the times | Thursday January 13 2022 55
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Pasquini joined the RAF in 1952,
becoming a bombing instructorJoe Pasquini “saw the face of
God” in the blinding thermo-
nuclear explosion below him.
Seconds after the light faded,
his aircraft flew directly into its
growing mushroom cloud. As he
entered the white plume at
46,000ft, the instruments he
was using to measure radiation
levels “popped and lit up like a
Christmas tree”. Through a
small navigation window he
spotted what was triggering the
devices: “radioactive rain” falling
from the sky around him.
The flight lieutenant was
among a handful of British air-
men with the RAF’s 76 Squad-
ron who were ordered to enter
hydrogen bomb clouds in the
1950s to collect samples of
radioactive isotopes and gases.
He was on board the first
modified Canberra bomber that
passed through the immediate
aftermath of Britain’s biggest
nuclear test blast in the Pacific
Ocean, known as Grapple Y.
Pasquini claimed he was told
the size of the bomb was “in the
ten-megaton range” — more
than three times larger than the
3.2 megatons that were logged
in official Ministry of Defence
records, and nearly a hundred
times the size of the atomic
bomb dropped on Hiroshima in
1945 by the United States.
“We knew we would be flying
in, but we didn’t know if we
would be flying out,” he said,
adding that none of the crew
wore lead or any other protec-
tive clothing.
He was on board several
flights through toxic nuclear
bomb clouds. During a different
detonation, he recalled watch-
ing the formation of the “fiss
ball”, the term soldiers used to
describe the fission reaction,
which creates a hovering infer-
no in the air. He made four cuts
through its cloud, three through
the stem and one peripheral cut
into the mushroom head.
“The twisting white, yellow,
red and green would just melt
anything that entered,” he said.
“As the heat dissipated, the
colours changed to grey, with
the occasional flashes of red and
yellow popping out the side.
Then the ball rolled into a
cloud, which started to rise.
At a certain altitude, the
centre dropped out, creating the
stem. We descended from
45,000ft to 40,000 and
approached the stem, carefully
monitoring the radiation
instruments and the jet pipe
temperatures.”
Under the Official Secrets
Act, Pasquini was required to
remain silent for 50 years about
what he had seen. He stored
away his records of the radiation
readings he had taken during
the flights, which he said contra-
dicted the official readings
logged by the Atomic Weapons
Results Establishment.
During the last 21 years of his
life he suffered nearly a dozen
bouts of cancer for which he
blamed his exposure to unsafe
levels of radiation during the
tests. He became a campaigner
for nuclear justice, using his
documents and experience to
support the case of other
veterans who began legal action
against the MoD. About 22,000
servicemen took part in the
experiments, with some of them
recalling being “close enough to
ground zero to see sand turn to
glass”. Some claimed their
children were born with disabil-
ities as a result of their exposure.
Many nuclear powers, includ-
ing the US, China, Canada and
France, have compensation
schemes for the veterans who
took part in similar nuclear
experiments. Britain remains
an outlier, offering servicemen
the opportunity to apply for
compensation but ultimately
arguing that it has seen no
firmly established causal link
between the tests and ill health.
Pasquini’s belief that the MoD
had “massively understated” the
dangers prompted him to be-
come a campaigner for nuclear
test veterans in the UK. Despite
devoting his working life to RAF
flying, he found, he said, a
“higher purpose” in his cam-
paigning, working with organisa-
tions such as the British Nuclear
Test Veterans Association.
Renzo Joseph Pasquini was
born to Italian parents in
London in 1933. His father, Me-
notti Pasquini, of Tuscany, held
the title of “Cavaliere”, the Italian
equivalent of a knighthood, and
was a sculptor. His mother,
Aurora, was a housewife who
became a cook at a restaurant
during the Second World War.
He spent his childhood in
London during the Blitz. At first,
when the Luftwaffe attacked
during the day, his family took
refuge in the local air raid shelter.
This changed when the Ger-
mans began bombing at night
and other locals refused thementry, as they were Italian and
therefore “the enemy”. The Pas-
quinis instead sheltered under a
kitchen table with two English
neighbours, who were pacifists.
The next morning they found
the shelter they were turned
away from had taken a direct hit.
