Fight goes on for atom bomb ‘victim’ Walter

Walter Dunkerley, before he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

THE family of a man who they believe died from the effects of radiation following nuclear bomb testing, have vowed to fight on for official recognition.

As a young man, Walter Dunkerley headed out from Oldham for Christmas Island off the coast of Australia as one of the RAF’s newest recruits.

His mission was to aid the forces during tests when nuclear bombs were detonated in the Indian Ocean.

He was among a throng of people who were told it was safe to watch the mushroom cloud as it spread high into the sky, provided they shielded their eyes from the blinding light at detonation.

His death from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma almost 40 years later at the age of 57, convinced his family the experience ultimately led to his death.

And they have vowed to fight on for recognition of the fact as the Ministry of Defence continues to deny there is any link.

His son, Neil, said: “Dad took part in the clean-up operations after the bombs were dropped.

“He thought it was wonderful. He was 19 and found himself on a paradise island in the sun, swimming in the sea and fishing, he loved it.

“He didn’t think it would do him any harm. If he had known what the outcome would be, I think he would have had second thoughts about being there.

“The maximum length of time people were supposed to be on the island was 12 months, but dad was there for 18 months because he broke a leg and stayed to recover.”

Mr Dunkerley told his sons, Neil and Mark, of the incredibly intense heat from explosions, felt as he stood on the beach to watch the spectacle.

“He said it was as he imagined it would be like to stand next to the sun for a second or two,” said Neil.

But the Ministry of Defence maintains there is “no evidence to link illnesses with attendance at the nuclear tests.”

Mr Dunkerley was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in May, 1995, after he began to suffer bad sweats and a loss of strength. He was 56.

“He was diagnosed with lymphoma, then it was all downhill,” said Neil.

“It was horrendous to watch. He went from 16 stone of muscle to seven stone within a year.

“It was heartbreaking not just for his family but for him as well. He had always looked after himself, he didn’t drink or smoke, he cycled to work at Osram in Shaw from Chadderton every day, and he was the fittest man I knew.

“It broke his heart, and the whole family are in no doubt that his death was linked to what happened on Christmas Island.”

Mr Dunkerley died in June the following year.

Neil (40), of High Crompton, blames the four miscarriages his parents had before he and his brother were born on the nuclear tests.

And he wonders if there is a genetic link which resulted in his wife having two miscarriages before the birth of their daughter Sasha, now 19, and a further 10 years of unsuccessfully trying to have another baby.

Mr Dunkerley’s family joined other families in a failed court battle for compensation from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

But Neil said: “The fight will go on, and until the MOD admits that it failed in its duty of care to the servicemen and women on Christmas Island, the veterans and their families will not surrender.”

Andrew Robathan, Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans said: “While I have tremendous sympathy with anyone who is ill, the court accepted arguments that the general merits of the claims were extremely weak and said that the claimants had produced no evidence to link illnesses with attendance at the nuclear tests.

“We recognise the invaluable contribution of all service personnel who took part in the nuclear testing programme.”