Mr P James

Pembroke

MR Peter James of Rock Cottage, The Green, Pembroke passed away on January 3, at the age of 77. He had been a resident at Ashdale Care Home following a long illness of five years.

Peter worked in marine and general engineering throughout his working life. Firstly at Hancocks Shipbuilding, rising to engineering manager and latterly setting up his own business, Kingswood Engineering Services in Pembroke Dock.

He retired in 2003. He was a man of gentle qualities and in everyway a gentleman.

Peter was a member of Pembroke Rotary Club, also a Freemason Loyal Welsh Lodge, Pembroke Dock. He also enjoyed caravanning and his 1937 Morris Eight car.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Marcia James (wife); Clark (son); Sam (daughter-inlaw); Phoebe, Amber and Sadie (granddaughters); Phil (brother-in-law); Gill Huntbach (sister-in-law), plus nephews, nieces, cousins and close friends.

The service was held at St Mary’s Church, Pembroke followed by private cremation at Parc Gwyn and was officiated by Rev Canon Roger Jones and Rev Paul Nash.

The bearers were Peter Cookson, Barry Watts, Lloyd Goforth, Phil Huntbach, Lance James and Michael James.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by John Roberts and son, of Pembroke Dock.

 

Mrs J E Duncan

Wooden

MRS Joan Elizabeth Duncan (Betty) passed away on January 12 at the age of 100.

Originally from Cardiff she moved to Amroth and was a business woman within the Saundersfoot area for many years.

Betty got involved very much within village life in Saundersfoot.

She was at her busiest looking after the interests of the Regency Hall, supporting her husband Leslie in his council activities, she was an active member of the festivities committee and was most keen on the New Years Day Swim.

Her interests were music, she loved all types of music, sport and animals.

Her main interest was sport, football and tennis.

One of Betty’s proudest and happiest days was celebrating her 100th birthday and receiving her card from the Queen.

She was predeceased by her husband Leslie Duncan.

The service was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium and was officiated by Stewart Treharne.

The bearers were Stewart Treharne, Paul Hay, Mark Parsell and Graham Thomas.

Donations in lieu of flowers for Macmillan Cancer Support are c/o E C Thomas and son, Funeral Directors, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

 

Mrs M J Chalk

Haverfordwest

THE death occurred after a short stay at Withybush Hospital on January 21 of Mrs Margaret Jane Chalk (Peggy) of Marychurch Court, Albert Street, Haverfordwest.

She was 92.

Originally from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, she was a dancer on the West End Stage, she worked in munitions during the war and also worked at Woolworths.

Before retiring she worked as a nursing auxiliary at Withybush Hospital until 1983.

Her main interests were sequence dancing at Hubberston Dance Club and also the Good Companions Club.

She was predeceased by Benjamin George Chalk.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Sheila Baker (daughter); Anthony Chalk (son); Pam Chalk (daughter-in-law); Martin and Tracy (grandson and wife); Nicola and Craig (granddaughter and husband); Alan and Diana (grandson and wife); Rhian (granddaughter); great grandchildren Angela, Elli, Alex, Christopher, Lauren and Christian.

The service was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium and was officiated by Canon Geoffrey Gwyther.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Roy Folland and Son, of Haverfordwest.

 

Mrs F L Stephens

Pembroke Dock

MRS Frances Lilian Stephens of Brewery Street, Pembroke Dock passed away on January 26 at Withybush Hospital.

She was 88.

After leaving Pembroke Dock Grammar School, Frances worked at Williams the Chemist in Bush Street, before establishing their wet fish business with her late husband Laurie, which they ran for over 40 years.

Her main interests were keep fit, dancing, flower arranging and the friendship club, also going on day trips with friends.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Rosanna Smith-Wrench (niece); Richard and Julie Brawn (nephew and niece); Simon and Alana Smith- Wrench, Matthew Smith- Wrench, Cerith Brawn, Catriona Dando (great nephews and nieces); Max, Zoe, Ted and Grace Smith-Wrench (great great nephews and niece); Jack Fielding together with other family members.

Unable to attend Darren Brawn (great nephew); Emma Brawn (great niece); Gavin Dando (great nephew); Grace Brawn (great great niece).

The service was held at St Johns Church, Pembroke Dock followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth and was officiated by Rev Nicky Skipworth.

