The Death of
Thomas A Munford
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Thomas Alexander
Munford Born 
Inverkeithing
Scotland 1907. He joined The Royal Engineers 1923 and was killed as
S/Sgt in bomb disposal Swansea South Wales in 1941.
On 21 st February 1941 members of No8 BD
Company RE were working on a UXB in Castle Street, Swansea. They partially
uncovered the buried bomb and could see it was fitted with a anti-disturbance
fuse (type 50) that was very sensitive to movement.
One way of making a bomb safe, was
to take the explosives out instead
of the fuse. This was done by a method known as steam sterilization. It
involved carefully removing the filling plate at the rear of the bomb or
cutting a
hole in the side of the bomb, and inserting a jet of steam that would melt the
cast explosive out.
Major J. B. James was in charge of No8 BD
Company at the time.
The following is from his report of the incident. -
Sterilization was commenced on this bomb
at 13.30 hrs by HQ
sterilization Staff in charge of S/Sgt Munford. At 16.25 hrs the steam of the
sterilization plant had been cut off and S/Sgt Munford informed Lt W.D.Rees
O.C. 103 BD Section that the explosive filling in the bomb had been steamed
out to well below the fuze chambers and he (the Staff Sgt) recommended
withdrawing the bomb from the hole, and completing the sterilization in a back
street.
Lt Rees realized that there was probably
a 2nd or lower fuse in this
bomb which had not yet been exposed and that this lower fuse might be a No17
clockwork delay action fuse. He was informed however by S/Sgt Munford that a
test had been carried out with a stethoscope to ascertain if there was any
sound
of ticking.
He was assured that there was none. He therefore agreed to the
S/Sgt's proposal and issued instructions to withdraw the bomb from the hole. A
clamp was then fixed to the filling end of the bomb and a rope attached to
both
clamp and a lorry which was to pull. I issued instructions for everyone to
clear and take cover, whilst I stood beside the lorry in order to direct the
pull. When everyone had cleared I issued an order to the lorry driver to take
the
strain on the rope, and while this was being done, I heard a shout and
commanded the lorry driver to stand fast. It was sgt Finney who shouted and
until
then , I did not notice that he was standing near me. He shouted because the
rope
was slipping on the lorry, and when the lorry came to a standstill he stepped
forward to make the rope fast. I then ordered the lorry driver to take the
strain on the rope, and indicated further instructions by hand.
However, as soon as the rope had
taken the strain, I shouted to him
"You are pulling". All my attention was riveted on the bomb at this
time, and
as soon as I had said "pulling", a huge flash appeared in the hole,
accompanied
by a thunderous explosion. I felt tremendous blast to my face, and was spun
round. I realised debris was falling and managed to get under the front of the
lorry.
When I came out, I saw a body on the ground on the remote side of the
lorry from where I had been standing and on further inspection I found five
other bodies nearby. The only explanation I can give for their prescence
there,
is that they came from their cover when the rope was slipping on the lorry,
and
the operations continued because they were unsighted from my side of the
lorry."
Killed in the blast were S/Sgt Thomas
Munford, Lance Serjeant Thomas
Henderson, Corporal's Jack Holder and John Salisbury, Lance Corporal James
Johnstone, Sapper William Craig and Driver Roland Simpson.
Lt W.D.G Rees and Sgt Finney both
sustained shock and punctured ear
drums and went to hospital for a considerable period.