On other occasions Pasquini
was strafed by a Luftwaffe
fighter while in a paddling pool
and watched an incendiary-
induced firestorm burn the
London Docks for a week.
After surviving more than
1,000 raids Pasquini was critical
of the German engineers who
designed the Luftwaffe’s “atro-
cious” bombing systems.
“The Luftwaffe liked to adver-
tise — and to strike fear and
terror in the civilian population
they deliberately desynchro-
nised their bomber aeroplane
propellers, which gave their
engines an unmistakable and
distinctive harmonic reverber-
ating noise,” he recalled. “The
Junkers 87 dive-bombers were
equipped with diving sirens,
again with the express purpose
of terrifying those below.”
He said that more than 5 per
cent of the bombs that were
dropped were “spinners”, which
meant they toppled “head over
heel” on their way to the ground.
“These bombs cannot be aimed
and are in effect ‘wild cards’
and more than half failed to
explode, which provided more
problems the following day,
as they had to be located and
defused.”
Pasquini joined the RAF andFOR if you remain silent at this time, relief
and deliverance for the Jews will arise from
another place, but you and your father’s
family will perish. And who knows but that
you have come to your royal position for
such a time as this? Esther 4.14 (NIV)
Bible verses are provided by the
Bible SocietyBirths, Marriages and Deaths
Births
FLINN on 7th January 2022 in Hong Kong,
to Alexandra (née Morris) and Jonathan, a
daughter, Isabella Fifi Pixie.Forthcoming Marriages
MR R. C. M. PEAL
AND MISS E. L. BASSETT
The engagement is announced between
Robert, son of Mr and Mrs Charles Peal of
North Warnborough, Hampshire, and
Emma, daughter of Mr and Mrs Neil Bassett
of Porthleven, Cornwall.
MR J. I. SURKES
AND MISS I. C. RUDD
The engagement is announced between
Jonah, elder son of Dr Anthony Surkes and
Mrs Andrea Surkes of Hertfordshire, and
Isobel, elder daughter of Mr Perry Rudd
and Ms Karen Haigh of Clifton, Bristol.Deaths
BARCLAY James. A private cremation
service will be followed by a service of
celebration for his life at Lincoln Cathedral,
Thursday 20th January, 2pm. Donations in
memory made payable to the Hunt Staff
Benefit Society and/or Lincs & Notts Air
Ambulance may be left at the cathedral or
sent to J. Marshall Funeral Directors,
51 Queen Street, Market Rasen, LN8 3EN.
BAYLEY Patience (née Clark) died
peacefully on 20th December 2021.
Funeral at St Andrew’s Church, Old
Headington, Oxford, Friday 28th January,
12.30pm. No flowers.
BELL Mary Helen died peacefully on
30th December 2021, aged 88. Much-loved
sister of George and Jane, aunt of James,
Tom, Andrew, Susie, Robert and Duncan.
Funeral at the Cloister Chapel, Warriston
Crematorium, Edinburgh, at 12.30pm on
Friday 21st January 2022.
DAVIES Jane (formerly Bentham) died
peacefully at home after a long illness,
fantastically cared for by Sue Ryder, on
December 28th 2021, aged 75. Loving and
beloved wife of Hugh, adored mother of
Timothy and Henrietta, wonderful Ga/
Granny of William, Jemima, Tom, Zak, Basil
and Sami, stepmother of Andrew, Shân,
Chris and Kate and step-grandmother to
Matt, Billy, Alex, Flora, Marney, Olly, Henry
and Wilbur. Jane’s positive personality and
bright disposition will be dearly missed.
Service to be held for family and close
friends at Shiplake Church on Wednesday
January 19th 2022 at 2pm, please wear
bright colours. Web link and donations
available from Tomalins, via:
janedavies.muchloved.com
EARLE Michael George passed away
peacefully on 21st December 2021. Michael
will be greatly missed by all his family,
friends and all who knew him. Funeral will
be held at St Mary’s Church, Hambleden, on
Saturday 15th January 2022 at 10.30am.
Family flowers only. Donations if desired
will be given to the Royal British Legion
via michaelearle.muchloved.com or sent
c/o Tomalin & Son, 38 Reading Road,
Henley-on-Thames, Oxon, RG9 1AG.