The bearers were Richard Brawn (nephew); Cerith Brawn, Simon Smith-Wrench, Matthew Smith-Wrench (great nephews).

A poem was read at the church by Catriona Dando (great niece) and a eulogy by Terry Brace (family friend).

Donations for the British Heart Foundation c/o Mr G Thomas, 34 Charles Thomas Avenue, Pembroke Dock.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by E C Thomas and Son, of Pembroke Dock.

 

Mrs S Bennett

Hakin

MRS Shirley Bennett of Vivian Drive, Hakin, Milford Haven, passed away at her home on January 23.

She was 71.

Originally from Walthamstow she was a seamstress, care home assistant and a barmaid.

She was a seamstress when she retired in 2000.

Her main interests were reading, socialising, jigsaws, watching detective series especially Heartbeat, and also walking her dogs.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are George Bennett (husband); Nina and Ian (daughter and son-in-law); Zoe, Abbi, Amy and Jessica (granddaughters); Richard and Waheeda (son and partner); Kirsten and Caitlin (granddaughters); Richard (stepson); Pat Mason (sister); Natalie and Nicola (nieces) and Louise Bulmer (sister-in-law).

The service was held at St Katherines and St Peters Church, Milford Haven followed by interment at Milford Haven Cemetery and was officiated by Father Graham Lloyd.

The bearers were Richard Blundell, Ian Bowler, Richard Bennett and Andrew Rhead.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Tom Newing and Sons Ltd, of Milford Haven.

 

Mr D A Morris

Dinas Cross

DAVID Andrew Morris of Laurel Villas, Feidr Fawr, Dinas Cross died suddenly at his home on Thursday January 15.

A native of Eglwyswrw, he was the eldest son of the late William and Evelyn Morris and had worked for 22 years as a long distance H.G.V. driver and mechanic with Fishguard Transport.

The service was held at Gedeon Chapel, Dinas Cross on Saturday January 24 and was officiated by his Minister Rev Ken Thomas accompanied by Rev Martin Spain Camrose and Keyston, Rev Alwyn Daniels Dinas, and Mr Richard Davies the future vicar of Little Newcastle.

The organist was Delyth Jones Gedeon.

Flowers for the service were given by Elfyn and Hefina Morris, Cardigan.

He was held in high esteem which was shown by the large number of people who attended the funeral.

The Chapel and Vestry were filled to capacity.

Left to mourn and principal mourners were Lillah (wife); Lynn and Allister Scobbie (Scotland); Gwenllian Evans (aunt) Fishguard; Ken Davies (uncle) Uzmaston; Vivian and Caroline Morris (brother and sister-in-law) Letterston; Eira Morris (sister) Co Durham; Jennifer Morris (sister-inlaw) Haverfordwest together with numerous cousins, relatives and friends.

Unable to attend were Beryl and Sandy Howells (sister and brother-in-law) Letterston.

There were no flowers by request but donations in lieu of flowers if desired towards Gedeon Chapel to the undertakers or Arwel Thomas of J.J. Morris, 21 West Street, Fishguard.

The bearers were Richard Fletcher (godson), Eifion Thomas, Jeff Jones and Arwel Thomas.

The funeral arrangements were made with dignity by Mr Colin Phillips and daughter Lowri, Funeral Directors, 4 Morgan Street, Cardigan.

 

Mrs V J Newton

Pembroke

THE death occurred on February 6 at Withybush Hospital of Mrs Victoria Joy Newton of Whitehall Drive, Pembroke.

She was 69.

As a native of Pembrok,e she worked doing numerous part time jobs, she carried out volunteer and charity work and was a housewife.

Her main interest was her family including her grandchildren.

She was an animal lover, she had various pets including ‘Charlie Brown’ a Labrador, ‘Barney’ a Labrador, cats ‘Merlin’, ‘Bertie’, ‘Blackie’ and ‘Denney’.

She also enjoyed craftwork, patchwork, cross stitch, quilting and sewing, quizzes and fancy dress with her family.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Mr Frederick John Newton (husband); Nicholas, Simon and James (sons); Juliet.

Shelley and Tanya (daughters- in-law); Ben and Joseph, Rebecca and Lily-May, Leah and Theo (grandchildren); Margaret (sister); Louise, Sarah and Mandy (nieces); plus various relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

The service was held at St Mary’s Church, Pembroke followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn Crematorium and was officiated by Paul Nash.

