Importance Score: 55 / 100 🔵
Unexpected Garden Discovery Leads to Police Response
A resident experienced considerable surprise when an object unearthed while mowing his lawn resulted in a police cordon being established on his street. The incident unfolded after the individual sought online guidance regarding an unusual find, which rapidly escalated into a significant police matter.
Initial Inquiry on Social Media
The homeowner’s experience began with a simple question posted on the social media platform Reddit. Sharing a photograph of the peculiar item to the CasualUK subreddit, he inquired: “What is this thing that I found in my garden while mowing?”
His initial assessment described the object as resembling “an upside down shell” bearing the inscription “1940,” speculating it might be a “water pump.” The small, circular object, located approximately one inch beneath the soil surface, displayed the “1940” marking along with “25”, “LOT”, “RLB”, and “C.F.”
Online Community Identifies Potential Ordnance
Responses to the online query quickly turned serious. One Reddit user suggested alarmingly: “Looks like a 25 pounder shell casing, fired. The hole in the middle is the striking point for the strike pin.”
Another user advised caution, stating: “I’d ring 101 and explain the situation to them! Try not to handle it roughly.” A third concurred, identifying the object as “a British WW2 artillery shell.”
The online discussion further amplified the concerns, with one user recommending contacting emergency services: “CALL 999 IMMEDIATELY, AND MOVE AWAY… They take this very seriously.”
Police Intervention and Investigation
Amidst growing concern from online commentators regarding his safety, the man provided updates on the unfolding situation. He confirmed he was unharmed and that law enforcement had been notified, requesting photographic evidence of the discovered item.
“Got a reply back from my photos email,” he later posted, indicating police were determining the appropriate course of action. Despite the ongoing situation, he initially remained at home: “We’re still having our BBQ though. Too nice weather.”
Subsequent updates revealed a police officer had arrived to assess the suspected ordnance directly in his garden. “Awaiting advice from bomb squad,” he reported, adding the potential for “road closures and 100m cordon. BBQ POSTPONED.”
Shortly after, he confirmed street closures were in effect, sharing an image of the police cordon. He humorously noted the delay in the arrival of specialist units: “Hanging about waiting for EOD [Explosive Ordnance Disposal] to finish… May as well have a beer while waiting for bomb disposal.”
Resolution and Humorous Aftermath
The situation reached a positive conclusion following the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team’s assessment. The homeowner announced: “All clear. EOD came and were awesome. Hindered a little by Walter whippet, our dog. Thanks for all the support.”
In a lighthearted conclusion to the incident, he joked that the now-cleared shell casing was repurposed as a “beer bottle cooler” as his barbecue plans resumed.
Online reactions to the unfolding events were largely appreciative and relieved. One Reddit user commended the saga: “This has been fun! Thanks OP! And I’m glad you and – more importantly – Walter aren’t scattered across a large swathe of rural England.”
Another commenter celebrated the outcome: “Glad they let you keep it. That’s awesome.” Others echoed the sentiment, praising the discovery as a “Great souvenir and what a talking point!” and “Interesting story to tell, a new ornament and sunshine! Seems like a damn fine Saturday to me.”