Britain | Atomic number

Britain’s nuclear-test veterans want compensation

Other countries have accepted the argument for redress

Witnesses to the second test of Britain's Hydrogen bomb. 31st May 1957
Photograph: Mirrorpix

First came a flash that lit “the sky on fire”. Then Gordon Coggon saw the bones in his hands and blood pumping through his veins, as if he were looking at an X-ray. Next he felt an intense heat, like someone was “pushing a fire through his belly”. Around him men were shouting for their mums. He soon turned to look at the dark red, blue and green mass before him. The mushroom cloud “was a very awesome sight. But frightening at the same time.”

Explore more

This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “Atomic number”

From the September 21st 2024 edition

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

Explore the edition

More from Britain

Crew members during the commissioning of HMS Prince of Wales

Has the Royal Navy become too timid?

A new paper examines how its culture has changed

A pedestrian walks across the town square in Stevenage

A plan to reorganise local government in England runs into opposition

Turkeys vote against Christmas


David Lammy, Britain’s foreign secretary

David Lammy’s plan to shake up Britain’s Foreign Office

Diplomats will be tasked with growing the economy and cutting migration


Britain’s government has spooked markets and riled businesses

Tax rises were inevitable. Such a shaky start was not

Labour’s credibility trap

Who can believe Rachel Reeves?