A Blast from the Past: Welsh Couple’s Ornamental Garden Missile Detonated by Bomb Squad

In a shocking turn of events, a Welsh couple’s ornamental garden missile was detonated by a bomb squad, leaving them bereft and nostalgic for their “old friend.” Sian and Jeffrey Edwards, from Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, had kept the live bomb as a garden ornament for years, unaware of its explosive potential.

A relic from the past

The missile, believed to date back to the late 19th century, was thought to be a dummy bomb with no charge. However, when a police officer informed the couple that he had spotted the bomb, they were forced to take action. The bomb squad was called, and the missile was transported to a disused quarry in Walwyn’s Castle, where it was detonated after tests showed it was live with a very small amount of charge.

The bomb disposal unit in action

Jeffrey Edwards, 77, expressed his sadness at the loss of the missile, saying, “It was an old friend. I’m so sorry that the poor old thing was blown to pieces.” The couple had been told the history of the bomb by the Morris family, whose relative used to own the house and had found it more than 100 years ago.

The beach where the missile was found

Warships for the Royal Navy used to drop anchor in St Brides Bay and use the sands towards the Welsh village of Broad Haven for target practice. According to Edwards, Pop Morris, who went around delivering lemonade, found the shell on the beach and brought it back to the house, where it remained for over a century.

Pop Morris’s lemonade delivery

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the bomb was a 64lb naval projectile, which was removed from the scene for subsequent explosive demolition.

A 64lb naval projectile

The incident serves as a reminder of the region’s rich history and the importance of handling potentially explosive objects with care.

The disused quarry in Walwyn’s Castle where the missile was detonated