Sixty years ago, just days before he was due to be posted from the Royal Naval Air Station at Dale, a young Naval rating was killed in a road accident.
On the 60th anniversary of his death, Dale villagers have remembered 19-year-old Alan Charles Thomas Parkes, who is buried in the village. A short service at St. James' Church was followed by a tribute at the War Graves headstone in the village cemetery.
Able Seaman Parkes, from Birmingham, died on December 18, 1947, and the tragic accident was recalled at the service by Gwynfor Jones, of the Royal Naval Association.
When a red glow was seen in the sky there were fears that the children's hospital at St. Brides was on fire and an air station fire tender quickly set out. When it was found that the fire was gorse burning the tender began the return journey and overturned near Little Hoaten Farm. Alan Parkes was trapped beneath the vehicle and died before he could be released.
Alan has also been remembered by an old comrade, Steve Baker, who was also a crewman on the fire tender. Jean Thomas, of the Coastlands Local History Group, who organised the tribute, said that a card and flowers had been laid on the grave during the November Remembrance. It was signed by Steve 'Taffy' Baker and the history group would like to make contact with Mr. Baker.
The service was conducted by the Vicar of Dale, the Rev. Dennis Wight. Others taking part were Colonel John Webber, RA; Colonel Douglas Joyce, president of the Milford Haven branch, Royal British Legion, and John Evans, of the Pembrokeshire Aviation Group.
Poppy crosses were laid on the grave by all present.