AT Pembroke Dock a plaque has been unveiled on the site of the former Pier Hotel, commemorating a terrifying day in 1941 when 42 of the town’s residents were killed in devastating air raids.

It was less than a year after the disastrous bombing of the Llanreath Oil Tanks in 1940. Yet even after that tragedy, the air defences of Pembroke Dock were still non existent. There were no anti-air craft guns, little or no work had begun on the construction of air raid shelters, and the Air Raid warning system was at best shambolic.

On the night of May 12, 1941, a parachute mine scored a direct hit on The Pier Hotel, totally levelling it and burying the proprietor Mr Rhys Morris and a number of people staying there.

Annie Gill was the proprietor of the Criterion Hotel opposite. Her hotel too was completely demolished and other properties along London Road were severely damaged, as was a chip shop kept by Mr Frise, just up the hill in Tremeyrick Street.

Fortland House on the opposite corner was destroyed, though it seems that the little pumping station across the road was unscathed.

The Gas Works in King William Street received a direct hit causing severe disruption to the Town services.

Another mine levelled a row of houses in Lower Meyrick Street, one of which was the Three Crowns, where the landlord and his wife were miraculously brought out alive. The Prince Albert pub in Market Street was hit and landlord Mrs Mary Evans and other residents were killed.

Pembroke Dock Town Council said it was an honour to be part of the service commemorating the 85th Anniversary of the bombing. There was a blessing by Rev’d Alex Grace with the names remembered by all in attendance. The plaque which was installed was supplied by the Bicentenary Committee.