THE SOUTH PEMBROKESHIRE BRANCH of the Royal Artillery Association has enjoyed a 12-month period full of events and changes. After several changes of venue, the Branch have now settled down and hold their monthly meetings in the Pembroke Dock Cricket Club. Also, the Branch’s Secretary for the past 28 years retired from the post at the AGM in 2023. Colin Friend and his wife Florrie continue to attend meetings and contribute fully to the running of the Branch.

After a very successful St Barbara’s Day Lunch in December 2022 and an AGM in February 2023, 3 new members joined the branch.

Wreaths were laid by the Branch`s Chairman, Chris Roberts at the Remembrance Ceremony in Pembroke, and at ceremonies at Freshwater West (near Pembroke), Milford Haven on Anzac Day (where a Wellington bomber aircraft crashed into an area of Milford Haven killing 4 New Zealand and Australian officers and soldiers) and the Normandy Veterans Service (also held in Milford Haven and organised by the British Legion). A wreath was also laid by other members of the branch at the Pembroke Dock Remembrance Service. Finally, a wreath was laid in the Pembroke Dock Military Cemetery, near to the site of the former Llanion Barracks which saw the last Royal Artillery unit leave Pembroke Dock in 1967. Poignantly and sadly, members of the branch attended the funeral of Ted Owens, a native of Pembroke Dock who died at the age of 99 years old. Ted, a Royal Marine, had landed as a 21-year-old on the beaches of Normandy during the D Day landings, had been wounded and evacuated to a field hospital and subsequently, after being wounded 3 times, was demobbed at 21 years old! The large turnout of all Regiments and Corps paid tribute to this fine old soldier. The branch Standard was paraded at all these events by our Standard Bearer John Swilka.

The Branch have enjoyed visits to Pembroke Dock by the quite recently appointed Veterans Commissioner for Wales – James Phillips – who gave a talk on his new role and responsibilities. The branch also welcomed our Regional Representative Clive Boyles who highlighted the fact that Wales had only 3 RAA branches still operating, namely Wrexham, Rhondda and South Pembrokeshire. Clive also spoke regarding his role as the Regional Representative.

Liaison continues with our Affiliated Royal Artillery Battery – 12 (Minden) Air Assault Battery RA. The Branch send best wishes on Minden Day and received a warm response. The Branch also send a message of congratulations to King Charles III on his Coronation and received a letter of thanks.

Probably the highlight of the year was the visit made to the National Memorial Arboretum for the RA Service of Remembrance Day in July, when 6 members travelled from Pembroke Dock to Burton on Trent to attend the occasion. A full day of events was enjoyed by the visiting members , some for the first time, and the opportunity of meeting up with old comrades. Despite the weather, Standard Bearers from all over the country maintained their usual high performance.

The Branch has continued to forge links with the British Legion in Milford Haven and the VC Gallery Centre which operates both in Pembroke Dock and Haverfordwest. Although consisting of only 24 members, South Pembrokeshire Branch have organised many fund-raising events throughout the year and continue to make contributions to the RACF.

During the visit by Clive (and his partner Gill), a branch photograph was taken and is enclosed with this article.

In this area of historical Royal Artillery presence, with Manorbier, Pendine, Penally and Castlemartin (in their heydays!), seeing many Gunners pass through their gates, it is considered that there are many RA veterans in our area, and we continue to try and recruit new members, to foster good social ties and maintain the feeling of the Gunner Family.

So, if you live in the South Pembrokeshire Area and you are reading this, don’t delay – PLEASE GET IN TOUCH, TODAY!