your comments
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June Cumberland from Kent
My great grandfather Alfred Scurlock was born in Pembroke Dock, St Mary, in 1844. His father was Benjamin Scurlock and they later moved to Llanstadwell. I believe they had a shipyard there. I wonder if anyone has any more information on the Scurlocks?
Tue Jun 2 17:51:03 2009
Una Blackmore (nee Flint) from Ivybridhe
Nice to read the above comments and to find that I am remembered. Can anyone please tell me where I can read Roland Mathias` obituary? He was a great support to my widowed mother and encouragement to me to go to university.To Linda nee Griffiths - yes I did marry John off the buses in 1979 but he died 1984 from heart attack.
Tue May 26 15:32:07 2009
Ann Evans now Bolt
Dad was born in Pemboke Dock - Thomas Evans brother lived 11 Waterloo. Reg Evans now no longer with us. went to visit many years ago. Loved Tenby Beach. Any relations left out there?
Tue May 26 12:21:21 2009
Linda Cound nee Griffiths
I remember your news reporter JAMIE Owen when he was very little calling for petrol with his dad and brothers at Silcox garage in Water Street, Pembroke Dock. We would have this game of pushing his tongue out to me as I put the petrol in his dad's car. It always makes me laugh when I see him so grown up on the news programmes Keep the flag flying for Pembroke Dock Jamie.
Fri Jan 16 11:04:53 2009
Cheryl Bishop (Matthews)
Anyone have any pics of Albion Square School and the Coronation School? I attended Coronation in 1969. Would love to see some photos of the old school then. My grandad was the ticket collector on the ferries before the bridge opened. Fond memories of all those days.
Wed Jan 14 16:55:11 2009
Veronica Cannon from Sheffield
My Granfather Harry Hayward was stationed in the army at Pembroke Dock during the 1914 -18 War. Would like to know more about this time ? what was going off around the docks?
Tue Dec 30 17:08:06 2008
Linda Cound (GRIFFITHS)
Message to Una Blackmore, Ivybridge, Devon: remember you well. My aunt was Mrs Beddoe, who lived next door to your mother. Did you marry John off the buses?
Thu Dec 18 11:42:35 2008
Marilyn Sheppard (was Thomas) from South Africa
I was born in High Street, moved to Pennar, a Grammar School girl and worked for Marine Services in the Dockyard in the 60s. Since then, I have travelled the world (well Africa) but still think of Pembroke Dock as "home". Had a holiday there last year with my hubby Terry Sheppard and it is still the same friendly place it always was. You can take the girl out of The Dock but you cannot take The Dock out of the girl.
Tue Dec 9 17:35:58 2008
Anne Dennis , Derbyshire
Found photos and comments very interesting as have just found out that my Great, Great Grandfather (John Henry Norris) was a shipwright at Pembroke Dock in 1859 and lived with his wife Esther and son Robert on Main Street. Seems I need to visit sooner than later before Pembroke Dock disappears into the mists of time.
Wed Nov 19 14:56:45 2008
Pat Lewis, Llanelli
I was born in P. D. in 1946, went to Albion Sqare School and Pembroke Grammar, so many happy days! My dad was one of the town's barbers, Frank Wylie of Meyrick St and Queen St. He came from Manchester and met my mum when he was stationed at Pembroke Castle during the war. He used to cut hair in Henry VII's Tower then. I have fond memories of standing on our toilet roof in Queen St., trying to hit the Sunderlands with a broom as they skimmed over us landing and taking off in Front St. The pilots would give me a wave. It saddens me to see how the town has deteriorated of late, mainly to lack of work there. It was a thriving town, especially when the army, navy and airforce were there. I am sure some old timers who come back for a last look are amazed how time has passed Pem. Dock. by.
Tue Aug 19 15:35:34 2008
Emily Hattersley -- Ashford Middlesex
I was born in Pembroke Dock in 1924, and lived there until about 1950. In that time my parents Joseph M Gibby and my mother Esther L Gibby (Bailey) were publicans of a great number of pubs in Pembroke including 'The Navy Tavern', and lastly 'The Bird In Hand' (Lewis Street). My mother also worked in Barclays Bank on Dimond Street.
As well as my parents, my husband the late James Hattersley was in 228 squadron, for the period 1939-1946. My family has had a much more historic connection with Pembroke Dock, with the earliest I can go back James Gibby born in 1773 living in Pembroke Dock.
