Numerous unexploded World War 2 grenades unearthed at the site of the new Cambridge ice arena.

40 grenades were originally found, however by the end of the project a further 154 had been recovered, some still packed inside their wooden crates.

Click here to see a full news article covering this incident.

The delay to this project suggests an unexploded ordnance risk management plan was not in place prior to site works commencing.

Had a Brimstone EOD engineer supervised these excavations, a coordinated response plan would have been put into immediate effect. Proper planning and consultation such as this would have mitigated the UXO finds’ impact on the project.

Eod grenades cambridge
An eod engineer in hazmat clothing at the new ice rink site
Self Igniting Phosphorus Grenades

The Self Igniting Phosphorus (SIP) grenade was officially categorised as the British Army’s No.76 special incendiary grenade. It comprised white phosphorus, benzine, water, and a strip of rubber. The ingredients were contained in a half-pint glass bottle and sealed with a crown stopper, like a beer bottle.

By autumn of 1941 some six million SIP grenades had been produced in Britain. These rudimentary weapons, mass produced quickly and cheaply, were used almost exclusively by the Home Guard, for defence against the anticipated German invasion.

They were to be hand thrown at the enemy or projected, using  a simple mortar system. On impact, the bottle would smash, the ingredients would oxidise and an aggressive incendiary reaction would occur.

Post-war No.76 grenade finds are relatively commonplace when compared to other types of British Land Service Ammunition. One reason is that such a large quantity were manufactured, however none were used in anger.

Self igniting phosphorus no. 76
A wooden crate of no. 76 grenades during wwii