Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your
contribution is not tax-deductible.)
PayPal Acct: 
Feedback: 
Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):
|
[ Edit | View ]
[> [>
Re: Porton Down, Wiltshire -- Peter Kay, 14/11/04 11:48:51
The Common Cold Research Centre was a satelite of Odstock Hospital, near Salisbury, and was never based at Porton Down. To the best of my knowledge, it was run and administed by the NHS or Ministery of Health, with all volunteers being members of the general public. Several of my friends did, however, attended various 'trials' at the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Warfare research establishment at Porton Down, Salisbury, which was a site sharing a common boundry with Boscombe Down, where we were based. To the best of my knowledge, none of these friends suffered lasting effects from these trials, although some did admit that some experiences were most unpleasent.
Pete Kay
[ Edit | View ]
[>
Re: Porton Down, Wiltshire -- John Cooper, 15/11/04 19:12:03
From the BBC News On Line page 15th Nov 2004
The inquest on a young airman who died 51 years ago during secret nerve gas tests has ruled that he was unlawfully killed.
Ronald Maddison, 20, from County Durham, died after being exposed to sarin at Porton Down in Wiltshire.
The original inquest in 1953 ruled that Leading Aircraftman Maddison's death was caused by misadventure.
In 2002, the High Court quashed that verdict and ordered that a new inquest should be held.
After hearing 64 days of evidence, the jury concluded that the cause of Mr Maddison's death was "application of a nerve agent in a non-therapeutic experiment".
An MoD spokesman said: "The Ministry of Defence notes the jury's findings and will now take some time to reflect on these.
It was Russian Roulette, Ronald Maddison was just the first... they have got away with murder
Terry Alderson, 74, Porton Down veteran
"We will be seeking legal advice on whether we wish to consider a judicial review.
"We don't believe the verdict today has implications for other volunteers. However, we will consider the implications."
The original inquest was held behind closed doors "for reasons of national security".
Volunteer Terry Alderson, 74, said outside the court: "It was Russian Roulette, Ronald Maddison was just the first.
"Reading between the lines they have got away with murder - our health was never monitored afterwards and nobody knows how many died.
'Cold research'
"This shows what liars (the MoD) were - nobody volunteered for these tests. We were sent in there like sheep."
Prosecution lawyer Alan Kerr said: "We would now join with the Porton Down veterans in calling for a public inquiry."
Mr Maddison's family claimed he was tricked into taking part in the tests, and was told he was helping to find a cure for the common cold.
We would now join with the Porton Down veterans in calling for a public inquiry
Prosecution lawyer Alan Kerr
Mr Maddison was exposed to 200 milligrammes of sarin which was dropped on to a piece of uniform material wrapped around his arm.
The second inquiry was prompted after ex-serviceman Gordon Bell complained to Wiltshire Police that he had been duped into similar tests.
The constabulary launched Operation Antler which looked at experiments using chemical and biological agents at Porton Down government research centre between 1939 and 1989.
The operation found that the coroner at the original inquest was "not apparently provided with all the potentially available material".
The outcome could lead to legal action by veterans of Porton Down who claim they were duped into taking part in similar dangerous trials.
The hearing, at Trowbridge Magistrates' Court, lasted six months.
[ Edit | View ]
[>
Re: Porton Down, Wiltshire -- Terry K Offord, 19/06/05 7:30:13
>In 1959, I was stationed at RAF Wyton, SRO's published a request for 'volunteers' for research into the common cold.
Prior to joining the RAF in 1955, I had worked as a lab asst
for a manufacturing chemists, I was knowledgable about the a number of procedures relative to biology/physiology and chemistry, despite being a 'junior lab cadet'.N.S was in force those years and rather than wait for a call up, I volunteered to join the RAF in June 1955 where I enlisted as a photographer.
After trade training I was posted to RAF Seleter and later Changi, then in 1959 to RAF WYTON in Huntingdonshire. The cold war was raging and since Wyton was a 'V' bomber base, security/paranoia was rampant and thus myself, along with other servicemen serving at Wyton felt the place was akin to Alcatraz and thus, a trip to the 'Common Cold' experimental establishment at Porton Down (CDEE) seemed a good way of relaxing and avoiding the interminable bullshit and guard duties that were part and parcel of that dreadful RAF Base.
