Sian and Jeffrey Edwards, an elderly couple from Milford Haven in Wales, were baffled when they discovered that their prized garden ornament, which they thought was an old “fake” missile, was not as harmless as they had assumed.
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- What turned out to be the decorative missile?
- When was it discovered?
- How did the authorities react?
What turned out to be the decorative missile?
The Telegraph
The surprising revelation prompted a bomb disposal team to arrive and detonate the historic explosion.
The missile, thought to date from the late 19th century, had become an important feature of the Edwards’ garden decoration. Unaware of his true nature, Jeffrey used the 64-pound naval missile to remove dirt from his towel after gardening, a dangerous action considering the shocking truth behind his seemingly benign adornment.
When was it discovered?
The drama began when police were called to Edwards’ home on Wednesday night after a passerby observed the missile, forcing the Ministry of Defense to be notified as a precaution. Within an hour, the couple was alerted that a bomb disposal unit would arrive the next day.
The Telegraph
Faced with the prospect of having to evacuate their street, the couple refused to leave. Sian told the BBC about the difficult night, saying: “We didn’t sleep a wink all night. It took us by surprise. ‘We’re not leaving the house,’ I told the bomb disposal team. If it goes up, , we’ll upload it.'”
How did the authorities react?
The Ministry of Defense arrived the next morning and, after removing the missile, tests revealed that it was a live explosive with a tiny charge. The device was then covered in five tonnes of sand and safely detonated in a disused quarry at Walwyn Castle.
The emotional toll on the Edwards was obvious, with Sian referring to the missile as an “old friend”. “He was an old friend,” she lamented. “I’m so sorry the poor thing exploded.”
According to the BBC, the missile, which has a century-long history, was discovered on the beach by the Morris family, former owners of the property, after Royal Navy warships used the region for target practice.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn