Renovation tradie's fireplace bomb find sets off blasts from the past

Renovations in Port Adelaide revealed a live mortar shell hidden within a fireplace, surprising the tradespeople on site. Former City of Port Adelaide Enfield mayor Gary Johanson explained that such occurrences were commonplace in the decades following World War II. He recalled how residents would collect hard rubbish and place it in areas now occupied by the Grange Cricket Club.

Unbeknownst to him, he had unearthed an artillery shell during his youth. Johanson recounted an incident where he showed the shell to a passerby, who alerted the police. Upon arrival, the army safely detonated the shell in the vicinity of what was once a swamp.

Tradie Brad Harrison discovered the same type of mortar during renovation work, prompting police to confirm it was live. They subsequently called in the bomb squad, who X-rayed the device before the army removed it for disposal. SAPOL noted that while rare, the public should avoid touching unexploded ordnance and report it to authorities instead.

Johanson shared a story about his neighborhood's collection of World War II relics. A former RAF Squadron Leader, Douglas Wills Sampson, lived in a house adjacent to his. Sampson, who served in the RAAF during the war, was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for his reconnaissance missions. His home contained rare memorabilia, including footage of German soldiers, his original flight uniform, and a Japanese samurai sword.

Johanson donated these items to the National War Museum in Canberra. The article concludes by emphasizing that World War II veterans are now mostly gone, leaving behind potential hidden treasures in old sheds.