THE communities of Pembroke and Pembroke Dock joined together to mark Armed Forces Day with a service of thanksgiving, hosted by the Pembroke Dock Heritage Trust for the two town councils.

The event continued a recently established tradition. Staged in the grounds of the historic Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre - formerly the 190-year-old Royal Dockyard Chapel - the service was conducted by the town Vicar, Rev’d Alex Grace.

Mayors of the two communities, Councillors Tony Wilcox and Jonathan Grimes, led the welcome and others taking part were Pastor Rob James of Pembroke and Pastor Grayham Passmore, chaplain to the Heritage Trust. Lessons were read by Councillor Gareth Jones of Pembroke and Dr Andy Watkin, Vice-chairman of the Heritage Trust.

In smart red coat uniforms, Army cadets were among the standard bearers, joining colleagues from the Pembroke Dock and Neyland cadet detachments, and the event was well supported by the VC Gallery and by owners of military vehicles, including wartime Jeeps, and re-enactors.

Following the service, the Pembroke Dock Corps of Drums performed on the steps of the chapel.

This year, the Pembroke and District Male Voice choir led the singing of the hymns before performing five items under the direction of deputy musical director Ian Williams, with deputy accompanist Bev Evans at the keyboard. This was a double ‘first’ for Ian and Bev who had to contend with blustery conditions - their first official duties since joining the choir earlier this year. MC was Matthew John.

Following the service there was an opportunity for everyone to visit the Heritage Centre which this year has a new and acclaimed exhibition on HMS Erebus - a warship built at Pembroke Royal Dockyard exactly 200 years ago which has gone down in maritime history for its tragic part in the ill-fated Franklin Expedition to the Arctic in the 1840s.