A pair who had a functioning explosive device as a decoration in their garden have expressed remorse that their “longtime companion” was destroyed by a disposal team.
A missile, believed to be from the late 19th century, was found outside the residence of Sian and Jeffrey Edwards.
The pair, hailing from Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, believed that the bomb was inert and had no explosive charge.
Sian Edwards mentioned that she would tap her trowel against the bomb to dislodge soil while gardening.
The couple was notified by a police officer on Wednesday that he had noticed a bomb and would have to notify the Ministry of Defence.
After an hour, the officer informed the couple that the bomb squad would be arriving the following day.
Jeffrey Edwards, 77 years old, stated, “We were unable to get any sleep throughout the night. It really took a toll on us.”
“I informed the bomb squad that we would not be evacuating the house and instead would remain inside. I made it clear that if the bomb exploded, we would not attempt to escape.”
According to the BBC, the explosive device was taken to an abandoned quarry in Walwyn’s Castle, where it was placed underground with five metric tonnes of sand. It was then set off when tests indicated it contained a small but active charge.
Edwards, who has resided on this street since the young age of three, expressed, “It was someone I knew for a long time. I deeply regret that this elderly individual was shattered into fragments.”
He stated that the Morris family had shared with him the story of the bomb, which was discovered over a century ago by their ancestor who once owned the house.
In the past, naval ships for the Royal Navy would anchor in St Brides Bay and utilize the nearby sands near the Welsh village of Broad Haven for honing their aim through target practice.
Edwards mentioned that Pop Morris, who was on his lemonade delivery route, came across the shell while traveling to Broad Haven with his horse and cart.
“He managed to make his way back up the shoreline with the item, placed it onto his cart, and then proceeded to endure a lively journey of seven miles back to his residence.”
“He positioned it vertically in the front courtyard and that is where it stayed.”
On November 30, 2023, Ashchurch Troop, 721 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron from 11 Explosive Ordnance and Search Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps, was called upon by the Dyfed-Powys police to investigate a potentially hazardous object. The Ministry of Defence has verified this information.
The EOD team examined the object and confirmed it was a 64lb naval projectile. It was taken away from the area to be destroyed by explosives later on.
Source: theguardian.com