The bearers were Nicholas, Simon and James (sons); Christopher, Michael and Ryan (relatives).

Donations in lieu of flowers for Greenacres Animal Rescue, Haverfordwest and Cancer Research may be sent to E C Thomas and Son, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8QH who also carried out the funeral home.

 

Mr W A L King

Hakin

THE funeral of Mr William Alexander King (Alec) was held at St Marys Church, Hakin on February 13.

The death occurred peacefully on January 30.

Alec was born in Hakin in 1922.

After leaving school he went on to study Civil Engineering but in 1945 he joined the Royal Air Force and trained as a glider pilot.

In March 1945 Alec was badly wounded and taken prisoner after his glider came under fire and crashed, but survived thanks to the work of German surgeons.

At the end of the war Alec returned home and took up the post of Area Surveyor for Pembrokeshire County Council where he continued to work until retirement.

Alec was a long time member of the Waterloo Club and an active Freemason of St Davids Lodge.

He was also a passionate sailor and was part of the team that established the Pembrokeshire Yacht Club in Gellyswick.

As a highly skilled sailor he took part in the 1979 Fastnet Race where his navigation skills were severely tested. 18 people lost their lives during the race due to heavy seas, but thanks to Alec’s excellent seamanship he was able to skipper his yacht safely home with no casualties in his crew.

Alec met Joan in 1982 and they married in 1995. He became a loving stepfather to Caroline and Diane, grandfather to Samantha, Bruce, Charlotte and Ryan, and a great grandfather to Teddy.

Over the last few years Alec had suffered failing health and Pembrokeshire Care gave fabulous support to Alec to allow him to remain living at home.

The funeral director was Tom Newing and Sons, of Milford Haven. Donations for Ward 11 Withybush Hospital and St Marys Church to be sent to Diane Davies, 3 Sandy Haven Drive, Herbrandston, Milford Haven.

 

Mrs V Butland

Tenby

THE funeral took place recently of Mrs Violet Butland who passed at her home on February 12 aged 82.

Vi as she was fondly known was born in Pembroke in December 1932 where she spent her childhood.

Leaving school she went to work in a local factory in Pembroke, leaving there she found a new job in Tenby Woolworths, where she met her loving husband Aubrey.

They fell in love and went onto marry in 1954, travelling to East Africa for three years while Aubrey was in the forces.

Returning to this country they then started a family and went onto have four children Anthony, Andrew, Mark and Teresa. Life was good.

Vi was a character in herself, her laugh could be heard from afar as she had a very wicked sense of humour.

Anyone that knew Vi knew she was big fan of Elvis Presley, and liked nothing better than shaking her leg to his music.

She was a big part in her children and grandchildrens life. She spent all of her free time sharing herself and her love between them all.

Her and Aubrey had some wonderful holidays together travelling through Europe even spending a month on a Panama cruise travelling through South America.

Last year they celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary and had a wonderful day with their family and lifelong friends.

Vi’s health slowly declined later in the year also spending a long spell in hospital.

But being the fighter she was she managed to build herself up and go home to her husband and family where she spent her last days.

She will be greatly missed by anyone that knew her, as she was loved deeply by many.

The family left to mourn are Aubrey (husband); Andrew (son); Mark and Christine (son and daughter-in-law); Teresa and Gary (daughter and son-in-law); Doreen and Bill and family (sister and brother-in-law); Arron, Jamie, Martin, Daniel, Liam, Samantha, Katrina, Penny, Billy, Samantha, Phoebe, Louis, Lisa Marie (grandchildren); Rhys, Ella May, Kayla, Tia, Isla (great grandchildren).

The service was held at St Mary’s Church, Tenby followed by interment at New Cemetery, Tenby. The bearers were her six grandsons Arron, Jamie, Martin, Daniel, Liam and Billy.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by W and MJ Rossiter and Sons Ltd, The Norton, Tenby.

 

Colonel W P Howells

CBE OStJ TD DL

Haverfordwest

PETER passed away on February 16, at Fairfield Nursing Home. His funeral service was held at Parc Gwyn on March 5.

Peter was born in 1931, in Williams Street, Cardigan, home of his grandfather William.

Peter’s father, Colonel Percy Howells and mother Maggie May ran Howells the Jewellers (since 1866), which Peter and later his son Paul were to succeed. The family home was in Tenby where he and his sister, Peggy, spent most of their formative years.

