VETERANS from the Isle of Wight have shared their incredible, unique experiences of the part they played in Britain's nuclear weapons test programme of the late 1950s.

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But only recently did the government recognise their pivotal role in history with the commission and award of the Nuclear Test Medal.

Isle of Wight County Press: Christmas Island in 1957.Christmas Island in 1957. (Image: Bob Newnham)

Isle of Wight County Press: The first H-bomb detonation off Christmas Island in the Pacific.The first H-bomb detonation off Christmas Island in the Pacific. (Image: Bob Newnham)

Isle of Wight County Press: A copy of the Mid Pacific News, given to all service personnel during Operation Grapple.A copy of the Mid Pacific News, given to all service personnel during Operation Grapple. (Image: Bob Newnham)

Of the 22,000 service personnel who took part in the nuclear tests, less than 1,500 have survived. 

A number of Islanders took part in several months of nuclear bomb testing between 1957-58, but Ron Bostwick and Bob Newcombe, both aged 86, and who hail from London, are still around to tell the tale of their incredible posting to the Pacific atoll of Christmas Island.

Amid the Cold War, Britain carried out the tests — nine detonations, under the name, Operation Grapple — to demonstrate its nuclear capability to the world, particularly the Soviet Union.

Ron and Bob, like other service personnel, were unaware of the political significance of their work, due to the programme's covert nature, and who were given little prior warning before deployment.

Ron, of Spring Hill, Ventnor, was a sapper in the Royal Engineers.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ron Bostwick, of Ventnor, wearing his Nuclear Test Medal at the Remembrance Day service in Newport last November.Ron Bostwick, of Ventnor, wearing his Nuclear Test Medal at the Remembrance Day service in Newport last November. (Image: Ron Bostwick)

Isle of Wight County Press: Ron Bostwick on Christmas Island in 1957.Ron Bostwick on Christmas Island in 1957. (Image: Ron Bostwick)

An electrician, Bob served during three H-bomb tests — but slept through the first one, he joked.

He flew out to Christmas Island via Honolulu in 1957 and returned to Liverpool by ship, via the Panama Canal.

The 'air bursts' were carried out over the sea.

Of one particular detonation, Ron said: "When it came to 'Zero Day', we all had to face away when it went off. 

"It was very loud and you could feel the shock. The earth shuddered.

"Even with your eyes covered, you could see the flash. Those stood in front of you appeared as skeletons. You could see right through them.

"We counted to five before we uncovered our eyes, then looked at what happened.

"It was devastating to look at it — to see the mushroom cloud grow. It gave me a sense of what it was like when the bombs were dropped on Japan." 

Isle of Wight County Press: Bob Newcombe in 1957.Bob Newcombe in 1957. (Image: Bob Newcombe)

Isle of Wight County Press: The British aircraft carrier, HMS Warrior, in the Panama Canal, in 1957.The British aircraft carrier, HMS Warrior, in the Panama Canal, in 1957. (Image: Bob Newcombe)

One of his most interesting experiences during the tests was being within six feet of one of the H-bombs — and an unexpected meeting with Sir William Penney, the nuclear physicist who famously led Britain's development of the atomic bomb.

"I watched the bomb being loaded onto a Valiant bomber. It weighed three tons and just a little bigger than an oil drum," continues Ron.  

"The night before it was dropped, Sir William surprisingly turned up. He walked around the aircraft and asked if I was alright — then off he went! 

"He didn't want to be there for it. I was told he was frightened his blood would boil!"

On receiving his medal, he added: "I feel proud of being part of the programme. It's an achievement I'm glad to get recognition for."

Isle of Wight County Press: Bob Newcombe proudly holds his Nuclear Test Medal.Bob Newcombe proudly holds his Nuclear Test Medal. (Image: Bob Newcombe)

Isle of Wight County Press: The Nuclear Test Medal.The Nuclear Test Medal. (Image: Bob Newcombe)

Bob, of Newnham Road, Binstead, did his National Service on board aircraft carrier, HMS Warrior, as an engineer-mechanic and stoker early in 1957.

He travelled to Christmas Island via Jamaica and the Panama Canal, then visited ports in South America and the famous Pitcairn Islands, famous for 'Mutiny on the Bounty', on the return trip.

The role of Warrior was to carry servicemen for Operation Grapple — and to control and monitor tests.

"It was a very significant part of my life," said Bob.

"To see H-bombs detonate was something very few had experienced. It was incredible.

"We were 30 miles away from it. We sat with our backs to the explosion, goggles on and hands over them, with heads between the knees.

"The countdown started, then there was a flash, followed by a distant rumble, a strong wind and a light, the intensity of which we were aware of, even with our hands still over our eyes.

"We could see the bones in our hands, like an X-ray would show it.

"After a short time we were told we could turn round and face the explosion. A huge fireball, like a miniature sun, filled the sky in the distance, then shock waves and the sea pulled into a curling column of water.

"As we watched and took in what we'd just witnessed, the fireball diminished in intensity, until it looked just like a passing cloud that drifted away in the light wind."

When he left the navy, Bob embarked on a career in electronics, working for a company which ironically made atomic devices.

He moved to the Island in 1964 — joining Decca Radar (now BAE Systems) as an engineer, where he spent 32 years.

Bob concludes: "I'm pleased to have the medal — recognition of the time we spent doing something essential.

"I feel proud of my part in history."