FULLER Bryony Jane passed away
peacefully on Christmas morning, aged 70
years. Loving mother to George and Claire
and grandmother to Olivia and Elliot. Her
joyous spirit on life will be greatly missed
by all who were lucky enough to meet her.
A service to celebrate her life will be held at
St Michael & All Angels’ Church, West
Overton, on Friday 21st January 2022 at
11.30am. Family flowers only. Donations, if
desired, for Riding for the Disabled, Injured
Jockeys Fund and the Royal Air Forces
Association, c/o Dianne Mackinder Funeral
Service, Wagon Yard, Marlborough,
SN8 1LH. Tel (01672) 512444.
GIBSON Michael Peter Cecil died
peacefully on 8th January 2022, aged 81
years, in New Zealand. Dearly loved and
loving husband of Kristin for 49 years.
Treasured father of Amy, Eleanor and
Imogen. Adored grandpa of Emily, Piperita,
Leo, Phoebe and Alexandra. Beloved brother
of Nicholas and Vicky. Funeral was held in
Wellington NZ. [email protected]
GILES David George on 3rd January 2022,
aged 81, peacefully at home in East Sheen,
London. Ship broker, a lover of wine, ballet,
opera, art, history, travel and Arsenal, a
wonderful husband, father and
grandfather. Survived by his loving wife
Jennifer, children Drew, Alison, Duncan and
William, and grandchildren Ollie and Flo.
Cremation Wednesday 9th February 2022,
1.20pm, Mortlake Crematorium. No flowers.
Donations to Lymphoma Research Trust,
charity number 263424.
LUGG Anthony Alfred Clervaux Friel died
on 15th December 2021. Only son of the
late Peter and Margaret Lugg. Brother of
Susie Stevenson and uncle of Eloise, James
and Rupert. Inquiries:
[email protected]PEARSE Anthony Allen, Commander
“Tony” passed away peacefully on
27th December 2021, aged 98. Loved
and mourned by his children, Iona,
Andrew and William, and by his
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survived also by his elder sister, Pamela.
Cremation will be attended by close family
only. A service of thanksgiving and
remembrance is to be held at St John’s
Church, Boldre, Lymington, at noon on
Monday 31st January 2022. Inquiries can be
made by email to [email protected]
PROUDMAN Antony on 5th January
2022, aged 88. Died peacefully at home.
Dearly loved by all his family: husband of
Elizabeth Morison (née Buxton), father of
Kate, Hugh and James, and grandfather of
George, Alice, Lucy and Emma. Funeral
inquiries to Steel’s, Winchester: 01962- Family flowers only. Donations to
Emmaus, Hampshire, c/o Steel’s.
SWAYTHLING The Dowager Lady
Swaythling, Ninette, (née Dreyfus) on 22nd
December 2021, aged 94. Beloved wife of
the late David Swaythling and much-loved
mother of Fiona (dc’d), Charles and Nicole
and grandmother of Delilah. A private
funeral has taken place. Donations if
desired to Nightingale Hammerson,
105 Nightingale Lane, London SW12 8NB.
TOMSETT Sally on 6th January 2022,
aged 88, of Pitney, Somerset. Memorial
service at St John the Baptist Church,
Pitney, Somerset, on Friday 4th February at
noon. Inquiries or donations, if desired,
made payable to St John the Baptist
Church, Pitney, may be forwarded to
Forsey and Son Funeral Directors, Pound
Pool, Somerton, Somerset TA11 6LZ.
Memorial Services
ELLIOT Tara Louise Winifred (née
Weldon) at St Luke’s Sydney Street, London
SW3 6NH on 17th March 2022 at 2pm
followed by a reception at Chelsea Old
Town Hall, SW3 5EE. Please email your
attendance to Sally Cockcroft at
[email protected]In Memoriam - Private
BUCKLEY June on 13th January 2021,
aged 60. In loving memory of June
Buckley. LY DK. xxxLODER
Victor Martin
04/09/1941-13/01/2016
In memory of my courageous and
dignified man.
i carry your heart
(i carry it in my heart)
Trish020 7782 7553
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newsukadvertising.co.ukFlight Lieutenant Joe Pasquini
RAF navigator who claimed the defence ministry covered up the scale of its nuclear tests
became a bomb aimer after
qualifying as a navigator in 1952.
He went on to become a
bombing instructor and a
bombing leader at Bomber
Command Bombing School at
RAF Lindholme.
It was his experience of flying
at high altitudes that led to him
being selected to take part in
Britain’s secretive hydrogen
bomb tests. The UK conducted
12 atmospheric nuclear tests
between 1952 and 1957 on
Australian territories at
Maralinga, Emu Field and
Montebello Island. Nine bigger
blasts followed over the next
two years on Christmas Island
(now Kirimati) and Malden
Island in the central Pacific
Ocean. The tests concluded in
1967 and were the largest tri-
service event since the D-Day
landings.
The Grapple Y nuclear blast
was the most powerful detona-
tion. It exploded at 8,000ft, with
Pasquini noting: “Even with our
eyes closed we could see the
light through our eyelids. It took
49 seconds for the light to stop.
Fortunately being in the navi-
gating position, I had a little
window and I watched the
whole thing develop and spread
and then start climbing.”
On their way to the testing
islands, Pasquini and other RAF
airmen had been temporarily
stationed near Adelaide, South
Australia’s cosmopolitan coastal
capital. Locals took many of
them into their homes and gave
them tours of the vineyards and
beaches. Pasquini’s height and
dance moves caught the eye of
Roberta Thomas. He made the
first approach, sparking a long-
distance romance that lasted a
year before she moved to
England to be with him. They
chose to marry on Battle of Brit-
ain Day in 1961 and later settled
in the US. Roberta survives him
with their two daughters, who
lead private lives.
The UK conducted its last
nuclear test on November 26,- More than 1,000 partici-
pants pursued compensation
from the MoD through the
courts. The group litigation was
ultimately heard in the Supreme
Court. In 2012 justices ruled in
favour of the MoD.
Flight Lieutenant Joe Pasquini,
nuclear test veteran, was born
on January 30, 1933. He died of
cancer on August 6, 2021, aged 88The Countess of Wessex
this afternoon called upon
Lolwah Rashid Mohammed
Al-Khater (Assistant Foreign
Minister and Spokesperson,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs) at
Park View Villas and met
women who had recently left
Afghanistan.
Her Royal Highness this
evening attended a Women in
Leadership Dinner at
Qalamkarri, Banyan Tree
Doha.St James’s Palace
12th January, 2022
The Princess Royal, President,
RedR UK, this morning
received Ms Joanne de Serrano
(Chief Executive Officer).Court Circular
Ambassador, International
Agency for the Prevention of
Blindness, this morning visited
Qatar Fund for Development,
Laffan Tower.
The Countess of Wessex,
Global Ambassador,
International Agency for the
Prevention of Blindness,
afterwards called upon Dr
Hanan Al Kuwari (Minister of
Public Health).
Her Royal Highness, Global
Ambassador, International
Agency for the Prevention of
Blindness, later called upon
Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al
Thani (Vice-Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, Qatar
Foundation).Windsor Castle
12th January, 2022
The Duke of Cambridge, on
behalf of The Queen, held an
Investiture at Windsor Castle
this morning.
The Queen was represented
by the Very Reverend
Professor David Fergusson
(Dean of the Chapel Royal in
Scotland) at the Funeral of the
Reverend George Cowie
(Chaplain to The Queen in
Scotland) which was held in
New Kilpatrick Church,
Bearsden, Glasgow, today.Kensington Palace
12th January, 2022
The Duke of Cambridge, Joint
Patron, the Royal Foundation
of The Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge, this afternoon
held a Meeting of the
Earthshot Prize.St James’s Palace
12th January, 2022
The Countess of Wessex today
undertook engagements in
Doha, Qatar.
Her Royal Highness, GlobalIN PROCEEDINGS IN THE ROYAL
COURTS OF JUSTICE REFRENCE
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Regarding payment out from Court of
proceeds of sale of property. This
notice requires Anthony Hall previously
of 45 Percy Street, Liverpool, L20 4PG
to inform the Court in writing of his
current address for service within 28
days or the Court will proceed without
further notice to him. The Courts
address is: Royal Courts of Justice,
Strand, London, WC2A 2LL.
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