British veterans say MoD failed them over US toxic water payout

They, and the tens of thousands of Americans who lived and worked at the camp at that time, did not know the water supply was contaminated.

The pollution was found to come from multiple sources, including a leaking fuel farm and dumped solvents from a dry cleaner’s, that had seeped through the ground and into the water wells.

A series of public health studies found there was an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease and some cancers for people who had lived on the base.

This included a 20% higher chance of developing acute myeloid leukaemia, the cancer that killed Joe’s wife, when compared to people stationed at another military base.

An outcry led to legislation being passed in the US to help those affected. President Biden signed a law in 2022 allowing compensation claims.

This is open to any service personnel from around the world, or their families, who lived at the base for at least 30 non-consecutive days over the four decades in question.

The BBC’s research suggests at least 205 British people would qualify.

But a two-year window to submit a compensation claim closes on 10 August.