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Article: Perspective: Secret catalogue of horrors in chambers of death; A fresh inquest is to take place into the death of a young serviceman 50 years ago in nerve gas tests at Porton Down. Pete Harrison looks back at the secret tests that could shame Britain.(Features)
- Article from:
- The Birmingham Post (England)
- Article date:
- November 21, 2002
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Pete Harrison
It was May 4, 1953, when Ken Earl was ushered into a chamber at Porton Down chemical and biological research centre and took his place at seat number four.
He put on a respirator and rolled up his sleeve as one of the scientists decanted 20 droplets of a clear liquid on to a felt patch taped to his left forearm.
'I was that naive, I thought they were putting some kind of cold virus on me,' he said. 'And you believe what your superior officers tell you. I came out feeling hot and sweaty, but otherwise I was okay.'
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