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Five Chelsea Pensioners were presented with the new Nuclear Test Medals by the Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. The medals recognise their contribution during the UK and US atmospheric testing programmes. 

In November 2023, the Prime Minister announced the new medal to honour the service of the British and Commonwealth veterans and civilians involved in the UK and US atmospheric testing programmes. The award is for the significant contribution of approximately 22,000 personnel who participated in the programme and its preparatory and clear-up phases, between 1952 and 1967.

The new medal is awarded to those who served in locations where UK atmospheric nuclear tests were conducted under Operation HURRICANE, Opertation TOTEM, Operation MOSAIC, Operation BUFFALO, Operation GRAPPLE, Operation ANTLER. In addition, UK personnel who served at locations where American atmospheric nuclear tests took place under Operation DOMINIC will also be eligible for the medal. 

The operational areas for the medal are defined as the territories, waters and airspace of the locations where tests were conducted. This includes Christmas Island, Emu Field (Australia), Malden Island (Kiribati), Maralinga (Australia), Montebello Islands (Australia), South Australia and Western Australia.  

Medals were presented to Chelsea Pensioners Clive Baker, James Little BEM, Alister Sword, Michael Wickens for their service on Christmas Island and Ivor Williams for his service in Maralinga, Australia.