News

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

Published

10 months 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

Local Government

Clean-up after yacht wrecked on rocks at Lower Town, Fishguard

Published

16 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A YACHT that ran aground on rocks at Lower Town in Fishguard is being cleared by Pembrokeshire County Council after debris washed onto the shoreline.

Council officers attended the scene to assess the situation and begin removing wreckage after the vessel was found stranded among the rocks.

Heavy machinery was brought in to help clear debris from the beach, with workers seen dismantling parts of the damaged yacht and removing material that had scattered along the shoreline.

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed it is aware of the incident and has issued a Notice to Mariners, warning of the potential presence of floating debris in the surrounding waters.

The notice advises vessels navigating in the area to exercise caution while clearance work continues.

No further details about how the yacht came to run aground have been released.

Cover pic:

Council workers clear debris from a yacht that ran aground at Lower Town, Fishguard.

Community

Sea Cadets receive grant, donation and celebrate World Book Day

Published

16 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN SEA CADETS have had a busy and successful week, with new equipment arriving at the unit, a donation from a local organisation, and junior members taking part in World Book Day activities.

The Milford Haven unit recently received delivery of new Standard Horizon VHF radios, which will be used during the upcoming boating season. The equipment was purchased after the group successfully secured funding through the RCD Foundation Grant.

The radios will help cadets develop important communication and safety skills while taking part in maritime training on the water.

The unit also received a £100 donation from Neyland Lodge, with cadets presented with a cheque during the week. Staff at the unit said the contribution would help support activities and training opportunities for young people involved in the organisation.

Leaders at the unit thanked the lodge for its support, describing the donation as a welcome boost for the cadet group.

Meanwhile, junior Sea Cadets marked World Book Day by taking part in a special visit to their local library. Along with members of the Junior Training Organisation (JTO), the young cadets dressed up and learned about the role of a librarian.

During the visit, they explored the library and each chose a favourite book, helping to encourage reading and learning outside the classroom.

Milford Haven Sea Cadets said the week highlighted the wide range of experiences available to cadets, from maritime training and community support to educational activities.

The unit is part of the wider Sea Cadet network operating across West Wales and continues to provide opportunities for young people in the Milford Haven area to develop skills, confidence and teamwork.

Local Government

Petition calling for clean rivers policy wins unanimous support at County Hall

Published

16 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PETITION calling for Pembrokeshire County Council to adopt a stronger Clean Rivers Policy has received unanimous support from councillors at County Hall.

The petition, backed by environmental campaigners and community groups, was presented during a meeting of the council on Thursday (Mar 6). Supporters in the public gallery applauded after councillors expressed their backing for the proposals.

The presentation was delivered by James Harrison-Allen, representing The Cleddau Project, a volunteer-led initiative focused on protecting and restoring the River Cleddau and its surrounding environment.

Campaigners said the atmosphere inside the council chamber was “extraordinary”, with councillors from across the political spectrum voicing support for improving river protection measures in Pembrokeshire.

The petition calls for the council to adopt a clearer policy aimed at improving water quality and tackling pollution affecting local rivers.

Supporters say pollution from multiple sources, including agricultural run-off and sewage discharges, has placed increasing pressure on rivers across Wales, including the Eastern and Western Cleddau.

Following the presentation, councillors backed the petition unanimously, prompting applause from members of the public and campaign supporters in attendance.

The campaign has drawn support from a number of environmental organisations including West Wales Rivers Trust, River Action UK, and the Campaign for National Parks.

Representatives from several organisations and public bodies were also acknowledged by campaigners, including Natural Resources Wales, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, as well as local political representatives Henry Tufnell MP, Samuel Kurtz MS, and Paul Davies MS.

Campaigners say the decision marks an important step in raising awareness of river pollution issues affecting the Cleddau catchment and wider waterways across Pembrokeshire.

The Cleddau Project said the outcome was “a great day for the Cleddau” and praised the work of volunteers and supporters who have helped drive the campaign forward.