Colonel John de Candole MC, President the Milford on Sea Branch of The Royal British Legion, was a surprise additional guest at a family reunion for David Brockett on Sunday 24th March 2024. David was a former General Manager of The Chewton Glen Hotel.
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| David Brockett Nuclear Test Medal holder |
David Brockett served as a Catering officer in the RAF between 1957 and 1959 and was on Christmas Island during the tests in 1958.
The servicemen present at the nuclear tests were required to turn their backs to the explosion and then to turn around to witness the results.
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| Colonel John de Candole MC, David Brockett & family |
The fact that Colonel de Candole presented the medal was of particular note as he also wears the same medal for witnessing earlier tests in Australia.
After the surprise presentation the two veterans were able to compare their experiences surrounded by David’s family and friends.
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About Col. John de Candole, M.C.
Colonel de Candole has been a British Defense and Military Attache.
On 12th February 1954 he was commissioned into the 1st King's Dragoon Guards regiment.
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| Nuclear Test Medal |
He was twice Mentioned in Despatches, once while on active service in Malaya, and again while serving in Ulster. He was awarded the Military Cross during internal security operations in Aden.
He was also awarded the Nuclear Test Medal for witnessing nuclear tests in Australia.
On 14th October 1982, in Johannesburg, Colonel de Candole addressed the South African Military History Society with a talk on the 1st King's Dragoon Guards.
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