Following many years of campaigning, in November 2022, the British Government announced the creation of a new medal intended to recognise the contribution of military and civilian personnel that took part in the various programmes aimed at developing nuclear weapons to be used by the British Armed Forces.

[1] The announcement was made to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the first UK nuclear test.

[3] The medal features a crowned effigy of Charles III facing right with the inscription CHARLES III DEI GRATIA REX FID DEF on the obverse, while the reverse shows an atom design surrounded by olive branches, with the words NUCLEAR TEST MEDAL beneath.

[note 1][5] The medal can also be awarded to any UK personnel that participated in Operation DOMINIC, a series of atmospheric nuclear tests undertaken by the United States in locations including the island of Kiritimati between April and October 1962.

[5] To be awarded, the recipient should have served either as a member of the armed forces, or as civilian personnel in one of the named operational areas.