Hand Grenade Unearthed in Peterborough Garden
A WWII-era hand grenade has been dug up in the back garden of a property in Peterborough, resulting in an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) task being undertaken by an RAF unit. Reports indicate that the grenade was removed and destroyed in a controlled explosion.
No. 36 hand grenades – commonly known as Mills Bombs – were standard issue for many regular and Home Guard troops during WWII and, as such, they are found on a wide variety of sites across the UK. Peterborough had, in particular, a large Home Guard presence and it is possible that the find is a remnant of the volunteer force’s activities.
These lemon-shaped anti-personnel devices were usually filled with the high explosive baratol (there were also chemical and smoke versions) and potentially provide a significant Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) hazard even after seventy years of inaction.
