Two hundred years ago today (Wednesday, May 14) the first houses were built in what is now known as Pembroke Dock.

Today marks the 200th anniversary of the construction of the first houses in the sleepy hamlet of Paterchurch, which later became the new town of Pembroke Dock.

The first house to be built is believed to be what is now The Shipwright on Front Street.

The house was originally called number one Thomas Street and it was occupied by Mr Thomas, a foreman of shipwrights’ in the fledgling Royal Dockyard.

Pembroke Dock is unique in being home to Wales’ only Royal Dockyard. In Great Britain, Pembroke Dock is the only town to have played host to all three of the armed services.

As well as the Royal Navy Yard, which constructed more than 260 ships, including five Royal Yachts, Pembroke Dock was also a major Garrison town for the British Army and later an RAF Base, home to Sunderland aircraft, which played a vital role in the Battle of the Atlantic.

Pembroke Dock Bicentenary Group has organised a packed schedule of events throughout 2014 to mark 200 years since the birth of Pembroke Dock.

For more information go to the Pembroke Dock Bicentenary Group Facebook page or go to http://pembrokedock.org.uk/bicentenary/