Thu Aug 7 14:46:36 2008
Emily Hattersley -- Ashford Middlesex
I was born in pembroke dock in 1924, and lived there untill about 1950. In that time my parents Joseph M Gibby and my mother Esther L Gibby(Bailey) were publicans of a great number of pubs in pembroke including: The Navy Tavern, and lastly The Bird In Hand (Lewis Street). My mother also worked in Barclays Bank on Dimond Street. As well as my parents, my husband the late James Hattersley was in 228 squadron, for the period 1939-1946. My family has had a much more historic connection with Pembroke Dock, with the earliest i can go back James Gibby born in 1773 living in Pembroke Dock
Thu Aug 7 10:15:05 2008
Melvyn Thomas
I'm doing my family tree - my great grandfather Charles Alfred THOMAS was born in 1859 and lived in The Parade Pembroke Docks, he grew up to be a joiner at H.M Dockyard Pembroke but was sent first to H.M Dockyard Chatham then to Tilbury. He went back to Pembroke and married Annie Hays. Charles father and mother were John THOMAS and Mary Thomas nee Lewis living in Parade. John was a shoemaker.
Tue Jul 22 16:06:10 2008
Lawrence Barraclough
In the early 1940's I spent a lot of time in Pembroke Dock (Argyle Street) where my late grandparents lived. Their surname was Hughes and my grandad was a retired police officer. He once took me on the ferry and I jumped off before it had properly docked and my foot got caught in a moving chain. What a commotion I caused!
Tue May 27 14:08:47 2008
Mike from Pembroke
For those interested in researching family history there is a book "Pembroke People" by Richard Rose which details the trades and professions of people living in Pembroke and Pembroke Dock between 1800 and 1837. There's no story just lists of families and what they did. Even the convicted criminals get a section if I remember correctly.
Mon May 19 16:42:03 2008
Eira Waite nee Hill
My dad used to go to visit relations in Pembroke Dock - one of them made a stained glass window in a little chaple there.
Tue May 6 09:37:12 2008
Andy Waters from West Sussex
Ashamed to say that all the years I lived in Carmarthenshire I never once visited PD. Now I am researching my ancestry I discover that they all lived and worked around the shipbuilding, and my greatgrandfather (John Roch George) was Chief Measurer in the Yard. Am determined to get back to Wales to discover more about the Dock at first hand.
Tue Apr 29 11:49:21 2008
Gareth Davies
1 High Street markie davies's grandson fantastic place to grow up. Hope St Patrick's Choir is still going strong.
Wed Mar 19 09:12:56 2008
Heather Glasgow, Chalfont St Peter
I am tracing my family and, using the 1861 census, have just found that my Great, Great Grandfather was a Dock Yard Joiner. He lived with his family in Burton, just across the water from Pembroke Docks. I am sure he must have worked in Pembroke Docks and would love to find out more...Does anyone know of any archives that I could research please.
Mon Jan 14 09:06:56 2008
Mary Sinclair from Pembroke originally
I think the motto of Pembroke Dock Grammar School was 'Semper Fama Viret', which I thought in translation was 'Fame Always Stands' but I could be wrong. There are a lot of us old girls returned. Did you read Roland Mathias' obituary? He was brave - a pacifist becoming Headmaster in a garrison town.
Wed Nov 14 11:47:09 2007
Alfie, from PD
If you look on the West Wales Sport web site you will find a link to cricket check out the the pics of the Dock cricket team we're not quite a first class team but you'll never find a better bunch of local PD lads
Mon Oct 1 09:43:13 2007
Melanie Phillips, Pembroke
Reply to Daphne Hart. The school motto for Pembroke Grammar was Semper = alwaysSama Virit. Don't know the meaning of the last part.Melanie Pembroke Grammar 1961 - 68
Wed Aug 15 12:28:14 2007
Daphne Hart (llewellyn) Coventry
Although technically an exile I still visit the Dock regularly. Can anyone remember what the Grammer School (Pembroke Dock then Bush) motto was? I vaguely remember a latin phrase.