Prior to leaving for the CDEE, myself and other volunteers were entreated to NOT discuss this visit with anyone, not even our mother's.
Several experiments were carried outduring the period of our visit, none of which had even the remotest connection with the 'common cold'.I clearly recall that no-one in my group of servicemen were given even the most fundamental of medical checks made by the 'Doctors'.
A swift (but surreptitious) examination of some papers which were laying on a Laboratory desk suggested to me that the 'Doctors' were in fact, goverment scientific officers of various gradings and certainly none of those with whom I was involved had MD's.
My group and myself were involved in CS gas experiments, (that much I had ascertained from certain papers laying around) I recall being transported with others of my group to an Army Base where a number of static water tanks where we witnessed a number of rubber dingy's, manned by gentlemen wearing full anti-gas gear, masks, and white coveralls of the type used in chemical and biological plants, all the men wore rubber boots and gloves.
We were ordered to strip off and to jump into the water, meanwhile, the 'boffins' were busy pumping 'something' into the water.
Initially, it was pleasent, the weather was mild and a swim seemed like a good idea.
All of a sudden, anywhere there was hair on the body, head, armpits, pubic region, we were to notice a searing hot burning sensation and we all, as a man, leapt out of the tanks and ran for a shower, of course there were no showers and we suffered the burning sensation until such time as we had been driven back to the barracks where we were able to shower whereupon the burning sensation ceased.
There were other experiments in which we were told that 'they' needed to check out our lung capacity, this seemed o.k and I speculated that it was a good time to assess myself as a non smoker, with the guys who did smoke.
We then had a contraption placed on our heads and what I saw from the apparatus, we all had a shot of 'something' sent into our lungs, this was unpleasent but (appeared) to create no lasting effects at the time.
Other experiments included vision testing, (had the CS gas affected our vision) measurements of inhalation/exhalation, heart rate etc.
To my train of thought, I felt that the experiments left a lot to be desired, for example, no-one was questioned as to whether or not they were asthmatic,no one was ever given a BP check before any experient and in fact, only after the CS gas introduction into our lungs were we given a check and that, only to assist the perpetrators, not for our wellbeing.
Other physical tasks were carried out, presumably in order to gain knowledge of the effects of whatever the British Government version of the German Nazi party's medical experiments were to reveal.
For the rest of my life, I have often wondered why I suffer so much from a sore throat, why I have suffered several skin complaints, at the time, I had thought that the RAF and our government would not put our people at risk, now, many years later, I realise that not only the British government, but also the American and Australian governments have all colluded in the sharing of 'top secret' live experiments which were perpetrated on trusting and loyal servicemen. It is only when problems have arisen that one notes the avoidence on the part of government agents of anything that remotely connects them to injuries and deaths which they and they alone have inflicted on their servicemen.
Should anyone wish to connect, my email address is there for your use.
I would add that after the tour of RAF Wyton, I remustered into Air Traffic Control and spent an enjoyablefurther ten years at RAF Shawbury, Changi, HK,& K.L with short visits to Negombo and Gan.
I am contacting the RAF Records office concerning my 'stay' at CDEE but I doubt that I shall be able to procure my medical records.
[ Edit | View ]
[> [>
Re: Porton Down, Wiltshire -- John Cooper, 19/06/05 8:04:32
Terry
That is the most comprehensive missive I have seen on Porton Down and thank you for taking the time for posting it.
It never fails to amaze me after all these years of the stories that I am receiving, and it doesn't stop here because 'things' have happened at Deepcut and elsewhere more recently.
I am sure that there will be some replies to this other than from myself(you can post anonymously if you wish)one thing though if this story is ever 'wiped' from my computer I and others will have this on other discs that cannot be deleted.
