A DIRECT connection with Pembroke Dock’s illustrious naval past has been made through the donation to the town’s Heritage Centre of the uniform of the penultimate Royal Navy officer to command the Pembroke Dock naval base.

In handing over his uniform tunic and cap, retired Commander Fred Hatton, MBE, recalled his five and a half years as Queen’s Harbour Master and Resident Naval Officer at Pembroke Dock - the longest serving peacetime commander.

During a very varied 35-year naval career Fred Hatton joined as an Artificer Apprentice before passing the officer selection process and becoming top officer cadet of his year at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. He trained as a pilot and flew Hunter jets from Royal Naval Air Station Brawdy in the 1960s. He was then selected to fly Gannet airborne early warning aircraft, his first aviation posting at sea was to the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes.

Fred transferred to the Navy’s helicopter fleet, flying Sea Kings from HMS Ark Royal and Wasps from frigates and destroyers. He later commanded a squadron of Lynx helicopters before his active flying career finished.

In 1986, on promotion to Commander, Fred returned to Pembrokeshire to command the Navy’s Marine Mooring and Salvage Depot at Pembroke Dock. During his time here he initiated the donation of mooring anchors now located on the first roundabout into the town, at Waterloo.

On retirement after further postings, Fred began a second career as a civil servant in the Department for Work and Pensions, based at Pembroke Dock Job Centre. After 26 years he retired again at the end of August 2025.

The Heritage Centre’s Collections Trustee, Trevor Clark, said: “Although Pembroke Royal Dockyard closed in 1926 the Royal Navy continued to have a presence in the dockyard for nearly 200 years, up until the White Ensign was finally lowered over the Depot in 2008. Commander Hatton’s uniform is a very important addition to our collection of Royal Navy items.