A Nuclear Test Medal has finally been awarded to a well known Bridlington resident.
Jim Crow, who is now 90, witnessed two gigantic nuclear bomb explosions near the South Pacific Christmas Islands, now known as Kiritimati, in 1958.
Downing Street agreed to the creation of a new medal in November 2021 after years of campaigning from veterans and charities, but Jim only received his medal recently after a family member contacted the government.
Around 40,000 British personnel participated in atomic and hydrogen bomb tests during the 1950s and 1960s.
Only around 1000 personnel involved in the tests are thought to still be alive.
Jim, a well known figure in the town due to his passion for cricket and football, moved to Bridlington during World War 2 from Hull.
He attended Hilderthorpe Junior School and Bridlington Grammar School and then worked as a apprentice at Plaxtons coach builders until he was 21 when he was drafted in for National Service to the RAF Signals Regiment, working with teleprinters and telephones.
He was flown to Christmas Island in the South Pacific for an eight month posting. There he witnessed two huge atomic bomb explosions. Jim said they had no ear defenders and were told to cover their eyes to protect them from the ‘flash’ produced by the bomb.
“The officers warned us we would feel a very brief, intense heat when the shockwaves from the blast spread out. We were told not to look at the explosion and felt the ground rumble as we sat with our backs to the test.
“The intense heat through my body was the most frightening thing I have ever felt….even though it lasted for a fraction of a second.”
At the time there were several thousand British personnel on the island and Jim lived in tent with huge crabs crawling around the area at night.
Added Jim: “It wasn’t that bad on the island and the food was really good. We played lots of football and cricket and Jim went on to represent the RAF against the Army and Navy.
Locally, Jim has been secretary for Bridlington Cricket Club since 1999 and also secretary for Bridlington Rovers Football teams for over 50 years.
Jim also played cricket for Bridlington United in the former Evening League.
He has been married to his wife Brenda for 63 years and is still familiar figure at sporting fixtures in the town.
