British nuclear tests at Maralinga

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Between 1952 and 1963 the British Government, with the agreement and support of the Australian Government, carried out nuclear tests at three sites in Australia – the Monte Bello Islands off the Western Australian coast, and at Emu Field and Maralinga in South Australia.

An official history of the tests by JL Symonds, titled A History of British Atomic Tests in Australia, was published by the Department of Resources and Energy in 1985.

Maralinga was developed as the permanent proving ground site, following a request of the British in 1954. After its completion in 1956, it was the location of all trials conducted in Australia. It was developed as a joint facility with a shared funding arrangement.

Following the two major trials (Operation Buffalo in 1956 and Operation Antler in 1957) there were a number of minor trials, assessment tests and experimental programs dating from 1959 held at the range until 1963. Maralinga was officially closed following a clean-up operation (Operation Brumby) in 1967.

Records relating to Maralinga

Information about Maralinga is located in records created by a number of Commonwealth agencies. This information covers matters such as personnel who served in the area, security arrangements for the site, and technical and survey information (including meteorological reports).

Records held in Canberra
Title or description of record Date range Series number
Identification cards of employees at the Maralinga atomic test site 1955–67 A6242

Records held in Sydney
Title or description of record Date range Series number
Original plans (negatives), (Defence and Weapons Research) 1940–61 D1421
Correspondence files (Peace Officer Guard, Parafield) 1942–56 D2569
Index and reference cards to surveys 1942–78 D4461
Correspondence files (Long Range Weapon Establishment, Salisbury) 1947– D174
Maralinga policy and administrative records 1947–83 D4996
Maralinga reports, alphabetical series 1949–60 D1767
Drawings and maps relating to the Maralinga area 1951–69 D2118
Maralinga Project Drawing Register 1954–55 D4669
Copies of drawings and maps relating to the Maralinga area submitted to the Royal Commission 1955–69 D4776
Computation books of Maralinga surveys 1957–78 D5275

Photographic records held in Sydney
Title or description of record Date range Series number
Aerial photographs 1955–60 D4632
Aerial photographs 1965–69 D4633
Maralinga photographs 1956 D1826

Records held in Melbourne
Title or description of record Date range Series number
Miscellaneous records relating mainly to atomic and long range weapons testing 1929–69 M3881

Records held in Adelaide
Title or description of record Date range Series number
Photographs, films, drawings & glass negatives – Maralinga area 1953–61 D1768
Catalogue of drawings and maps relating to the Maralinga area 1954–83 D2117

 

The Royal Commission into British Nuclear Tests in Australia

In response to growing concerns about the safety standards observed during the conduct of the nuclear trials, especially with regard to measures taken to protect people from the exposure to ionising radiation, and the disposal of radioactive substances and toxic materials, the Australian Government established a Royal Commission in 1984 to inquire into these aspects of the tests. The Royal Commission into British Nuclear Tests in Australia during the 1950s and 1960s (CA 3993) gave considerable attention to the tests conducted in the Maralinga area.

Many of the records of the Royal Commission are publicly available, and may be viewed in the National Archives Canberra reading room. The most significant records are listed in the following table.

Records of the Royal Commission
Title or description of record Date range Series number
Transcripts of proceedings 1984–85 A6448
Statements received from United Kingdom witnesses 1985 A6449
Statements received from Australian witnesses 1984–85 A6450
Atomic Weapons Research Establishment Reports, 'Z' series 1984–85 A6454
Exhibits tendered before the Commission 1984–85 A6455
Original agency records transferred to the Commission, 'R' series 1984–85 A6456
Photographs relating to atomic tests 1985 A6457
Maps of atomic test sites 1985 A6458
Final report 1985 A6460
Computer printout – list of exhibits 1985 A6470
Computer printout – alphabetical index to witnesses 1984–85 A6471
Computer printout – numerical list of items, 'R' series 1984–85 A6472
Computer printout – numerical list of photographs 1985 A6479
Computer printout – numerical list of maps 1985 A6480
Computer printout – chronological list of newspaper articles of relevance to the Commission 1985 A6482
Computer printout – keyword index to transcripts 1984–85 A6483
Research team bibliography 1984–85 A6584