Nuclear Community Remembrance Virtual Museum Project
National Memorial Arboretum
Welcome to the National Memorial for our British Nuclear Test Veterans
The national memorial to the British Nuclear Veterans was one of the first memorials at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas. The culmination of fundraising and planning by long-standing National Executive Member and Trustee Robert ‘Bob’ Smith. The first memorial was erected on the site and dedicated on 15th May 2007. This date was chosen as it was the anniversary of the first British Test at Malden Island in 1957.
BNTVA Memorial NMA
Original Memorial unveiled May 2007
New Memorial 2012
Completed National Memorial 2018
Memorial Location
On the 3rd of October 2012 a new memorial was unveiled on the site. The date reflects the anniversary of the very first British Test and became National Atomic Veterans Awareness Day (NAVAD), a commemoration of the lives of those lost as a consequence of people working alongside radioactive material for the benefit of our nation NAVAD has been a focal point of remembrance for the British Nuclear Community ever since. The stone for the memorial was selected in December 2011 by Derek Heaps who at that time was the longest serving executive member of the BNTVA. This would be Derek’s final duty for the BNTVA as he sadly passed away in the April of 2012. During the unveiling ceremony, Derek was remembered by Bob Smith for all his work within the community, as Bob unveiled the new memorial he stated “This is for Derek, my friend and for all those other veterans who have passed, we will not let them be airbrushed out of history, this memorial will stand witness for the generations to come.“
On the 3rd of October 2018 the original plans for the new memorial created by Jeff Liddiatt and Nigel Heaps (Son of Derek and former Chairman of the BNTVA) came to fruition when the Nuclear Community Charity Fund sponsored extensions depicting the test sites were added to the memorial.
At each of these three alterations to the memorial, a dedication service has been performed by the Very Reverend Nicholas Frayling, Chaplain of the BNTVA. Nicholas has been the longest supporter and champion of the nuclear community in the role of Chaplain which he continues today.
If you have a story to share connected to this memorial or to the Nuclear Tests please contact us – email: curator@nucleartest.online
Resources for this memorial
National Memorial
National Memorial @ NMA
Original NMA Memorial 2007
Original Memorial unveiled May 2007
New NMA Memorial 2012
New Memorial in 2012
BNTVA Memorial NMA
Map of NMA Memorial
NMA Memorial QR Code
NMA Memorial QR Code
BNTVA Chaplain and Standard Bearers NMA
BNTVA Chaplain and Standard Bearers NMA 2007
Nuclear Community members await the unveiling of the new memorial. NMA
Nuclear Community members await the unveiling of the new memorial. NMA
Bob Smith unveils the new memorial
Bob Smith unveils the new memorial before BNTVA Chaplain and Jeff Liddiatt.
NAVAD 2018 Ceremony NMA View b
NAVAD 2018 Ceremony NMA View b
National Memorial Awaiting Extension Unveiling
National Memorial Awaiting Extension Unveiling
Last Post and Reveille NAVAD 2018
Last Post and Reveille NAVAD 2018
NAVAD 2018 Ceremony NMA View a
NAVAD 2018 Ceremony NMA View a
National Memorial Left Wing
National Memorial Left Wing
National Memorial Centre Stone
National Memorial Centre Stone
National Memorial Right Wing
National Memorial Right Wing
Completed National Memorial October 2018
Completed National Memorial October 2018
NCCF PO Box 8244 Castle Donington DE74 2BY Email office@thenccf.org NCCF Registered Charity No 1173544
Museum proudly maintained by BH Associates on behalf of the NCCF and the British Nuclear Community
The NCCF Remembrance project is funded by the AVF using monies made available by the Chancellor from the LIBOR Fines