The two mystery explosions in Oxford (Memory Lane, April 14 and April 21) were the result of a schoolboy's fascination with chemistry.

Tony Temple, of Kennington, has given us his account of what was behind the blasts, which badly damaged 35 Wellington Square, Oxford, and the caddies' hut at Southfield Golf Course in East Oxford, in the space of nine days in February, 1948.

He writes: "My school friend's fascination with chemistry, and particularly explosions, probably started with a chemistry set received as a present which would have produced some minor, but obviously not very satisfying, bangs.

"At that time, directly after the war, shells and other armaments were readily available and traded at school as trophies.

"This chap was noted for his dabbling in 'recycling' of these explosives and produced some interesting flashes and bangs.

"At that time, the word was that he had been banned from further experimentation at his home following a broken window, broken roof tiles and the destruction of a garden shed!

"He thought that the basement of the house where his aunt lived in North Oxford would be a suitable alternative 'laboratory'.

"While mixing some concoction, it apparently started heating up, so he thought it best to abandon it outside and scarper.

"The result of this made the front page of the Oxford Mail.

"I had been told that his aunt had been sitting in the window above writing a letter and had just left the house to post it when the explosion had occurred."

According to Mr Temple, the explosion at the golf course was the result of a further experiment.

And these were apparently not the only explosions the boy caused.

Mr Temple recalls: "He was curious to know what would happen if this was carried out under water.

"Rumour had it that he and some friends hired a punt from Harris's boatyard, punted down the river, over the rollers at Iffley Lock, to the backwater of Sandford weir.

"They moored up, lowered the 'device' over the back of the punt and waited for the bang.

"A few seconds later, there was a dull thud under the punt, followed by several fish floating 'belly-up' in the water.

"The other result, not at first apparent, was the leaks from the split boards in the bottom of the punt, which slowly sank several inches in the water, with the cushions floating on the surface.

"The next problem was getting the punt back to the boatyard by towing it in the water from the footpath.

"The punt was eventually tied up to the pontoon back at the boatyard.

"I lost touch with my friend after school days - his family, who had located to Oxford at the outbreak of the war, may have returned to their former home.

"Some time later, I heard that he had joined the Army - so further exploits would have been legitimate!"

10:50am Monday 5th May 2008

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