Colonel the Reverend Robbie Hall, underwater bomb disposal expert – obituary
He was awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for neutralising a German bomb found under 40 feet of water at Beckton Gas Works
Colonel Robbie Hall
Colonel the Reverend Robbie Hall, who has died of cancer aged 63, was awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for neutralising a German bomb in particularly hazardous circumstances.
In July 1986, Hall joined 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) as the Training Major. He became the leader of the regimental diving team, specialising in underwater bomb disposal.
On November 21, a civilian maintenance diver located what was thought to be a bomb at Beckton Gas Works, East London. It was under 40 feet of water in a large gasometer and was obstructing the workings of the equipment.