The Royal Air Force Ensign has flown again over Pembroke Dock, nearly 60 years after the town’s RAF station closed.

Wales’ senior RAF officer, Air Commodore Adrian Williams, MBE, took the salute as the flag was raised by ATC Sergeant Callum Cook in front of the former RAF Church - now the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre. RAF Pembroke Dock closed in 1959, when the Ensign last officially flew in the town.

This was just one part of a special day at the Heritage Centre to mark the 100th anniversary of the RAF. For nearly 30 years of the service’s history, Pembroke Dock was an RAF station operating a succession of famous flying boats, including the Short Sunderland.

The RAF100 Wales team jointly hosted this special commemorative event with the Heritage Centre on Friday, July 6. In the afternoon, Year 6 pupils from Pennar Community School enjoyed a series of hands-on activities that combined learning about local history with an understanding of science and engineering.

The Heritage Centre also hosted an evening reception, attended by a number of guests including local dignitaries and figures from business, as well as RAF personnel. At the reception, Air Commodore Williams praised the Heritage Centre Team for its work in remembering the long connections between the community and the RAF and endorsed the ‘Many Nations, Many Trades’ exhibition that the Heritage Centre had put together to celebrate the RAF’s centenary.

The exhibition uses uniforms and memorabilia to highlight the personal stories of service personal from many countries who served in the town, especially in wartime. Two of the uniforms, one worn by an Australian airman and the other by a New Zealand airman, were of special interest to two of the event’s special guests, Wing Commander Ruth Elsley, of the Australian High Commission, and Wing Commander Greg Rawdon, of the New Zealand High Commission.

Other guests at the Reception included the chairman of the county council, Clr. Aden Brinn, and council leader, Clr. David Simpson; the Mayor of Pembroke Dock, Clr. Gordon Goff; Mr. Mike Ryan, the Port of Milford Haven’s marine director and harbourmaster, and Mr. William McNamara, chief executive of Bluestone National Park Resort, and former chairman of the Sunderland Trust.

Current chairman, Gareth Mills, welcomed guests who included representatives of aviation organisations in Pembrokeshire, representatives of the Trust’s volunteer team, and individuals such as Mrs. Ann McPhee and members of her family, from Bristol, whose generous donation had funded the Sunderland interactive model now part of the Centre’ education programme. Mrs. McPhee’s late father, Wing Commander Harry Bunting, flew Sunderland before, during and after World War II and the model carries the markings of one the aircraft he flew at Pembroke Dock.

On the night, presentations were given by No 948 (Haverfordwest and St. Davids) Squadron, ATC, on the World War I seaplane station at Fishguard Harbour, and by Squadron Leader Andy Lewis of 230 Squadron, on the squadron’s current roles in today’s RAF. No 230 Squadron was for many years based at Pembroke Dock, flying Sunderlands. The ATC presentation was given by Cadet Will Letten, assisted by Flight Lieutenant Paul Childs. There was a surprise follow up for Will when he was presented with his Corporal’s stripes by Air Commodore Williams, in a well-deserved promotion. Also present were cadets from 1574 (Pembroke and District) Squadron, ATC, led by Adult Sergeant Callum Cook.

A buffet provided by the RAF100 Team and the opportunity to tour the centre concluded a very significant event remembering Pembroke Dock’s long links with the Royal Air Force. The event was co-ordinated by Centre Manager Stuart Berry and Trust Patron John Evans, with the key assistance of Master Aircrew Adrian Mould, of the RAF100 Wales Team.