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Divers honoured after Plymouth WW2 bomb bravery

Chloe Parkman
BBC News, South West
Royal Navy PO Paul Cartwright overseeing the safe lifting of the bomb. Straps have been tightened around the bomb to lift it out of the ground. Mr Cartwright is standing behind it. A stone wall and houses surround the area.Royal Navy
PO Cartwright volunteered to load and drive the extremely dangerous bomb through the city

Two divers who dealt with a huge World War Two bomb unearthed in a Plymouth garden have been honoured with bravery awards by King Charles III.

Petty Officer (PO) Craig Maddock and PO Paul Cartwright from Plymouth-based Bravo Diving Unit One neutralised a 500kg (1,100 lbs) bomb found at a property on St Michael Avenue in Keyham in February 2024.

Unearthing the bomb caused widespread disruption due to its location in the middle of a densely-packed residential area.

The pair have been named among those given Operational Honours, announced tly with His Majesty's Birthday Honours.

Royal Navy Straps have been fastened around the bomb which is sitting in the mud. Sandbags have been placed around the bomb.Royal Navy
The bomb was detonated in Plymouth Sound

The Royal Navy said PO Maddock "first removed a large amount of earth and concrete by hand and used limited tools to access the explosive device".

It added: "He accurately identified the fuses in very challenging conditions and when the bomb was moved to a safe area for transfer to a boat for disposal he led the task to de-sensitise the two live fuses.

"His colleague PO Cartwright volunteered to load and drive the extremely dangerous bomb through the city, planning the route to the Torpoint ferry slipway."

The bomb was subsequently safely detonated at sea, in Plymouth Sound.

PO Cartwright, who was awarded the King's Commendation for Bravery, said: "Whilst I am extremely honoured and humbled to receive this award, my contribution to the operation was no more valuable than that of all the military personnel and first responders that week.

"The most important thing is that the people of Keyham were able to go back to their homes once we had completed the operation."

His colleague PO Maddock, who has been awarded the King's Gallantry Medal, added: "What was achieved that week was only possible because of the tireless professionalism, calm determination and teamwork shown by everyone involved.

"The divers of Bravo Diving Unit One, alongside emergency services and military partners, worked shoulder to shoulder under immense pressure to ensure the safety of the public.

"I couldn't be prouder to have been part of such an outstanding team effort."

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