Barnoldswick school honours its bomb hero

7:00pm Tuesday 10th July 2012 in Barnoldswick Photograph of the Author By Tyrone Marshall, Reporter

HERO Michael Rowley who gained fame in 1983 HERO Michael Rowley who gained fame in 1983

A BARNOLDSWICK high school is appealing for more information about a former pupil who was hailed a hero for his efforts to defuse a bomb in London in 1983.

West Craven High Technology College is recognising the achievements of past pupils as part of the school’s 70th anniversary celebrations this weekend.

And one former pupil in particular, Michael Rowlay, went on to become a famous bomb disposal expert.

His exploits were honoured by the Lord Mayor of London after he played a leading part in the defusing of a Second World War bomb that brought the capital to a standstill in 1983.

Mr Rowlay, who was 26 at the time, was called in when a 112lb bomb was dragged up from the River Thames.

Even after 40 years, the bomb was considered dangerous and capable of blowing up large parts of the centre of London.

Retired teacher Steve Brierley, who is a keen collector of military memorabilia, made the discovery when he recently bought a scrapbook about Michael Rowlay on Todmorden Market.

He said: “I found this table that had Royal Engineers manuals and the man running it had another bag full of stuff.

“In there was this scrapbook that caught my attention. It contained a lot of press cuttings about Mr Rowlay.

“He and Major Quinn were responsible for defusing this bomb that literally brought London to a halt in 1983.

“It’s a fascinating story in its own right and he was quite a celebrity for a while.”

Teacher Julie Grimshaw, organiser of West Craven’s 70th anniversary celebrations, said: "We’re very proud to be associated with Mr Rowlay, but it would be interesting to know more about what happened to him after that event.”

The Corps of Royal Engineers, Bomb Disposal – EOD, confirmed that Staff Sergeant Michael Rowlay died on December 1, 2010, at the age of 54.

Information and artefacts relating to his life as well as those of other pupils will be on display at West Craven this Saturday from 11am to 4pm.

Comments (2)

10:06pm Tue 10 Jul 12

Brad859 says...

Hi Tyrone, I saw your piece above and thought I would drop you a line. I worked with Mike in a number of countries after we both left the Army.I have some photos of various activities we were involved in removing landmines and unexploded ammunition.If you would like me to send you these and some more background on Mike's work after he left the Army I would be glad to assist, as he was a good friend of mine. Yours Stephen Bradley (Brad)
Hi Tyrone, I saw your piece above and thought I would drop you a line. I worked with Mike in a number of countries after we both left the Army.I have some photos of various activities we were involved in removing landmines and unexploded ammunition.If you would like me to send you these and some more background on Mike's work after he left the Army I would be glad to assist, as he was a good friend of mine. Yours Stephen Bradley (Brad) Brad859

10:18am Wed 11 Jul 12

jp23675237 says...

As a Cpl. Mick was my No 2 as an IED operator. He was a very proffessional and dedicated soldior. He was also an excellent fitter machinist / turner making presentation brass bombs for the Regiment. I was saddend to learn of his death at a relativly young age. I was only talking about him with Roger Heaton at a mini reunion the other day. As I entered Rogers home I could not help noticing a very large brass model of a Herman WW2 bomb. Evidence of Mike is everywhere. John Phillips ex EOD.
As a Cpl. Mick was my No 2 as an IED operator. He was a very proffessional and dedicated soldior. He was also an excellent fitter machinist / turner making presentation brass bombs for the Regiment. I was saddend to learn of his death at a relativly young age. I was only talking about him with Roger Heaton at a mini reunion the other day. As I entered Rogers home I could not help noticing a very large brass model of a Herman WW2 bomb. Evidence of Mike is everywhere. John Phillips ex EOD. jp23675237

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