Fri Jul 6 13:30:41 2007
Jan Uzzell from Gloucester
My Dad's last posting was to RAF Brawdy and we were based at Buttermilk Close (up on the hill between PD & Pembroke) We then bought a house (our first family home) up on the hill next to the Cleddau Bridge. It was a great town and a smashing place to grow up (I was 12 when we moved there). I can remember being in the choir at St Teilo's church - Happy memories! Re-investing in the area sounds sensible to me!
Mon Apr 23 11:47:13 2007
Sylvia Powell from Cumbria
I was delighted to be reading about the 'dock'. I was born, brought up and married in PD. I have some wonderful memories of growing up with all my true friends. Barbara Boast,Barry Price, Malcolm Phillips, Michael Mcnally, Sally Jones,Brenda Perry just to name a few. I was born at the right time in the right place.
Although times were hard, money was scant we still loved life to the full. I remember waking up one morning to 5 feet of snow outside the back door. I also remember the times when we had to pick the ice off the lavatory seat before we could sit on it!
My grandkids laugh when I tell them. We had more joy then out of one doll and a sock full of fruit for Xmas than any computer or pony!
I now live in The Lake District, on the borders of Scotland but my heart will always be in Pembroke Dock.
Mon Mar 19 15:30:38 2007
Glyn Smith. Gloucester.
It is good the read of all the exiles living away, yet who still remember PD. I was born in Imble Farm, but grew up in Meyrick Street, from where I attended the Coro, and the the old Grammer School. I was a member of the old Pembroke Borough Council for a number of years.I am living in Gloucester at present, but am in the process of moving back to Wales shorthly.A lot has changed in Pembroke Dock but I still remember it with affection.
Wed Mar 14 14:27:52 2007
Norman Sheppard, Argentina
I was born in Hundleton. Played football for Pennar Robins junior team and went to P.D.Grammar School. My dad had his leg amputated playing football for St.Teilo's. I worked in the REME on the quayside for a couple of years and then went to St.David's College,Lampeter. My special memory is of Monti's cafe and the Rose and Crown which was owned by my aunty,Aggie Glaister. I'd love to be back there now but went as a missionary to South America and stayed.
Fri Mar 9 14:56:08 2007
Tim from Pem Dock
I'm Pembroke Dock born and bred, well Bufferland actually. Investment is the answer. The Dock is a lovely town, and a very close knit community full of friendly helpful people. The local council spends millions on the likes of Tenby and Haverfordwest. Well now I think its Pembroke Docks turn. Instead of raping it of all of its good points and giving nothing in return. The (Dock) as its known is stuck with this horrible phrase, but has so much history that no one knows about. Ferry traffic just shoots by without a second glance. So come on investors put your money where your mouth is.
Thu Sep 14 08:59:06 2006
Anthony Lambert,now in Germany
I´m a Dock boy born and bred.Left at the end of the 80´s to join the army.I´ve lived in germany now for 20 years but still love going back home as much as I can.When I can´t get home, searching for photos of Pembroke dock on the web is a good substitute.I enjoyed looking at the slideshow.Thank you
Mon Jan 9 08:48:35 2006
Gladys from North Carolina
I visted Pembroke Dock in July 05. My Great Grandfather was a Master Mariner there in the 1800s. My Grandmother lived there at 23 Water Street. We had lunch at number 9 Water Street. Shephards Pie, very good. Interesting Place.
Tue Nov 22 11:38:57 2005
Marium from North Carolina
I used to live in P.D. about 16 years ago
I was only 13 when I left and I miss everything and everyone.
Tue Nov 8 17:58:15 2005
Teresa from Germany
I lived in Pembroke Dock for over 20 years, and have many good childhood memories of the town. It is a place to be proud of. Pembroke Dock my home town you are indeed a place that I am proud to have come from. Even now living over here, my home is Pembroke Dock, maybe one day I will be back on home soil for good...I miss the place...
Sun Jul 31 22:38:29 2005
Mark from London
I was born and bred in Pembroke Dock and have many good childhood memories of the town. It is now so clean looking and a place to be proud of. The people are so warm and the history so rich. Pembroke Dock my home town you are indeed a place that I am proud to have come from.
Sat Jul 16 07:51:22 2005
JR from PD now Devon
PD I miss the ppl but Devons better.
Mon May 2 15:15:45 2005
Eifion from Bangor
I was born in the Dock 11/08/1952.
I was brought up at 13 Queen St.
I lived next door to the Miller Family and the Orberies had the local shop at the end of the steet.
Pictures if I can find to follow.
