A COMMEMORATION service was held on Hamilton Terrace, Milford Haven, on Sunday (Apr 27) to mark ANZAC Day and to honour those who fell in all conflicts, especially at Gallipoli and Normandy.

The event also paid tribute to the crew of the Wellington bomber that crashed near the site during the Second World War.

A strong turnout gathered for the moving service, with local groups including the Sea Cadets, Royal British Legion, and military representatives in attendance. Milford Haven’s Mayor, Councillor William Elliott, laid a wreath on behalf of the town.

The service, organised by the Royal British Legion Club – Milford Haven, served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the ANZAC forces and others over the years.

A spokesperson for Milford Haven Town Council said: “A lovely turnout for the ANZAC Day memorial service. We will remember them!”

ANZAC Day is observed annually in Australia and New Zealand, and across the world, to commemorate the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli during the First World War, as well as those who served and died in all wars and conflicts.

(Images: MHTC)

A MAJOR sewage flood at Broad Haven School has sparked outrage in the village, coming just hours after a planning application was submitted for a 76-home development that would put even greater pressure on the area’s already stretched infrastructure.

On Saturday (Apr 26), a burst sewage pipe flooded the school’s playground, covering it in raw sewage in scenes likened by locals to “cattle slurry.” Welsh Water responded quickly with vans and engineers to contain the incident. Pembrokeshire County Council contractors were on site on Sunday disinfecting the contaminated area and working to remove the worst of the stench.

Fortunately, the sewage did not enter the school building itself. However, the lower part of the playground — where the playgroup stores its outdoor equipment — has been badly affected. The Herald understands much of the playgroup’s equipment is likely beyond saving.

The school is hopeful it will be able to open as normal on Monday (Apr 28), although the playgroup section will remain closed due to the loss of equipment.

The timing of the flood could not be more controversial. Just the day before, Mill Bay Homes submitted a major planning application to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority for 76 houses on land east of Marine Parade in Broad Haven. Developers have pledged £500,000 to upgrade pumping systems to support the new estate, but villagers fear that these improvements will not address the broader, long-standing problems with the area’s sewage system.

A concerned local resident, who asked not to be named, told The Herald: “It’s such an old system, it all needs starting from scratch. Millbay Homes are paying £500,000 to upgrade pumps, but it will only mitigate their own 72 houses. It won’t solve the wider problem.

“The treatment works already can’t cope. Now with bigger storms and more extreme weather, this kind of sewage spill is just going to happen more often.”

Official figures show that Broad Haven’s sewage treatment works discharged untreated sewage into the environment for more than 600 hours last year, with dozens of separate incidents recorded.

Pembrokeshire County Councillor for The Havens, Nick Neumann, visited the flooded school site on Saturday and praised Welsh Water for acting swiftly to clean and sterilise the area. However, he said the weekend’s events proved beyond doubt that urgent infrastructure investment is needed.

He said: “Dŵr Cymru really do need to double down and invest more into the infrastructure of The Havens. The frequency of discharges onto the beach is evidence enough that the system is not fit for current purpose, let alone for more properties.”

Councillor Neumann confirmed he would be writing to Dŵr Cymru this week to press for action. He urged residents to contact local MP Henry Tufnell to increase pressure on the authorities to secure major upgrades.

Broad Haven’s sewage system, designed decades ago for a much smaller village, relies on pumps to push waste uphill out of the valley to treatment works. The Herald understands that these facilities are now operating at or beyond their intended capacity.

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority will now face mounting scrutiny as it considers the 76-home application against the backdrop of widespread concern about whether Broad Haven’s basic infrastructure can cope with further expansion.

Despite the creaking infrastructure, the water company have been praised for their swift response to the school incident by locals.

Welsh Water have been contacted for a comment.

• In a seperate incident much of Broad Haven was without water on the same day due to a burst water main.

TRIBUTES PAID TO SAILORS AND MARINES WHO PERISHED IN LANDING CRAFT TRAGEDY

A MOVING service of remembrance was held at Freshwater West today (Thursday, April 24) to honour the memory of the sailors and Royal Marines who lost their lives when Landing Craft Gun (Large) 15 and 16 and HMS Rosemary were lost off the Pembrokeshire coast in April 1943.

The solemn gathering took place at the memorial above the beach where the disaster unfolded during a fierce storm 82 years ago. Wreaths were laid, prayers were said, and tributes were paid to the bravery and sacrifice of the men who perished in what remains one of Wales’ worst maritime tragedies.

Veterans, serving members of the armed forces, civic leaders, cadets, police, RNLI and residents joined together to pay their respects.

The disaster that should never have happened

On the night of April 25–26, 1943, LCG(L) 15 and LCG(L) 16, heavily laden and caught in a violent Atlantic gale, were refused shelter first at Fishguard and then at Milford Haven. Battered by enormous waves, both landing craft were swamped and ultimately sank off Freshwater West, taking dozens of men with them into the freezing sea.

HMS Rosemary, an ageing Royal Navy sloop, attempted a rescue but suffered tragedy of her own when six sailors drowned after their small boat capsized in the storm.

In total, at least 79 men—Royal Navy and Royal Marines—lost their lives. Many are buried in Milford Haven Cemetery or commemorated at naval memorials in Portsmouth, Plymouth and Chatham.

Community remembers

Representatives from the Royal British Legion, Milford Haven Sea Cadets, and local history groups attended today’s service, alongside members of the public who stood in silent tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

A minute’s silence was held overlooking the waters where the two landing craft went down, followed by the playing of the Last Post. Wreaths were laid on behalf of Milford Haven Town Council, Pembrokeshire County Council, the Royal Navy, and veterans’ organisations.

Speaking at the event, a representative said: “On this coastline where they were lost, we gather to remember not only their sacrifice, but also the tragedy of their passing. Their memory lives on in Milford Haven, and will never be forgotten.”

Relatives of some of the men travelled from across the country to attend, reflecting the enduring bond between those who serve and the communities they leave behind.

Calls for formal recognition

Despite the scale of the disaster, it received little public attention during the war, and the full findings of the Board of Enquiry were never released. Campaigners are continuing to call for a formal apology and greater national recognition ahead of the 85th anniversary in 2028.

As the wind swept across the beach today, the message from Freshwater West was clear: the sacrifices of April 1943 will always be remembered.