A man from Llanfair Caereinion is among hundreds of nuclear test veterans in Britain who are due to receive medals in recognition of their service following an “emotional” reunion.

In 1957, Brian Davies experienced the heat of a 1.8 megaton hydrogen bomb while he was stationed on Christmas Island, one of 22,000 servicemen who were subjected to nuclear weapons testing.

In September 2023, Mr Davies was invited to a reunion of surviving nuclear test veterans, who are currently awaiting medals promised in recognition of their service.

Mr Davies said: “It is brilliant to see the promise of recognition in the form of a medal finally on its way, and it was lovely to be reunited with so many faces I haven’t seen in decades.

“It was very emotional, especially in light of achieving what we have been fighting for years to obtain.”

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The medals were announced in November 2022, as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described the decoration as a “fitting tribute to the incredible contribution that you have made. It is an enduring symbol of our gratitude.”

Describing his first-hand experience of witnessing a nuclear weapon, Mr Davies added: “We were lined up like Guinea pigs, with no idea of what was about to happen.

“I remember feeling a heat on my back that was like putting your back against an oven, then I put my hands up to my face and could see the outline of my bones through my skin as if it had become see-through.

“There are only a handful of people in the world who can relate to that experience, and even fewer who are still with us.”

While the medals have been secured and are scheduled to be delivered to surviving veterans this autumn, campaign organiser Alan Owen says he would like to see an official ceremony to present the men with their decorations.

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He said: “The campaign has been frustrating at times over the years, as it’s been a lot of hard work just getting in front of the right people.

“You could see what a major moment it was at the reunion, as there were tears and emotions, it all got quite overwhelming.

“It’s especially significant because Britain’s nuclear testing programme is rarely taught or discussed. I recall one veteran telling me that he felt as if he’d been airbrushed out of history. These men, many of whom would have been 18 years old at the time, were exposed to nuclear weapons and then seemingly forgotten.

“It was a massive programme, involving 22,000 people over 15 years, people who have since had to live with illnesses and health problems.

“We are disappointed to not be getting an official medal ceremony but we will continue to campaign for these veterans to receive one, as I think it’s the least this country can do for them.”