Tri-Service

Army Vet Turned-BT Engineer Confronts Unexploded Bomb

As an ex-soldier, engineer Dave Owen knew exactly what to do when he spotted a Second World War incendiary device in a garden.

The rusting object, which looked like a military shell, was in the neighbouring garden of a customer’s home. Dave realised it may be an unexploded bomb and immediately told the female occupant to remain indoors and to call the police.

Army bomb disposal experts arrived on the scene in Caernarfon, North Wales, and Dave led them to the shell. They confirmed it was WWII ordnance.

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Police praised Dave for his actions and evacuated residents from neighbouring houses as a precaution. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team took the bomb away to dispose of it safely.

Dave served 22 years in the Royal Corps of Signals, including in Afghanistan, Iraq, Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Bosnia and Belize. He said:

“The woman told me she had dug up the object the previous day. I calmly advised her to go indoors with her dog and to dial 101 for the police. I told her it could be a device from the Second World War and might be dangerous. She said: ‘Are you joking?’

“I didn’t tell anyone else about it because I didn’t want to alarm people. From my military experience, something that old can be unstable and liable to explode so it’s best not to take any chances.”