RAF Goswick Sands
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RAF Goswick Sands October 2023
RAF Goswick Sands
Peter Walton – RAF Goswick Sands
An Explosive Legacy!!
Peter Walton came to see us the other night all the way from Berwick upon Tweed, but I guess that was no distance compared to the three tours he did in Iraq as Bomb Disposal veteran with the RAF!!!
This was a fascinating talk not specifically about the time he was in Iraq but more specifically about removing the unexploded bombs that litter our seashore in Goswick Sands up the Northumberland coast near Holy Island.
Apparently, this area was seen as a probable target for a foreign landing force in the 1940’s. So, as well as all the tank and landing craft traps etc, it had also been populated with many mines and unexploded bombs.
The area was used extensively for practice manoeuvres. Unlikely as it seems, this beach area is very similar to the Omaha Beach in Normandy. Hence its use as a practice ground.
Typically, Peter said what with incoming rush tides, quick-sand etc. it can take anything up to 5 hours and be 12 – 15 inches down in sandy water. And to make matters worse, all whilst wearing protective suits that weigh up to anything around 51 lbs. When he was in Iraq the temperatures there would be excessive, up to 45 degrees centigrade inside a suit …meaning there was no excess weight on our guest, Peter!!!
Ian gave a vote of thanks, but with no testing explosions!!
An Explosive Legacy!!
Peter Walton came to see us the other night all the way from Berwick upon Tweed, but I guess that was no distance compared to the three tours he did in Iraq as Bomb Disposal veteran with the RAF!!!
This was a fascinating talk not specifically about the time he was in Iraq but more specifically about removing the unexploded bombs that litter our seashore in Goswick Sands up the Northumberland coast near Holy Island.
Apparently, this area was seen as a probable target for a foreign landing force in the 1940’s. So, as well as all the tank and landing craft traps etc, it had also been populated with many mines and unexploded bombs.
The area was used extensively for practice manoeuvres. Unlikely as it seems, this beach area is very similar to the Omaha Beach in Normandy. Hence its use as a practice ground.
Typically, Peter said what with incoming rush tides, quick-sand etc. it can take anything up to 5 hours and be 12 – 15 inches down in sandy water. And to make matters worse, all whilst wearing protective suits that weigh up to anything around 51 lbs. When he was in Iraq the temperatures there would be excessive, up to 45 degrees centigrade inside a suit …meaning there was no excess weight on our guest, Peter!!!
Ian gave a vote of thanks, but with no testing explosions!!
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