Royal Navy divers honoured for defusing more than 250 bombs in a year
Bravo Squadron received the military's highest humanitarian award for its bomb disposal work
Royal Navy divers who dealt with unexploded bombs and demolition charges around the world have received the military's highest humanitarian award.
Bravo Squadron of the Diving and Threat Exploitation Group earned the Firmin Sword of Peace for safely disposing of more than 250 bombs, shells and explosive devices within twelve months.
The divers were presented with the sword by Firmin's Head of Operations, Ian Smith, at a ceremony in Portsmouth Naval Base.
The presentation took place at the same time some of their colleagues were dealing with a WW2 bomb in Falmouth Harbour.
The award recognised the squadron's work during 2024, which included some of the most high-profile bomb disposal tasks carried out in recent years.
These included a WW2 bomb which caused disruption in Plymouth, historic chemical weapons found at a tourist site in Wales, and old demolition charges left on the Pacific island of Pitcairn.
The 42-strong diving unit is split between Portsmouth and Devonport Naval Bases and is on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Many of its call-outs are Military Assistance to Civilian Authorities tasks, working with police and councils when old ordnance is discovered.
The Plymouth bomb
A 500kg wartime bomb dropped by the Luftwaffe on Keyham in Plymouth during the Blitz was uncovered in February 2024, leading to one of the most complex operations in recent memory.
Over three days, the divers defused the device, transported it safely by road and sea, and detonated it without causing additional damage or injury.
A less publicised operation, known as Project Pongee, was conducted over a week on the Gower Peninsula, west of Swansea.
More than 275 items of unexploded chemical and high-explosive ordnance had surfaced on former MOD ranges, now a nature reserve visited by 3,000 people daily during the summer.
The shells and ammunition were neutralised over a week-long effort.
Among the most unusual tasks was a mission to Pitcairn Island in the Pacific, reached by joining the patrol ship HMS Tamar.
Leftover demolition charges from the construction of the island's harbour decades earlier were degrading and posing a danger to the small population, who had no means of dealing with the problem themselves.
The divers had just a 48-hour window to carry out the work in austere conditions, and much of the job was completed, earning praise from people living on the island.
Bravo Squadron closed out 2024 by neutralising a 1,000kg wartime bomb discovered on Southsea Common, which was transferred to the Solent and safely detonated.
Lieutenant Commander Benjamin Brown, Commanding Officer of Bravo Squadron, said the operations were symbolic of the range of missions his divers were expected to carry out.
He said:
"The squadron's work embodies the very spirit of the Firmin Sword of Peace: selfless service, protection of life, and humanitarian impact.
"At home and abroad, Bravo Squadron demonstrates courage, professionalism and compassion, standing as a genuine force for good.
"In combating a lethal explosive legacy, the squadron is eminently deserving of the award, recognising its extraordinary and enduring contribution to peace and public safety."
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Sword of Peace, which was originally awarded by Wilkinson and, since 2005, by Firmin & Sons.
It is presented to the Armed Forces ship, squadron or unit judged to have done the most to save lives or act as a humanitarian force for good, covering activities ranging from search and rescue to evacuating civilians from war zones and assisting after natural disasters.