Norman Beattie
"You were able to see the bones in your own hands and there was a blast of heat."
The story...
Norman takes us to 1957 and his time on Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean. On this day Norman witnessed something that stayed with him for the rest of his days…
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During his time on Christmas Island Norman sent home some unusual presents to his family in Belfast. In the video below his sister Joyce explains.
The second video is the official footage of the H-Bomb test on Christmas Island, witnessed by Norman.
Select a video
Norman's sister Joyce - Christmas Island tests
Listen to Norman describe Christmas Island -
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Comment on Norman's story
Name: Mary
Date: 09/10/2008
Comment: Unbelievable. What a story. I feel i am still in shock. The gov has alot to answer for.
Name: Alan Withers
Date: 23/06/2008
Comment: Uncle Norman was a great inspiration to me, like my sister Liz I waited in anticipation to Normans next visit home, the stories of the exciting world outside N Ireland fascinated me. The coconut Uncle Norman sent home from Christmas Island had pride of place in our sitting room. I can not recount the number of times I attempted to break open that coconut, thankfully I did not succeed. Uncle Norman had a special place in my mum’s heart and mine, he will always be remembered, Alan.
Name: Harold Beattie
Date: 17/06/2008
Comment: Norman was the brother of my late father William and it moved me immensely to hear his voice on the Radio repeating the story which he told me as a very young boy. I would always listen intently to Norman's stories as they were always about the "exotic" places he had served in. A tall, quiet unassuming gentleman, Norman will always have a place amongst my fondest recollections. Thank you Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ for this fitting tribute.
Name: Liz Fetherstonhaugh
Date: 16/06/2008
Comment: I am Norman's niece. As a child, I used to love his trips home and got really excited when he, my Aunt Beanie and his son Alan came to visit. They always bought lovely presents with them and exciting stories of life outside Northern Ireland. He is sadly missed by all of us but he will never be forgotten. It was lovely to hear his voice telling just one more story. RIP Love Liz xx
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