The History of Pembroke Dock
Introduction
Welcome to the part of the Pembroke Dock Community Web Project that deals with the history of Pembroke Dock, this site can be navigated by hovering over the section heading buttons above and clicking on a sub-heading. It is hoped to soon be able to include a fully integrated downloadable and printable  version.........enjoy

Lady on Barack Hill, 1848, by courtesy of Pembrokeshire County Libraries.  Llangwm lady on Barack Hill, ca 1848, by courtesy of Pembrokeshire County Libraries.  Pembroke Dock shipwright, by courtesy of Tenby Museum & Art Gallery.   Pembroke Dock soldier 1914, by courtesy of Mr George Lewis.  Pembroke Dock soldier, by courtesy of Mr George Lewis.
Pembroke Dock's restored buildings offer striking evidence of the town's rich history. Irish ferry passengers pass, for example, the Royal Dockyard's elegant Georgian architecture. The Dockyard Chapel (1831-) is restored, as are the 1930s flying boat hangars. Just outside the yard are the refurbished market (1826) and the 1851 Gun Tower on Front Street. The tower, in its new role, houses the town's museum. 

Military history

Pembroke Dock's layout and buildings date mostly from Dockyard times (1814-1926). The town's shipbuilders constructed 263 vessels for the Royal Navy, ranging from gunboats to battleships and the Royal Yachts Victoria and Albert I, II and III.

The forts and barracks which protected the Dockyard and housed the garrison are still prominent. The enormous hangars in the Dockyard are reminders of World War II's largest operational flying boat base. Pembroke Dock was an RAF base from 1930 until 1957.

The last regular Army unit left in 1967. The western part of the Dockyard remains a salvage depot.

Town history 1814-1926
An area which had been open farmland was, by 1901, a town of 11,000 people. Its central industry was shipbuilding - the Royal Dockyard generated the wealth which supported shops, the market, and community and civic life.

Townspeople and benefactors provided many of early community buildings - particularly chapels, the Temperance Hall and the Mechanics' Institute. Hotels and public houses were also, naturally, popular venues.

The town's development continued in an age when governments encouraged local authorities to provide yet more amenities and services, improving the quality of life. Schools came to offer education for all. The borough council commissioned gas street lighting, and ensured the town was provided with water and sewerage systems - public health was an increasingly important responsibility.

In its early decades, Pembroke Dock had housed a sometimes primitive community of hardworking "pioneers". By 1914, its community had developed into a well-provided civic society.

In this period, colourful street processions were a memorable feature of town life, often celebrating the opening of schools or public buildings.

In World War I Pembroke Dock was a substantial garrison town, and the Dockyard remained in production. After the war, though, it became clear the yard was to close
 
For a non-frame version of this time line click here
 

Date

 World Events Pembroke Dock Time Line  

. Town history 1926-2004

Dockyard closure (1926) dealt the town's economy "the cruellest blow ... ever suffered". Bankruptcies and distress followed. "Look at Pembroke Dock," protested Labour leader Willie Jenkins. "One time prosperous people are glad and delighted to have a food ticket tonight".

Some workers moved to other Royal Dockyards, and the town's public buildings now served a depleted community, "a town of unemployed and pensioners". Smaller private marine industries continued, and after 1930 the new RAF station brought back some prosperity.

With its air base, barracks and naval oil depot, Pembroke Dock was a prime target for World War II air raids. Many lives were lost. In 1940, after an attack, eleven gigantic oil tanks were consumed by fire. In 1941 a series of raids left areas of the town in ruins.

Both light and heavy industry provided work after 1945, with factories at Kingswood, and construction and manning of the nearby oil refineries and power station. The Dockyard has been a base for marine services since the 1950s, and for the Irish Ferry terminal since 1979.

(Sources: WT 15 July 1926; PT Almanac 1927 )

Acknowledgements:
We would like to thank all who have helped with historical information and reminiscences, and particularly the staff at:

- Pembroke Dock Library
- Pembrokeshire County Libraries (local studies collection)
- Pembrokeshire Record Office
- Pembrokeshire County Council Museum Service
- Pembroke Dock Museum & Archive, and - Tenby Museum & Art Gallery.

Authors:
John Davies
John Evans
David James
David LL. Jones
Lawrence Phillips
Ivan Southall
Ronald G. Watts

Editorial & photo-processing work : Yenta Appleton.
Photographers include: Gwen Griffiths - Wayne Wilkins LMPA, Creative Looks.
O.C.R. text scanning : John & Lyn Gibbs.
Web Production- MoonlightBlue Community Services

Pictures by courtesy of: header, CS Ocean Layer & Sunderland 1955, Pembroke Dock Museum Trust - Ladies on Barrack Hill, Pembrokeshire County Libraries - Shipwright, Tenby Museum & Art Gallery - Soldiers, Mr George Lewis.

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Hon President B. M. Rixon MBE
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 Web Project Co-Ordinator- © MoonlightBlue