In Jun 1969, I was serving on HMS Ajax. During our Self-Maintenance Period at HMS Tamar, I was with a shore party of Gunners and Torpedo rates who spent the day on Stonecutters Island doing demolition exercises. This pleasant duty involved setting off several explosions using plastic explosives etc. Brilliant day was had by all. After all, who in the military doesn't like spending the day blowing things up. Our final blast involved using the remaining explosives and placing a large cast iron drain cover over the hole containing the plastic. Result...excellent explosion, dust and debris landing out to sea.

So, full of the joys of spring, we made our way back to the jetty to get the boat back to HMS Tamar.

Surpise, surprise, we are met on the jetty by a very irate RN Lieutenant Commander who is in charge of the RN detention quarters on Stonecutters. In his hand he's holding a large (extremely large), piece of shrapnel. It apparently landed next to his Chinese gardener. OOPS!!