WWII Hand Grenade Fished from Grand Union Canal
An eight-year-old boy has come across a WWII hand grenade whilst magnet-fishing from a narrow boat on the Grand Union Canal in Maida Hill. Fortunately, the true nature of the catch was quickly realised and the Police were called, subsequently arranging for an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team to come and remove the device.
London’s various canal networks have long been a known source of unexploded ordnance (UXO), having proven convenient dumping grounds for a whole range of munitions. Prior to being infilled, the Surrey Canal became notorious for the numerous items of UXO that it offered up, ranging from spigot mortars to hand grenades to smoke floats and medium-calibre ammunition.
The device in question thankfully bore enough resemblance to its original design that it was faintly recognisable (see inset), although it is seldom the case that items of UXO discovered today resemble anything like their initial state.
