A Southend veteran has finally been awarded a medal from the King for his nuclear testing work nearly 70 years ago, after he was initially snubbed.

Godfrey Hunt, 93, worked as a civilian scientist in Maralinga, South Australia, after the Second World War. He was involved in Operation Buffalo, the largest ever nuclear test series held in the country.

During two testing periods between 1956-57, he acquired radiation doses more than 32 times the recommended limit for the general population. But despite being eligible for a Nuclear Testing Medal, Mr Hunt did not hear back from the Medal Office in April.

Echo:

Anna Firth, MP for Southend West, raised the issue in the House of Commons with The Rt Hon Jonny Mercer, Minister for Veterans.

In his response, Mr Mercer told Ms Firth: "I pay tribute to Godfrey and all those who served in that programme. I recognise the frustration with this process. It has taken 60 years to get to this point.

"I want to see those medals on chests on Remembrance Day, and getting these things through Government and so on is not easy. I have made it very clear to officials, and I make it very clear to them again today, that I expect those medals to be on veterans’ chests on Remembrance Sunday this year.

"I will strain every sinew in Government to make sure that happens."

This week, Mr Hunt finally received his long-awaited recognition.

Ms Firth said: “I was hugely pleased to help provide Godfrey with his highly deserved Nuclear Service medal. His service and dedication should be recognised as a member of the Southend community who has contributed so much to our country.”

A grateful Mr Hunt added: “Receipt of my medal has felt very rewarding to me for this part of my career. Seventy years of Peace has vindicated its success.”