Items of UXO have been found by builders at a primary school in Kent. The workers encountered the potentially hazardous ammunition whilst preparing a site for a new build. Police raised the alarm and called in bomb disposal experts from the Army’s Royal Logistic Corps.

The incident occurred at a primary school within the small village of Wickhambreaux, Kent. It is noteworthy that the army did not carry out a controlled explosion. Presumably the unexploded ordnance (UXO) therefore did not pose a threat.

The specific identity of the UXO found is unknown. Small arms ammunition (SAA) does not usually pose a significant hazard. SAA (bullets) placed in a fire could ignite, causing a hazard.

Ammunition wwii
Corroded small arms ammunition of wwii vintage. What the uxo find on site may have looked like.

How did UXO come to be buried under a Kent school?

Kent was the front line for the British during 1940. This was mainly due to its location, just 20 miles from Nazi occupied France. Its coastline was bristled with fortifications and its garrison force numbered in the tens of thousands.

This never before seen concentration of British military in the county inevitably will have resulted in lost or discarded ammunition. Consequently, incidents such as this UXO find are not uncommon. Armed Home Guard soldiers patrolled all over the county during WWII and were likely responsible for this discarded ammunition.

Assessing the UXO risk on your site

Assessing the UXO risk on your site is the first step towards your UXO risk management plan. Using historical research methods, we place your site in its military context, analysing the impacts of allied and enemy action alongside any post-war developments. Need help deciding which UXO risk assessment you need? Call us to discuss your requirements. 

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