VE Day 80th Anniversary: The Enduring Legacy of War and Our Mission to Clean Up
by Keith Higgins (Guest Author) | 8th May 2025 | Hethel Engineering Centre
As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day-Victory in Europe Day-on 8 May 2025, it’s a poignant moment to remember the sacrifices made and the peace won. Yet, eight decades on, the legacy of conflict still lingers beneath our feet and in our waters. Unexploded ordnance (UXO) from both world wars continues to pose a real and present danger to human health, safety, and the environment.
The Ongoing Threat
Remnants of war-bombs, mines, and other munitions-are not just relics; they are hazards that can be reactivated by construction work, excavation, or even environmental changes. In the UK, thousands of unexploded bombs remain undiscovered, particularly along coastlines like East Anglia, where wartime minefields and munitions are often encountered during development projects. Offshore, the risks extend to wind farm development and marine infrastructure, threatening not only human safety but also marine wildlife and ecosystems.
Why UXO Matters
Human Safety: UXO can explode if disturbed, causing serious injury or death. Construction workers, emergency services, and local communities are all at risk.
Environmental Impact: Detonating or degrading ordnance releases harmful chemicals into soil and water, affecting local flora and fauna. Marine mammals, such as porpoises, are especially vulnerable to the blast, fragmentation, and sonic shockwaves from underwater explosions.
Project Delays and Costs: Encountering UXO can halt or delay construction, offshore wind projects, and other developments, increasing costs and legal liabilities.
How Ordtek Makes a Difference
At Ordtek, we specialize in cleaning up and mitigating the risks posed by remnants of war. Our approach includes:
Historical Research: Identifying areas of risk through detailed archival work and site surveys.
Risk Assessment: Evaluating the types of UXO likely present and the dangers they pose to planned activities.
Mitigation Strategies: Offering solutions-from non-intrusive surveys to specialist support-to ensure projects proceed safely and responsibly.
Environmental Stewardship: Protecting both people and the natural world from the hidden dangers of war’s legacy.
Every Day Is a New Challenge
As a UXO consultant, every site brings new puzzles-sometimes a forgotten minefield, other times a bomb dropped by a returning aircraft. My background supporting the British Army and a decade in UXO and firearms has taught me the importance of vigilance, expertise, and empathy. It’s empowering to know that our work at Ordtek is making the world a little safer, one site at a time.
Looking Forward
On this 80th anniversary of VE Day, let’s honor the past by safeguarding the future. By identifying, assessing, and mitigating the risks of remnants of war, we ensure that the peace won in 1945 endures-for people, for wildlife, and for generations to come.
The VE Coffee Morning raised over £200 to be split between Action on Pre-Eclampsia & Race for Life Cancer Research.
