High explosive shells removed from Isle of Man garden

An Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team from the Royal Navy has safely removed two items of unexploded ordnance (UXO) from a residential garden on the Isle of Man. The discovery, made during renovation work, led to the evacuation of 54 nearby homes, with Civil Defence teams securing the scene until the UXO was safely dealt with.

What were the discovered UXO items?

The recovered items appear to be one-pounder high explosive shells, likely from the QF 1-pounder Pom-Pom, a 37mm British autocannon. Originally used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this weapon served multiple roles, including as an infantry gun and later as a light anti-aircraft gun. While largely phased out after WWI, munitions from this era can still be found buried across the UK and surrounding regions.

Why were these shells buried in an Isle of Man garden?

There are several potential explanations for how these items ended up in a residential garden, but the most likely reason is disposal by burial.

Many returning servicemen from WWI and WWII brought back military souvenirs, including live munitions, despite being fully aware of the associated dangers. When these items were no longer wanted, burying them in gardens became a common method of disposal.

Over time, land development, gardening, or construction work exposes these hidden dangers, leading to unexpected and hazardous discoveries. Cases like this emphasise the importance of UXO awareness and professional risk mitigation.

The importance of UXO disposal services

Unexploded ordnance poses a serious risk to public safety. Whether left behind from military training, wartime activity, or improper disposal, UXO requires expert handling to prevent accidents.

At Brimstone UXO, we help clients assess, locate, and safely dispose of explosive threats. Our comprehensive UXO services include:

• UXO Risk Assessments – Identifying historical military activity and assessing potential UXO risks.
• UXO Surveys – Using advanced detection methods to locate buried ordnance.
• UXO Disposal Services – Safely neutralising and removing UXO in compliance with UK regulations.

If you suspect UXO on your site, contact Brimstone UXO to ensure safety and compliance.

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