Pembroke Dock (Civilian Casualties) War Memorial

The Town of Pembroke Dock suffered heavily from German Air Raids during World War Two, due to its military importance and also to the location of the nearby oil refineries. The largest raids were carried out between July 1940 and June 1941. On 19 August 1940, a German bomber hit the Admiralty oil tanks at Llanreath. The fire burned for nearly three weeks, destroying 33 million gallons of oil, and threatened to engulf the town. It was the largest ever fire in Britain and could be seen from North Wales. Fire crews from as far away as Bristol and Birmingham were needed to control the blaze, and several members of these brigades were killed. Pembroke Dock was heavily attacked during the early hours of 12 May 1941, when 32 people were killed, and over 2,000 homes destroyed or damaged. The last major air raid on Pembroke Dock was on 11 June 1941, when much of town was set ablaze by incendiary bombs. After this the raids slowed down and had stopped by 1943. Below are the details of the people known to have been killed at Pembroke Dock during World War Two as a result of these air raids who are commemorated on the town WW2 War Memorial at St. John’s Church, together with the basic details on them. Some 67,092 Commonwealth civilian war casualties are commemorated in the Civilian War Dead Roll of Honour, which is located near St. George’s Chapel in Westminster Abbey, London.

Civilian Casualties. World War Two, 1939-1945

James Allen. James was killed at the Prince Albert Inn, Melville Street, Pembroke Dock during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941. He was 29 years old, and is buried at Pembroke Llanion Cemetery.

William George Barry. William was the son of James Barry, of 32 Julian Terrace, Port Talbot. He married Violet May Stein of 61, Newbridge Road, Port Talbot in 1937. He died at Prince Albert Inn, Pembroke Dock, during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941. William was 28 years old and is buried at Pembroke.

John Thomas Baskerville. John was the son of James and Elizabeth Baskerville, of The Poplars, Cosheston. He married Edith Mary Willars in 1911, and the couple lived at 91, High Street, Pembroke Dock. John had served during WW1 with the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, and had seen action at Gallipoli and in Palestine. He was an Air Raid Warden at Pembroke Dock during WW2. He died at Imble Lane, Pembroke Dock, alongside Cyril Jenkins and Arthur James Kavanagh, during an Air Raid on 11 June 1941, while part of a group attempting to douse fires caused by incendiary bombs. He was 53 years old, and is buried at Monkton. His wife Edith had died just two months previously.

John Alfred Bowen. John was the husband of Susannah Bowen, of 42, Laws Street, Pembroke Dock. He was seriously injured during the big Air Raid of 12 May 1941, at 41 Laws Street, and died at the County Hospital, Haverfordwest on 1 May 1945, aged 65. John is buried at Haverfordwest City Road Cemetery.

Mrs. Annie Rowland Brazel. Annie was the daughter of Walter Seymour Pounder and Florence Matilda Pounder of Pembroke Dock. She married William Matthew Brazel, a soldier from Cardiff,  in 1919, and the couple lived at 6, Gwyther Street. William had served with the Welsh Regiment during WW1, and had died in India while serving with the army in 1924. Annie was 43 years old when she was killed after her house was hit during the air raid on 12 May 1941. Her two daughters, Kathleen and Doreen were killed with her, as well as her father Walter.

Mrs. Doreen Annie Hearn (nee Brazel). Doreen was the daughter of the late William Matthew Brazel and Annie Rowland Brazel (nee Pounder), of 6, Gwyther Street, Pembroke Dock. She was the wife of R.S.M. Ronald William Henry Harry Hearn, of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. She died with her mother and sister Kathleen when a German bomb destroyed their home at 6, Gwyther Street on 12 May 1941. She was 18 years old, and is buried at Pembroke.

Miss Kathleen Brazel. Kathleen was the daughter of the late William Matthew Brazel and Annie Rowland Brazel (nee Pounder), of 6, Gwyther Street, Pembroke Dock. She was 21 years old when she was killed along with her mother and sister Doreen at their home at 6, Gwyther Street when it was hit by a German bomb during the air raid on 12 May 1941.

Richard Essex Burder. Richard was the son of George and Elizabeth Martha Burder, of Pembroke Dock. He had worked for the GWR prior to the war, before serving at Pembroke Dock as a Police War Time Reserve Constable. He was killed at RAF Pembroke Dock during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941. He was 53 years old, and is buried at Pembroke Llanion Cemetery.

Stanley Herman Buxton. Stanley was the son of James and Ilma Buxton, of Melbourne. He served as a Platoon Commander with the Pembroke Home Guard, and lived at the Pier Hotel Pembroke Dock.  He was severely injured during the massive Air raid of 12 May 1941 at the Pier Hotel, and died the same day at Llanion Barracks, Pembroke Dock. Stanley was 27 years old, and is buried at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Pembroke.

Frederick George Davies. Frederick was the husband of Iris Muriel Davies (nee Attley), of 6 Llanbradoch Street, Cardiff. He was a Fireman with Cardiff Auxiliary Fire Service, and was one of the crew that was brought to Pembroke Dock to try and contain the blaze at Llanreath. He died at Llanreath Fuel Oil Depot, Pembroke Dock on 21 August 1940, aged 27, and is buried at Cardiff Western Cemetery.

Frederick William Oliver Dunn. Frederick was the son of William Robert Henry Dunn and Emily Jane Dunn (nee Bryant), of Pembroke Dock. He married Irene Mildred Phillips of Pembroke Dock in 1933. He was a Corporal in the Royal Air Force and was on leave, staying with his Gran at 4, Gwyther Street, Pembroke Dock when the house was hit by a bomb during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941. Frederick was 29 years old and was killed along with his Grandmother Mary. He is buried at Pembroke Dock (Llanion) Cemetery.

Mary Dorothy Dunn. Dorothy was the Grandmother of Frederick Dunn, and was killed along with Frederick at 4, Gwyther Street during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941. She was 99 years old.

Agnes Gwendoline Evans. Agnes was the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Anne Evans, of 37, Laws Street, Pembroke Dock. She was killed along with her father Thomas at 37, Laws Street during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941, and was 43 years old.

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Treharne Evans. Mary was the widow of George Lloyd Evans. She died at the Prince Albert Inn, Melville Street during the air raid on 12 May 1941. She was 69 years old, and is buried at Pembroke.

Thomas Evans. Thomas was the husband of the late Elizabeth Anne Evans, and lived with their daughter Agnes Gwendoline Evans at 37, Laws Street, Pembroke Dock. He was 74 years old when he was killed alongside Agnes in their home at 37, Laws Street during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941, and is buried at Pembroke.

Mrs. Hannah Maria Beatrice Hammerton (nee Harries). Hannah was the daughter of John Frederick and Emily Jane Harries. She had married Robert Edward Holden Hammerton, a New Zealander, in 1933, and the couple lived at 35, Laws Street, Pembroke Dock. She was killed along with her parents at 35 Laws Street, Pembroke Dock during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941, aged 32. Her husband Robert had died on 17 March 1941.

John Frederick Harries. John was the husband of Emily Jane Harries. He died with Emily and their daughter Hannah at 35, Laws Street, Pembroke Dock during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941. John was 63 years old, and is buried at Pembroke. His brother Thomas had been killed in France in 1917.

Mrs Emily Jane Harries. Emily was the wife of John Frederick Harries. She died along with John and their daughter Hannah at 35, Laws Street, Pembroke Dock during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941. Emily was 68 years old and is buried at Pembroke.

Mrs. Maude Harvey, B.A. Maude was the daughter of William and Mary North Comery, of Denver, Frances Field, Saundersfoot (formerly of Llandeilo).She had remained in London after gaining her B.A., and married Dr. Bertram Thomas Walter Harvey in 1931. She was 33 years old when she died at Bertram’s mothers home at 16, Bush Street during the Air Raid of 6 November 1940, and is buried at Pembroke.

Maurice Heath. Maurice was the husband of Charlotte Elizabeth Heath (nee Corney). He was killed alongside Charlotte at 3, Melville Street, during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941. He was 70 years old and is buried at Pembroke.

Mrs. Charlotte Elizabeth Heath. Charlotte was the daughter of William and Mary Cornery, of Pembroke Dock. She married Maurice Heath in 1918. She died alongside Maurice at 3, Melville Street when it was bombed during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941. She was 72 years old and is buried at Pembroke.

Mrs. Elizabeth Hutchings (nee Noakes). Elizabeth was the daughter of Frederick and Martha Noakes, of Pembroke Dock. She married William Henry Hutchings in 1892, and William had died in 1936. Elizabeth was killed at 33, Laws Street, during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941. She was 72 years old and is buried at Pembroke.

Mrs. Mary Jane James (nee Bottomley). Mary was the wife of James James, of 26, Prospect Place, Pembroke Dock. She was killed at 111, Banstead Road, London during an Air Raid on 16 April 1941. She was 55 years old, and was brought home for burial at Pembroke Llanion Cemetery.

Cyril Morris Jenkins. Cyril was the son of William James Jenkins and Mary Jenkins (nee Morris), of 5, Hill Street, Bufferland, Pembroke Dock. He was killed at Imble Lane, Pembroke Dock while helping to put out fires during the Air Raid of 11 June 1941. He was 18 years old and is buried at Pembroke. He is also commemorated by a Memorial Clock in Pembroke Dock Memorial Park.

Ellis Jones. Ellis was from 41, Beverley Street, Port Talbot. He died at Pembroke Dock during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941, aged 58.

Arthur James Kavanagh. Arthur was the son of Albert George Kavanagh (H.M. Forces) and Cecilia Kavanagh, of 14 Hill Street, Pembroke Dock. He was just 12 years old, and was a volunteer Messenger for the local Air Raid Precaution, when he was killed at Imble Lane, Pembroke Dock while attempting to put out fires during the Air Raid of 11 June 1941. Arthur is buried at Pembroke (Llanion) Cemetery. He is also commemorated by a Memorial Clock in Pembroke Dock Memorial Park.

Ivor John Kilby. Ivor was born in Cardiff in 1911. He married Winifred Davies in 1932, and the couple lived at 44 Gilligaer Street, Cathays. He served as a Leading Fireman with Cardiff Auxiliary Fire Service, and died at Llanreath Fuel Oil Depot, Pembroke Dock, while fighting the oil fire on 21 August 1940. Ivor was 29 years old, and is buried in Cardiff (Cathays) Cemetery.

Mrs. Catherine Emily Kinton (nee Brown). Catherine was the wife of William Henry Kinton, of 14, Bush Street, Pembroke Dock. She was killed alongside her husband at 14, Bush Street, during the Air Raid of 6 November 1940. She was 74 years old and is buried at Pembroke Llanion Cemetery.

William Henry Kinton. William was born at Galway on 10 February 1869, and was a Grocer and General Merchant at Pembroke Dock. His first wife Rebecca had died in 1907, and he married Catherine Emily Brown in 1908. The couple lived at 14, Bush Street, Pembroke Dock. William was killed alongside his wife at 14, Bush Street, during the Air Raid of 6 November 1940. He was 71 years old and is buried at Pembroke Llanion Cemetery.

David Michael Lenham. David was the 18 month old son of Corporal Richard Owen Lenham, R.A.F., and of Edna Mary Lenham. He was killed alongside his mother at 4, Gwyther Street, Pembroke Dock, during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941.

Mrs. Edna Mary Lenham. Edna was the Wife of Corporal Richard Owen Lenham, R.A.F. She was 24 years old when she died alongside her 18 month old son at 4, Gwyther Street, Pembroke Dock, during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941.

Richard Owen Lenham. Richard was born in Wandsworth in 1911, and had married Edna Mary Vinall at Portsmouth in 1938. He served as a Corporal with the Royal Air Force, with the service number 514334, and was on leave with his wife and son David at 4, Gwyther Street, Pembroke Dock when the house was destroyed during the Air Raid of 12 May 1951, killing the entire family. Richard was 29 years old and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.

Harding Robert Ingledew Leonard. Harding was born in 1899, the son of Robert Mathew Ingledew Leonard and Sarah J. Leonard, of 40, Laws Street, Pembroke Dock. He had served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers during the final months of WW1. He was living and working in Portsmouth during WW2, and was injured during an air raid there on 29 April 1941, dying at Queen Alexandra Hospital the same day. He was 42 years old.

Alexander McKenzie. Alexander was the son of John Knox McKenzie (H.M. Forces), and of Lily Elizabeth McKenzie. He was 18 years old when he died alongside his Mother and Brother at 31, Laws Street, during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941 and is buried at Pembroke Llanion Cemetery. His Brother John died later in the war on active service.

Cyril McKenzie. Cyril was the son of John Knox McKenzie (H.M. Forces), and of Lily Elizabeth McKenzie. He was 13 years old when he died at 31, Laws Street, along with his Mother and Brother on 12 May 1941 and is buried at Pembroke Llanion Cemetery. His Brother John died later in the war on active service.

Mrs. Lily Elizabeth McKenzie (nee Thomas). Lily had married John Knox McKenzie (H.M. Forces) in 1918. She was 45 years old when she died at 31, Laws Street alongside her two youngest sons during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941, and is buried at Pembroke Llanion Cemetery. Her oldest son John died later in the war on active service.

Clifford Mills. Clifford was the son of John and Maud Mills, of 118 Brunswick Street, Canton, Cardiff. He served as a Fireman with Cardiff Auxiliary Fire Service, and died at Llanreath Fuel Oil Depot, Pembroke Dock, while fighting the oil fire on 21 August 1940. Clifford was 31 years old, and is buried at Cardiff (Western) Cemetery.

Trevor Charles Morgan. Trevor was the son of Reginald James. Morgan, and Martha Ann Morgan, of 46 May Street, Cathays, and the husband of Hilda May Morgan, of the same address. He was a Fireman with Cardiff Auxiliary Fire Service, and died while fighting the oil blaze at Llanreath Fuel Oil Depot, Pembroke Dock on 21 August 1940. Trevor was 32 years old, and is buried in Cardiff (Cathays) Cemetery.

Miss Eileen Morris. Eileen was the daughter of Rhys and Sophia Morris (nee Lloyd). She was just 15 years old when she died with her father at the Pier Hotel, Pembroke Dock, during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941.

Rhys Morris. Rhys was born in St. David’s in 1901, the son of David and Mary Ann Morris. He married Sophia Lloyd in 1924. He was 40 years old when he died alongside his daughter Eileen at the Pier Hotel, Pembroke Dock, during the Air Raid of 12, May 1941.

Mrs. Annie Oakes (nee Davies). Annie was born in Pembroke Dock on 7 January 1890, the daughter of David and Annie Davies. She married Arthur Samuel Oakes at Pembroke Dock on 16 April 1910. The couple later lived at 111, Banstead Road, London. The Pembroke Dock memorial states that she lived at Lewis Street, Pembroke Dock. Annie was killed along with her husband  Arthur and their daughter Gladys at 111, Banstead Road, during an air raid on 16 April 1941. She was 51 years old. Her brother David John Davies had been killed in France while serving with the 1st Welsh on 23 July 1915.

Arthur Samuel Oakes. Arthur was the son of Arthur and Fannie Oakes, and was a Bootmaker. He married Annie Davies at Pembroke Dock on 16 April 1910. Arthur was killed along with his wife Annie and daughter Gladys at 111, Banstead Road, London during an air raid on 16 April 1941. He was 52 years old.

Miss Gladys Minnie Oakes. Gladys was born in Pembroke Dock on 22 January 1911, the daughter of Arthur Samuel Oakes and Annie Oakes (nee Davies). She was killed along with her parents at 111, Banstead Road, London, during an air raid on 16 April 1941. She was 30 years old.

Isaac Charles Freeman Owen. Isaac was the son of Isaac and Letitia Owens, of Pembroke. He married Lilian Davies in 1935, and the couple lived at 11, Bournemouth Avenue, Pembroke Dock. Isaac was 30 years old when he was killed at 43, Park Street, Gosport, during an air raid on 10 January 1941.

Mrs. Alice Georgina Peters (nee Canton). Alicia was the daughter of William and Eliza Ann Canton of Pembroke Dock. She married Sydney John Peters in 1912. She was 54 years old when she was killed alongside her husband at 2, Myrtle Villa, Swilly, during an Air Raid on 22 April 1941.

