How did a live bomb become a garden ornament for 41 years?

Question

Accepted Answer

A Live Bomb Served as a Garden Ornament for 41 Years Due to a Series of Unquestioned Assumptions and Local History

A live bomb became a garden ornament for 41 years at the home of Sian and Jeffrey Edwards in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, UK, due to a belief it was a deactivated dummy and its placement in the early 1980s as part of the property's established aesthetic. The couple, who purchased the house in 1982, had long considered the 29kg object to be a harmless relic. Its presence in their front courtyard, painted red to match other house features, went unquestioned until a police officer's intervention prompted a significant response from authorities.
The Bomb's Discovery and Transition to Ornamentation

The ordnance's journey to becoming a garden feature began approximately a century prior to its discovery by the Edwards. According to Jeffrey Edwards, the previous owner of the house unearthed the bomb while engaged in his work delivering lemonade. Following this discovery, the object was brought back to the property and positioned in the front courtyard. When the Edwards acquired the house in 1982, they continued this practice, integrating the bomb into their garden's appearance and even painting it red to coordinate with the window ledges.
Historical Context of Military Activity

The presence of such ordnance in the area is historically linked to military activities in St Brides Bay. Warships of the Royal Navy routinely used the bay as a location for target practice, anchoring offshore and firing towards Broad Haven. This practice involved using the sands as a designated area for exercises, with precautions taken to ensure no individuals were present on the sands during these drills.
Rediscovery and Disposal

The long-standing assumption that the bomb was inert was shattered when a police officer noticed the object and alerted the couple to its potentially live status. This prompted the involvement of the Defence Ministry and the deployment of a bomb disposal squad. After being informed of the situation, the Edwards experienced a night of considerable anxiety. The ordnance was ultimately transported to a disused quarry in Walwyn's Castle, where it was detonated after being covered with approximately five tonnes of sand.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

How did a live bomb become a garden ornament for 41 years?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends