Pembroke Dock Heritage Trust had the privilege of welcoming HRH The Princess Royal to the town’s Heritage Centre on Thursday, September 11 to celebrate the return of the historic 1945 RAF Memorial Window.

HRH The Princess Royal receiving a warm welcome at Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre to celebrate the return of the RAF Memorial Window
HRH The Princess Royal receiving a warm welcome at Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre to celebrate the return of the RAF Memorial Window (Observer photo)

Princess Anne was greeted by local school children waving flags, and on a morning marked with dramatic downpours, did well to arrive in sunshine. She met various dignitaries, volunteers and townspeople as she was escorted on a guided tour of the Heritage Centre. The princess appeared very interested and engaged throughout.

The Princess Royal engaging with community members at Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre
The Princess Royal engaging with community members at Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre (Observer photo)

The RAF Pembroke Dock Memorial Window was dedicated in the RAF Station Church (now the Heritage Centre) in 1945, just weeks after the end of World War II. Pembroke Dock was the first RAF Station in the country to remember its war casualties in this way.

Recalling previous royal visits, including that of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip for the town’s bicentenary, former RAF officer Rik Saldanha MBE, Chair of Pembroke Dock Heritage Trust, said:

“Exactly 80 years on from the original dedication, the window has returned home, and as a trust, and as a community, we are honoured with its custodianship - a centrepiece in the history of this building, the only Georgian military chapel in the UK, as far as we know.”

The Princess Royal was invited to unveil a plaque marking the return of the historic RAF Pembroke Dock Memorial Window.
The princess was invited to unveil a plaque marking the return of the historic RAF Pembroke Dock Memorial Window, 80 years on from its original dedication (Observer photo)

Before an audience of approximately 50, he then invited the Princess Royal to unveil a small plaque by the window. Her Royal Highness replied that she was delighted to do so and, in a short but gracious speech that began with “Can I just say thank you for your invitation to join you here?” expressed gratitude for all that has been achieved - “to tell this story: Pembroke Dock, the Sunderlands, but also to maintain this chapel, understanding the importance of this building and its continued use.

“Congratulations on getting the window back!” Princess Anne continued. For all sorts of reasons that is an extraordinary memory to have - that it was done so quickly; to have it here seems entirely appropriate. The history that you tell here is quite foreshortened in a way, but it’s a very specific one, and you tell it very well so thank you all very much indeed for doing that, and it’s a pleasure to join you today.”

Visitor book signed ‘Anne’ at Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre
Visitor book signed ‘Anne’ at Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre (Observer photos)

Local Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz was among those attending. He noted: “Her Royal Highness Princess Anne was full of admiration for the work of all the volunteers and trustees at the Heritage Centre in promoting the proud military and royal history of Pembroke Dock.”

Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre - waiting for Princess Royal arrival
A party of around 50 volunteers, dignitaries and community members assembled to welcome Princess Anne to the Heritage Centre. (Observer photo)

The magnificent stained glass memorial - ‘In proud and grateful memory of the officers and men who gave their lives whilst serving on this station in the cause of freedom 1939-1945’ - remained in the east window until the closure of the RAF station in 1958. It has spent the last 30 years in the RAF Museum in London. At the start of this year it was confirmed that the museum had offered to return the window to its original home on a long loan basis.