Grandson Was Helping Grandma Clean Out Her Garage. Then He Found WWI Explosive Shells, and the Bomb Squad Was Called

A remarkable discovery was made in a garden in Southampton, England, when George Cheetham stumbled upon two World War I anti-aircraft shells while helping his grandmother tidy up her garage. The 26-year-old found the explosive devices, which were still armed, during the cleanup on 16 May as they prepared for her move.

George was sorting through items belonging to his late grandfather, John Heritage, who had been a keen collector and hoarder before his passing last year. While rummaging through the garage, he unearthed the shells, which bore dates from 1916, leaving both him and his grandmother, Pam Heritage, quite taken aback. “We were just holding them in the garden, and I remember thinking, ‘S—,’” George recounted, indicating the sheer shock of the unexpected find.

The discovery of the shells raised immediate concerns for safety. Given their age and condition, George and Pam contacted Hampshire Police, fearing the shells could become dangerous. Upon arrival, police officers inspected the munitions and decided to call in the British Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit for further assessment.

The army’s EOD team examined the shells using X-ray technology, confirming that they were indeed live rounds. With safety as a priority, they transported the shells to a nearby field, where they were disposed of through controlled detonation. It was a necessary action to prevent any risk to the public, especially in light of the shells’ explosive potential.

Reflecting on the experience, George expressed a mix of emotions. He acknowledged feeling “quite gutted” that the shells had to be destroyed, as they held sentimental historical value. “I would have liked to keep the historical items,” he lamented, adding, “But it’s better getting rid of them than your nan getting blown up.”

Interestingly, the shells appear to have belonged to George’s great-grandfather, who served in the Royal Navy during the First World War. George recalled receiving similar shells from his grandfather in years gone by, a memory now tinged with nostalgia. “I remember him passing me some shells when I was younger, but that was 20-something years ago,” he shared.

While the discovery itself may have been startling, there was humour in the situation. Pam Heritage, George’s grandmother, found the incident amusing despite the gravity of the context. George described how the two of them laughed as they unwittingly held such dangerous artefacts in their garden.

A spokesperson for the British Army confirmed the incident, stating, “We can confirm that an Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team from 721 Squadron, 11 EOD & S Regiment RLC, responded on 16 May following a request from Hampshire Constabulary.” The successful disposal of the munitions underscores the ongoing responsibility and capability of such units to safely handle potentially explosive historical remnants.

This unusual find serves as a poignant reminder of the past, highlighting the challenges of maintaining safety while also preserving history. Encounters like George’s emphasise the importance of vigilance and responsibility in dealing with old military ordnance, which may still pose a danger even decades after the end of the conflict in which they were used.