By
Chris Whyatt
2:08am Friday 4th June 2004
A CHINGFORD ex-serviceman is set to give evidence at a unique inquest re-opened 50 years after it was initially closed.Brian Elton, of Endlebury Road, was one of 25,000 servicemen who took part in secret military testing at the now-infamous Porton Down chambers in Wiltshire where, from 1939 up until recently, it is widely documented many people were treated like 'human guinea pigs'.
The new inquest centres around controversial circumstances surrounding the death of Ronald Maddison, back in May 1953.
Just 20 at the time, the aircraftsman dropped dead within an hour of having the nerve agent sarin dripped onto his arm.
At the time a verdict of misadventure was recorded, for reasons relating to national security, but following a police investigation, Wiltshire Coroner's office gave the go-ahead for a fresh inquest.
Mr Elto, will travel to Wiltshire, where he hopes to lend his support to fellow ex-servicemen.
The new inquest, at Trowbridge Coroner's Court, began on May 6 and is expected to last eight weeks.
He said: "I was put into a gas chamber myself, with CS gas. It was quite powerful and terrifying at the time.
"I've suffered from health problems with my chest, and panic attacks - that's how it's left me and I don't know why."
The retired teacher, Chingford born and bred, also told the Guardian how anyone who went through the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment faced the threat of a court martial, and a two-year prison sentence, if they spoke a word to anyone about what happened there.
That was lawful under the Official Secrets Act and Mr Elton felt able to break his silence only two years ago - 46 years after he went in.
Nerve, CS, mustard and tear gases were all tested on the servicemen and Mr Elton said: "It's frightening to look back at what happened. We thought it was just testing for the common cold."
"The outcome all rests on this particular case but if it's successful, justice would be done, and, we could push for compensation."