40 of us ex Vets had a reunion last Sunday and some of the stories coming outwould astound you, especially the piece on 'bullsh!t'
[ Edit | View ]
[> [> [>
Re: Porton Down, Wiltshire -- John Cooper, 20/06/05 5:42:53
Hi John
Very interesting. I can also confirm that SRO's definitely asked for volunteers at Porton for experiments into the common cold. Glad I didn't volunteer.
P
That was sent to me via email, I also confirm seeing the same. Strange isn't it that we have Saddam Hussein awaiting trial for a similar misdemeanour towards his own people and yet ours were 'volunteers' for a few extra pennies a day...
[ Edit | View ]
[> [>
Re: Porton Down, Wiltshire -- Terry K Offord, 8/07/05 8:46:59
Hello John, thanks for your acknowledgement of my Porton Down 'Common Cold' experience.I assure you that all of what I recalled was in the email. I would like to hear from anyone else who recalls the tricks and treatment offered by our glorious government, in particular, the radiation 'trials' (read experiments) on RAF personnel who had volunteered for the Christmas Island/Maralinga exposures. I know for a fact of the death of two RAF Corporals who died of cancer at a very early age, both had sustained radiation damage which was undoubtably the result of the uncontrolled radiation exposure sustained when separate 'devices'had been detonated on the island.
The Australian government was also involved in these experiments and they were equally complicit in having used live, 'volunteers' all of whom were exposed to nuclear blasts. Australia can lay claim to having used many of its servicemen (in the 1940-'43 period) for the totally insane 'checking' of Mustard Gas exposure to bare skin, from which, these cynical Nazi like experiments were used to determine the effects of the gas under tropical conditions. The experiments were carried out in Darwin.The use of servicemen under such circumstances must surely raise the question of Human Rights, after all
Sadam Hussein, Idi Amin, Pol Pot and the current Chinese Government are all equally guilty of similar 'war crimes' and amazingly, these thugs are collectively condemned by the self rightous scum we endure as our glorious
leaders.
My feeling is that as many people as possible should be informed of the duplicity, and amorality displayed by our governments, perhaps someone, somewhere may then make
comment on their criminal acts.
Where is Mr Anan when he's needed? No doubt enjoying another overseas trip, perhaps the United Nations could enter the fray?
Trouble is I feel, many who have suffered simply want to forget the issues, either that or they are scared of what such issues will unfold, although with governments such as the British or Australian, and yes, the Americans, it certainly makes one think about retribution, since all the the aforementioned pay a massive army of ner'do wells, no hopers, shiny arses and self important public servants who are adept at converting fact into fiction, they 'loose' important but relevant information and they wouldn't know what truth meant if it fell on them, one has only to read about the SS/Gestapo/CIA/610 Office of China all of whom are of the same ilk, only the time and places differ.
One may only hope for a day of full retribution to such morons tho' I doubt I shall be around to see it!
Cheers, looking forward to any reply. Terry 'O' Oz.
[ Edit | View ]
[> [> [>
Re: Porton Down, Wiltshire -- John Cooper, 9/07/05 7:58:43
Terry
I agree with your sentiments, a lot would not agree as nothing like that happened to themselves. The trouble is obtaining the evidence and 'who decides of the destruction or release of such documentation'
One snippet of information I gathered on an internal MoD memo probably not intended for my eyes but provided under the DPA 1998 was that the Air Historical Branch when moving from Gt Scotland Yard to RAF Bentley Priory some 4 years ago had to move 1.75 miles of shelving of classified material (secret) with a similar amount declassified.
I try to think of this amount of documentation, but it is not in my imagination to even contemplate what might be in there. The 'official' release of some documentation does not bear any semblance of truth to those who tell it as an eye witness to an event which on occasions is supported by a scond witness, etc.
We are supposed to live in a democratic society, I am afraid that Mr Blairs democracy is a little different to the world I was brought up in but there again whatever we know or write will never be the 'official line' and it will be us that will be made to look and feel like liars.
Take for example Al Q'aeda, is this 'group' a figment of Governments imagination to brainwash the masses?
|
Forum timezone: GMT+0 VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB: Before posting please read our privacy policy. VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems. Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved. |