Fri Jan 21 23:43:09 2005
Una Blackmore from Ivybridge, Devon
I lived in PD 1945 - 1955, going to Albion Square School & PD Grammar; I was Flint before marriage. Left to go to university but went home regularly until mother died in 1983. Anyone remember me?
Tue Jan 18 13:03:09 2005
Madeleine from California
Left P.D. in 1952 have only made it back twice since then - went to the Coronation school lived on Hawkestone Rd. Enjoy looking at the pictures on this site. Thanks.
Mon Jan 10 17:21:34 2005
Ayla from California
I moved away from Pembroke Dock in 1978 though visited on a yearly basis. I have not been back since 1987 and would love to see more photos - other than the dock. I'm sure all fellow expats would love to see pics of familiar places - shops, banks, etc.
Tue Dec 7 18:46:40 2004
David now from Italy
I used to live in Pembroke Dock 25 years ago, in the ex MoD flats at the dock entrance. It's lovely to see these pictures, but why doesn't somebody do something before it's all lost forever?
I have never been more "at home" than the time I spent in Pembroke Dock. I hope to be able to return one day!
Wed Oct 20 12:26:24 2004
Paul from Tenby
It is such a wonderful town, lots of history, warm friendly people. For goodness sake invest in this place. I work here five days a week,and it saddens me that its potential is not recognised. The Docks and the Cleddau, the history....if this was elsewhere in the UK there would be much more investment in the present and for the future. Come on, we've got a real Gem here in the palm of our hands as these wonderful photographs demonstrate; let's polish it up and show it to the world with even more pride!The town played its part in two world wars and beyond, and with higher than average unemployment and lack of investment in the dock, surely it's our turn to give her more of our support.
Fri Jul 16 12:25:53 2004
John - Jubail - Saudi Arabia
Congratulation Greg, you hit the nail on the head. As an "exile", forced to work away from home and family, why is there no local major investment? Maybe anything it had has now been lost or sold. Maybe this still continues. It would appear that over the years much has been forgotten about the "Dock" and its hidden hand in the history of an empire. The Dock is already the "antique centre" having sold its history time and time again. For much more has now been lost than is remembered. Unfortunately it has only been over the recent years that any attempts have been made to record this by the few. Why over the years was so much lost?
The Dock was once a major centre in the area for 'employment and development' which lasted for a little over a century. The then locals sold what they had cheap. The 'Dock' was treated as a poor relation of Pembroke, which was in fact once 'the purse of Pembrokeshire'. Why are there no trees - the naval board used them. The 'Dock', over the years acted as a magnet for a transient population, (as still does), many of whom settled and took from the Dock that which they thought was theirs... windows from chapels; the welsh guards history; navel history, once famed Sunderlands and so much more history, now lost forever.
The photos simply demonstrate how the 'Dock' is viewed by so many others, a landing stage for the Irish, a location where the dregs of that empire can be sent. Firms that moved into the area, did like so many more, took what they wanted and have since moved on. Obviously those left haven’t had their fill yet, or it’s still a cheap location, still ready to be raped and pillaged and polluted by future travellers.
The 'Dock' is simply 'the place that everyone forgot in time'. Local government still mirrors the above, ready to highlight local schemes that benefit the few at the expense of the many. What is the answer? I don’t think there is one, but we can still wish.
Thu Jul 8 18:20:55 2004
Greg Ralph - Herefordshire
May I suggest that some photographs of the neglected parts of PD might serve to inform PD exiles and encourage their support. It's possible that this could also foster outside investment from commercial concerns who are unaware of the opportunities which exist. The Albion Square Church and the County School were lost but there must be numerous other buildings which might be saved - such as the old Market building. Some nostalgic images may also stimulate those who have left PD to offer support to its regeneration. Blaenavon is copying Hay-on-Wye as a book town, perhaps PD could develop as the Antique centre of West Wales?
Sat Jul 3 10:49:46 2004
Sian from Cardiff
I've spent quite a lot of time in Pembroke Dock, and I find it such an interesting town,the old naval buildings are fantastic, the museum is well worth a visit, so is fort road where the view of the Cleddau is amazing!
Wed Jun 23 12:39:26 2004
Do you have stories or pictures from Pembroke Dock to share? Add your comments below or email your pictures to: wales.southwest@bbc.co.uk
