Expanding Fosiil's comment, but as to why 3 of them were buried at Yeovil...? I think there may be an error on the REABD sitei n that Driver Holden's death was registered in Rugby whereas the other 3 were registered at Yeovil. Possibly they lost there lives in a similar situation but at Yeovil not Coventry ( Fossil /Pete can you check?)
All three were digging down to a UXB when it exploded.
At times the fuzes on unexploded bombs were not visible or to badly damaged to be dealt with, also it was possible that the fuze pocket would snap and disappear into the explosive fill. On these occasions the base plate could be removed and the explosive filling removed to find the fuze. On the 6th November 1940, 9 Bomb Disposal Company, based in Coventry were dealing with an unexploded bomb in this category at Binley Sand Pits. As this work was being carried out the bomb detonated Driver C. Holden was killed, Lieutenant L. Meynell and his Lance Sergeant were severely injured. Lieutenant Meynell recalled his trench coat was shredded and the Lance Sergeant had a hole in his shoulder you could almost see through. Lieutenant Meynell was awarded the George Medal for this incident and for work on unexploded bombs at Smith’s Stamping Works, Coventry on the 8th October 1940. Also on the 16th October 1940 at an RAF base at Church Lawford, Warwickshire.
Details from Bomb Disposal Casualties of WW11. Chris Ranstead.
Lieutenant L. Meynell and the Lance Sergeant managed to drag themselves and Driver C. Holden’s body to their truck. However before they were able to drive of an ambulance arrived. Lieutenant Meynell was deeply affected by the death of Driver Holden. Who he remembers as being a very happy go lucky kind of boy, who was always smiling.
Danger UXB. M. J. Jappy.
