News

Pembrokeshire RNLI crew’s valiant WW2 rescue attempt without a lifeboat

Published

1 month ago

May 8, 2025

Angle RNLI volunteers and aerodrome men rushed to the coast as 72 died in one of the worst maritime disasters of the war

IT was Easter Sunday, 25 April 1943, when tragedy struck off the Pembrokeshire coast in one of the deadliest non-combat maritime disasters of the Second World War. With gale-force winds battering the cliffs and wild seas pounding the shore at Freshwater West, two heavily laden landing craft were caught in a storm they were never designed to survive. By the end of the night, 72 young servicemen were dead.

The two vessels, LCG 15 and LCG 16, were Landing Craft Guns—flat-bottomed ships hurriedly converted from tank carriers to floating gun platforms. They had left Belfast en route to Falmouth, carrying Royal Navy sailors and nearly 70 Royal Marines, bound for the upcoming Allied invasion of Sicily. Neither craft had undergone sea trials. When the weather deteriorated in Cardigan Bay, they requested permission to take shelter at Fishguard and later Milford Haven. For reasons never properly explained, both requests were refused.

As the landing craft battled mountainous seas, they began shipping water through large, uncovered deck spaces—areas that had been left open during their rushed conversion. Many aboard had already expressed concerns. Some joked the gaps could serve as swimming pools; others warned they were death traps.

By the time the vessels reached the waters off Freshwater West, they were floundering. The RNLI lifeboat from Angle was undergoing repairs and could not be launched. But this did not stop the crew, members of the Angle Lifesaving Company, and men from the nearby Angle Aerodrome from rushing to the beach and cliffs to attempt a rescue.

Without a lifeboat and with no equipment capable of battling such violent seas, they could only watch in horror as LCG 15 disappeared beneath the waves. Her companion, LCG 16, managed to stay afloat until later in the night, but it too was eventually lost.

The bodies of marines and sailors were later pulled from the sea and recovered from the surrounding rocks. Many were never found. It was, and remains, one of the most tragic maritime losses in West Wales, made more devastating by the knowledge that it might have been avoided.

In the midst of this disaster, further tragedy unfolded. HMS Rosemary, an old Royal Navy sloop returning to Milford Haven after convoy duty, was diverted to the scene. Spotting LCG 16 still afloat off St Ann’s Head, the crew of the Rosemary attempted a rescue. But the seas were too rough to pass a line. With the men aboard the LCG waving desperately for help, six sailors from the Rosemary volunteered to take the ship’s small whaler and try to reach the landing craft.

The tiny boat was launched and quickly lost from view in the storm. Moments later, a massive wave overwhelmed it. All six volunteers drowned. Not long after, LCG 16 also went down.

To this day, questions remain. Why were the landing craft allowed to sail in such condition? Why was shelter denied in Fishguard and Milford Haven? An official inquiry took place, but with the war ongoing, it was quickly buried. No one was held accountable.

High on the dunes above Freshwater West, a small memorial stands as the only public marker of the disaster. For those who know the story, it serves as a poignant reminder—not only of the 72 men who died, but of the Pembrokeshire villagers and airmen who ran to help without hesitation, despite having no lifeboat, no weapons, and no way to save the doomed crews beyond watching and mourning.

In the annals of wartime heroism, the efforts of the people of Angle that Easter night deserve to be remembered. Even without a boat, they stood ready.

Pictured above: An annual memorial service is held to remember those who died in the tragedy (Image: Martin Cavaney)

The Pembrokeshire Herald’s coverage of the VE Day 80 commemorations are kindly sponsored by PMR

News

Tenby councillors seek new member to fill vacancy

Published

10 hours ago

June 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

TENBY TOWN COUNCIL is inviting residents to put their names forward to fill a vacant seat on the council following the resignation of a councillor.

The council will be filling the role by co-option, rather than holding a by-election. This means that eligible individuals can apply directly to be considered, and councillors will then vote to select a new member.

Anyone interested must be over the age of 18 and meet standard criteria such as living or working in the Tenby area.

The vacancy is in the South Ward. The successful candidate will join the remaining members of the council in representing the town on local issues.

Those wishing to be considered should submit a letter or email outlining their interest and suitability for the role by 12:00 noon on Friday, July 5, 2025.

Applications should be sent to the Town Clerk, Andrew Davies, at Tenby Town Council, The De Valence Pavilion, Upper Frog Street, Tenby, SA70 7JD, or by email to [email protected].

The co-option will take place at the full council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 9, 2025.

Business

Much-loved Narberth restaurant Madtom closes and goes on the market

Published

14 hours ago

June 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A POPULAR restaurant in Narberth has closed its doors and is now up for sale.

Madtom Land & Sea, known for its fresh seafood and highly rated dining experience, announced the closure this week, bringing an end to six years of trading in the bustling Pembrokeshire town.

The team behind Madtom shared the news on social media, saying the decision had been made “with a heavy heart” and that it was “time to slow down a little, gather our thoughts and focus on the next chapter.”

The restaurant, which boasts more than 300 Tripadvisor reviews and a near-perfect Facebook recommendation rating, has now been listed for sale. Interested parties are encouraged to get in touch to arrange viewings.

The statement thanked customers and staff, saying: “Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past six years, and to our fantastic team—we couldn’t have done it without you.”

The announcement prompted an outpouring of messages from loyal customers and locals.

Kevin Clarke wrote: “Amongst the best dining experiences in Pembrokeshire. Good luck for the next chapter.”

Sue James-Davies said: “Very sorry you are closing but wish you all the very best for the future. Narberth won’t be the same without you.”

Caroline Husecken added: “So sad that you have closed—you will be so missed by us all in Narberth. You have been a huge asset to the town.”

The business is currently being marketed via private enquiry.

Community

West Wales marchers press on as Egyptian authorities crack down on Gaza protest

Published

15 hours ago

June 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

No reports of Pembrokeshire detentions as international participants face violence and deportation

ACTIVISTS from Pembrokeshire taking part in the Global March to Gaza remain on course to reach the Rafah border crossing on Sunday (June 15), despite a sweeping crackdown by Egyptian authorities on demonstrators from across the world.

The Herald understands that no members of the West Wales delegation, including Jim Scott and Tasmin Nash, have been detained, and Scott remained active on social media as recently as Friday morning.

However, disturbing scenes have emerged from Cairo and beyond, where activists from countries including France, Spain, Turkey, Canada, and the UK have had their passports confiscated, been forcibly removed from checkpoints, and in some cases physically assaulted by men in plain clothes. Footage circulating online shows demonstrators being kicked and dragged away, while some tried to defend themselves by throwing water bottles.

According to organisers, at least 40 protesters had their passports seized and were held in the heat without being allowed to move. Others—around 15 activists—are being held in hotels under restriction.

Among those confirmed detained are:

Paul Murphy, Irish MP
Faruk Dincer, Turkish MP (reportedly injured during arrest)
Hala Rharrit, former US diplomat who resigned in protest over Washington’s handling of the war

Murphy posted: “We have had our passports confiscated and are being detained. It seems Egyptian authorities have decided to crack down on the #GreatMarchToGaza. We are refusing to board the deportation bus.”

The Global March to Gaza involves over 4,000 people from 80 countries, including a delegation of West Walians who set off from Al Arish on Friday morning for a 30-mile, three-day trek across the Sinai desert, aiming to reach Rafah on Sunday.

A separate 2,000-strong convoy travelling from Tunisia was also stopped by security forces in eastern Libya on Friday.

Despite the chaos, Jim Scott, a tree surgeon from Mathry, and CND Cymru delegate, has not reported any arrest or obstruction, telling supporters on Thursday night: “I’m OK. Safe for tonight. But an insane day. Completely insane.”

Tasmin Nash, an art curator and mother of four from Pembrokeshire, also remains unconfirmed among any detained. Speaking earlier this week, she said: “I cannot rest. I cannot stay silent. Now is the time to mobilise our passion and humanity. We are united for justice and solidarity for Palestine.”

The crackdown reflects Egypt’s tense balancing act. As the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel and a major recipient of US military aid, Egypt has attempted to publicly call for peace while suppressing grassroots pro-Palestinian actions within its borders.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that he expected Egypt to “halt demonstrators at the Egypt-Israel border”, adding that their arrival would “endanger the security of IDF soldiers” and would not be tolerated.

Meanwhile, Israel has allowed limited aid into Gaza since last month, but international aid groups and UN agencies warn that the volume is nowhere near sufficient to meet the needs of the population. The humanitarian situation remains catastrophic.

Organisers of the march have called on embassies to intervene to secure the release of detained protesters, stressing: “We are a peaceful movement, and we are complying with Egyptian law.”

The Herald will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as the West Wales delegation nears Rafah.