A joint Freedom of the towns of Pembroke and Pembroke Dock was held recently when the honour was conferred upon HMS Pembroke.
The parade was led by the Band of HM Royal Marines. The freedom was conferred in special appreciation and remembrance of the strong links that the ship has with Pembroke and Pembroke Dock.
The official joint ceremony was held at Pembroke Castle. The salute was taken at Pembroke Town Hall by the Mayor of Pembroke, Clr. Mary Rose Blackburn, accompanied by the Commanding Officer of HMS Pembroke, Lieutenant Commander Sean J. Ryan, RN.
After the parade through the main street of the town, a joint civic service was held at St. Michael's Church. Later that day, a parade was held in Pembroke Dock and the Mayor of Pembroke Dock, Clr. Sue Perkins, took the salute at the Pater Hall, with Lieutenant Commander Sean J. Ryan, RN, also in attendance.
A local man from Pembroke, Jonathan Moss, serves as a bandsman in the Royal Marine Band, while a man from Pembroke Dock, Mathew Coates, is a member of the ship's company of HMS Pembroke.