By: critter592 - 31st December 2009 at 21:55
Some good photos of the crater and memorial here.
By: Matt Braddock - 31st December 2009 at 19:42
THE DAY THE DUMP WENT UP and THE FLYING KANGAROOS by Mark Rowe, 1999
– ISBN 0 953 1232 0 1
and
AFTER THE DUMP WENT UP: The Untold Story and BOUQUETS FOR BOMBER MEN by Mark Rowe, 2000
published by Mark Rowe – ISBN 0 953 1232 0 2
Both give descriptions of RAF Fauld and the explosion.
some more details at http://members.madasafish.com/~d_hodgkinson/bh-people.htm
By: exmpa - 31st December 2009 at 18:42
Unfortunately the crater is slowly being obscured by vegetation although it still remains a sobering sight as it is a hole of almost nuclear proportion. It is worth a visit if you are in the area but I suggest that should you make a special trip to Fauld you might come away a little disappointed as time has lessened its impact.
Should you go there the **** Inn in Hanbury used to have a good display of contemporary material relating to the event.
exmpa
By: ade wilkes - 31st December 2009 at 18:38
They who know reacon theres several thousand tons of unexploded ordnance still buried.
The main work force were Italian POW,s.
I think the EOD check it regulary.
By: Arabella-Cox - 31st December 2009 at 18:35
Fauld crater
As far as I am aware, the crater is not off-limits. There is a footpath sign at the roadside marked: “To the Crater” and it is about a half mile from the road. You can walk down inside it (or at least you could a few years ago) and, make no mistake about it, whatever anybody says, it’s bloody big!
There is a Memorial Church Hall built nearby to honour those who died.
Well worth a visit, in my opinion.
Anon.
By: Denis - 31st December 2009 at 18:08
There was a brief mention of the Faulds explosion in British Archaeology recently – in a piece by Mick Aston where he was looking at the area, and at the use of gypsum particularly. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to be on their website – but if a local library takes it…
Adrian
I actually heard a Radio Four programme a few weeks ago on the subject with Mick Aston Adrian. It was on prior to the Archers just before 14.00…err…hurruummpphh…. not that I listen to the Archers.. but poor old Jack Wooley has gone downhill lately..oops!:D
By: Arabella-Cox - 31st December 2009 at 17:56
According to the information on the sign ( 3/4 mile x 400ft deep ), on the website link posted earlier ( http://www.carolyn.topmum.net/tutbury/fauld/fauldcrater.htm ), the crater isn’t far off the dimensions of Meteor Crater in Arizona!
By: Arabella-Cox - 31st December 2009 at 16:42
Am I right in thinking that the Fauld site is designated as a war grave?
Correct. Also off limits due to unexploded ordinance here and there.
By: D1566 - 31st December 2009 at 15:02
Am I right in thinking that the Fauld site is designated as a war grave?
By: ...starfire - 31st December 2009 at 14:25
Slightly off topic, but there is a story about an as yet unexploded underground mine full of WWI-dynamite below a farm near Messines/Belgium. Unfortunately the exact position got lost during the decades …
By: ade wilkes - 31st December 2009 at 13:57
also a farm dissapeared when it went up as it was built virtually on top.
By: adrian_gray - 31st December 2009 at 13:42
Explosion heard 40 miles away, broke windows 25 miles away felt 70 miles away and recorded on Seismograph instruments in Casablanca and Greenland.
All that and the authorities kept it a secret!…how?
No internet! And plenty more serious things to worry about…
There was a brief mention of the Faulds explosion in British Archaeology recently – in a piece by Mick Aston where he was looking at the area, and at the use of gypsum particularly. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to be on their website – but if a local library takes it…
Adrian
By: TwinOtter23 - 31st December 2009 at 13:06
In the early 1990s I visited the British Gypsum Fauld works several times to supervise some on-site publicity work. During the tea breaks the gypsum workers recounted many personal stories about lost family members and friends and an event, which at that time I knew little about ā the victims were still being remembered with reverence and dignity.
By: hunterxf382 - 31st December 2009 at 12:04
I’m truely gobsmacked after reading about this – and seeing those photos….. š®
By: Denis - 31st December 2009 at 10:14
Depends on which articles you read but:
Explosion heard 40 miles away, broke windows 25 miles away felt 70 miles away and recorded on Seismograph instruments in Casablanca and Greenland.
All that and the authorities kept it a secret!…how?
By: spitfireman - 31st December 2009 at 09:10
Jaw dropping
By: Martin Bull - 31st December 2009 at 09:03
A very good illustrated article about the Fauld Explosion can be found in After The Battle #18…..
By: Arabella-Cox - 31st December 2009 at 01:33
Yoinks!
By: Creaking Door - 31st December 2009 at 01:27
Apparently it is the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) at Burghfield…
…Iām for it now! :diablo:
(Screech!)
By: Creaking Door - 31st December 2009 at 01:21
Found it…
…still all-quiet outside! š
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December 31, 2009 at 12:45 am