The nation owes them an overdue debt of gratitude

NUCLEAR heroes who were involved in hydrogen bomb testing by foreign nations during the Cold War are to be honoured with a medal.

- BY SUSIE BONIFACE

Hundreds of veterans who tracked and photographed massive French and Chinese explosions in the Pacific for the RAF and Royal Fleet Auxiliary will finally be commemorated.

The men were previously deemed ineligible for the nuclear test medal, under narrower criteria set by the last Tory government.

Defence Secretary John Healey said: "Our nuclear test veterans helped to build the foundations for the UK's security and freedoms that we enjoy today. The nation owes them an overdue debt of gratitude."

The nuclear test medal was announced in 2022, and nearly 6,000 have been given to veterans of British bomb tests in Australia and Christmas Island between 1952 and 1967.

Now Royal Fleet Auxiliary civilian crew who monitored tests from the sea and RAF crew involved in taking samples of clouds after French tests until 1974 and Chinese tests up to 1980 will also be eligible for the honour.