Redevelopment of Army Barracks halted by grenade find

A construction project at Deepcut Army Barracks, also known as Princess Royal Barracks in Surrey, was temporarily halted after workers unearthed a “legacy grenade” during excavation. The discovery prompted an immediate response from an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, who conducted a controlled detonation on-site to neutralise the potential hazard. The decision to destroy the device in situ suggests it was deemed too fragile to be safely transported.

How common are UXO finds at former military sites?

Unexploded ordnance (UXO) discoveries at former military bases are more common than many might think. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has been selling off portions of its estate for private redevelopment since World War II, increasing the likelihood of UXO encounters during construction work.

Military sites and former Army barracks often contain a variety of ordnance, including grenades, artillery shells, and small arms ammunition. Over the years, numerous incidents have occurred where grenades have been found behind walls, in drainage systems, and buried underground – suggesting an “out of sight, out of mind” approach to disposal in the past.

The military history of Deepcut Army Barracks

The Deepcut area has been used for military training since the late 1800s. Blackdown Camp, which later became Princess Royal Barracks, was formally established in the early 20th century.

• World War I: During the First World War, an additional camp was built at Blackdown to house German prisoners of war (POWs).
• World War II: In the Second World War, the site became a key training ground for Canadian forces stationed in Britain. Given the scale of military activity in the area, it is plausible that various types of UXO, dating from different periods, could remain buried in the surrounding land.

While the exact type of grenade found at Deepcut Army Barracks has not been confirmed, the most commonly used British grenade of the 20th century was the Mills Bomb. Thousands were produced and used during both world wars, and they are frequently uncovered during construction projects across the UK.

How to mitigate UXO risk during construction

For developers working on former military sites, a UXO risk assessment is an essential first step in ensuring safety. At Brimstone UXO, we provide comprehensive UXO risk management services, including:

• Historical Research & Risk Assessments: Using archival data and expert analysis to assess the likelihood of UXO presence.
• UXO Surveys: Identifying and mapping buried ordnance before construction begins.
• UXO Investigations: Confirming the presence of UXO and determining the necessary mitigation measures.
• UXO Disposal & Clearance: Safe removal and destruction of explosive threats to keep projects moving forward.

If you have an upcoming project on a historically significant site, contact our team for expert UXO risk mitigation solutions.

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