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 Dockyard
Chapel in its new roll now houses the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre and 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
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 )
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(Amendment, updates and additions) (AJ) Anndra Johnstone
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