Sydney John Peters. Sydney was the son of John Harris Peters and Margaret Emma Peters of Pembroke Dock. He married Alice Georgina Canton in 1912. He was 60 years old when he was killed alongside his wife at 2, Myrtle Villa, Swilly, during an Air Raid on 22 April 1941, and is buried at Pembroke Llanion Cemetery.

Thomas Phillips. Thomas was killed during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941 while at Prince Albert Inn, Melville Street, Pembroke Dock. He was 46 years old, and is buried at Pembroke.

Walter Seymour Pounder. Walter was the son of Walter and Sarah Pounder of Pembroke Dock. He married Florence Matilda Rees in 1897, and the couple lived at 6, Gwyther Street, Pembroke Dock. Florence had died in 1937. Walter was 63 years old when he died along with his daughter Annie Brazell at 6, Gwyther Street, during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941, and is buried at Pembroke Llanion Cemetery.

Harry Howard Rixon Reynolds. Harry was the son of Dr. Howard David Reynolds, and of Agnes Reynolds, of Pembroke Dock. He married Elizabeth Evans in 1907. He was 71 years old when he died alongside his wife at 39, Laws Street during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941 and is buried at Pembroke Llanion Cemetery.

Mrs. Elizabeth Reynolds. Elizabeth was born at Llangain, the daughter of Benamin and Esther Evans. She married Harry Howard Rixon Reynolds in 1907. She was 63 years old when she died alongside her husband at 39, Laws Street during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941 and is buried at Pembroke Llanion Cemetery.

Henry Roach. Henry was killed at Prince Albert Inn, Melville Street, Pembroke Dock during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941. He was 29 years old and is buried at Pembroke Llanion Cemetery.

Mrs. Agnes Blanche Robinson (nee Rowlands). Agnes married Joseph Martin Robinson at Pembroke Dock in 1938. She was 52 years old when she died at 4, Melville Street, during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941 and is buried at Pembroke Llanion Cemetery. Joseph remarried the following year.

Mrs. Ellen Frances Saunders (nee Nicholson). Ellen was the daughter of Mr. F. T. Nicholson, of 4 Tremeyrick Street, Pembroke Dock. She married Leslie Saunders (H.M. Forces) in 1936. She was 27 years old when she was killed during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941 and is buried at Pembroke Llanion Cemetery.

John Frederick Thomas. John was the son of David and Catherine Thomas, of 88 Swansea Street, Splott. He married Florence May Slade in 1934, and the couple lived at 16 Elaine Street, Splott. He served as a Fireman with Cardiff Auxiliary Fire Service, and died while fighting the oil blaze at Llanreath Fuel Oil Depot, Pembroke Dock, on 22 August 1940. John was 31 years old and is buried in Cardiff (Cathays) Cemetery.

John Henry Thomas. John was 49 years old when he was killed at 31, Laws Street, Pembroke Dock, during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941. His wife survived the explosion, but was obviously badly shaken.

Cyril William Underhill. Cyril was the husband of Florence Underhill (nee Ryan), of 2, Grove Road, Bridgend. He died at the Prince Albert Inn, Melville Street, Pembroke Dock, during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941. Cyril was 27 years old.

Elizabeth Williams. Elizabeth was the daughter of Daniel Williams, of Llanview, Llancefn. She was 32 years old when she died at the Pier Hotel, Pembroke Dock, during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941.

Hendrick Desmond Hamilton Williams. Hendrick was the son of Thomas David and Gertrude Irene Williams, of Penlan, Salem, St. Clears. He had served with the Artists Rifles and the Royal Air Force during WW1. He was the licensee of the Swan Hotel, at St. Clears, but died while visiting family at 8 Gwyther Street, Pembroke Dock, during the Air Raid of 12 May 1941. He was 42 years old.

Matilda Williams. Matilda is listed on the memorial as being from 91, Military Road, but she is not listed among the WW2 Civilian casualty roll. A woman named Eathilda Adeline Martha Williams died in Pembroke district around the time of the big air raid on the town on 12 May 1941, but she is also not on the roll.