Educated at Ellesmere College, Peter excelled. He became House Captain of Wakeman and School Prefect.

He was captain of the 1st Rugby XV, which much pleased his father Percy, who later became President of the Welsh Rugby Union (1959 – 1960) Before moving home to join the family business in 1950, Peter worked in Selfridges, London to learn about retailing.

After completing two years of National Service in the 1st Battalion, The Welsh Regiment, he began a life with a long association with the military and over 50 years commitment to public service. Upon leaving National Service, 2nd Lieutenant Howells immediately joined the Territorial Army, where his career flourished. He rapidly rose through the officer ranks, becoming the Officer Commanding 224 (Pembroke Yeomanry) Squadron, based in Carmarthen. The only surviving military unit to ever be awarded a battle honour on British soil, having defeated the French invasion at Fishguard in 1797.

In 1973, Peter was selected to become the commanding officer of 157 Transport Regiment and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, where he remained in command until 1976. In 1977 he was again promoted and became TA Colonel Wales, the most senior reservist in the Principality.

Upon retirement, Peter was elected Chairman of Wales Territorial Army and Volunteer Reserve Association, serving with great distinction from 1985 to 1996.

Overlapping this period he was also Honorary Colonel, 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Wales.

He was a long serving member of the Royal British Legion. Firstly joining the Broad Haven branch in 1977 and then rising to become the President for Wales Royal British Legion in 1991, an appointment he held for many years. In addition, he was National Vice President of The Royal British Legion.

In recognition of his service to the military and contribution to the community as a whole, Peter was highly decorated. He received the Territorial Decoration in 1964, and was awarded the OBE Military in 1976. He was made a Serving Brother of the Order of St John in 1980 and an Officer of St John in 1988. In 1983 he was awarded a CBE Civilian, allowing him the rare distinction of being able to wear both OBE and CBE.

In addition to Peter’s military affiliations he was involved in many organisations.

He was made a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Pembrokeshire in 1973. In 1975 he was made a Freeman of Haverfordwest, a Commissioner of Tax in 1977 and High Sheriff for the County of Dyfed in 1980. He was an Aide de Camp to Her Majesty, The Queen, from 1978 to 1982.

In charitable organisations he also excelled, as a founder member of both Tenby and Haverfordwest Round Table, President of Haverfordwest Rotary and President of the Broad Haven RNLI. He was very supportive of youth movements and became President of the Haverfordwest Company, Boys Brigade, the Pembrokeshire Scouts, the Dyfed Committee of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and the Haverfordwest branch of St Johns Ambulance.

Married in 1956 to Marlene Scourfield , Peter made his home in Kendoon, Haven Road Haverfordwest, then later at White Gates, Little Haven.

He had two sons Paul and Philip of whom he was most proud and equally proud of his granddaughter Phoebe.

He was delighted when Paul succeeded him as the fourth generation of Howells in the business and equally so when he learned that Philip had joined the Territorial Army, serving with distinction in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Peter leaves behind Jill, his partner of almost 30 years.

They lived happily in ‘Woodlands’, Haverfordwest, for many years, Peter continued at the helm of the family business right until illness dictated that he be cared for in Fairfields Nursing Home, Johnston. He was content in the care home and looked forward to the visits from Jill, his friends and family.

Peter sadly died in the nursing home with his son Paul by his side.

Donations in lieu for The Stroke Association may be sent to The Manager, Barclays Bank, High Street, Haverfordwest.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Tom Newing and Sons Ltd, of Milford Haven.

 

Mr V Fields

Narberth

THE funeral has taken place of Victor Fields who passed away peacefully on February 24 at Withybush Hospital, aged 76.

‘Vic’ is survived by his devoted wife Kathleen, much loved son Kevin and wife Alison, daughter Sarah and husband Ash, grandsons Benedict and Joseph.

Requiem mass was held at the Church of The Immaculate Conception, Narberth, on March 3 officiated by Father Owen McGreal. Burial was in Ireland at his home village on March 5 at St .Patrick’s Church, Corracrin, Emyvale, Co.Monaghan, officiated by Father Hubert Martin.

Victor left Ireland, aged 16.

He commenced work at Derby and then moved to Wales, Manchester, Barnstaple, M40 Oxford and West Bromwich.

Whilst working at West Wales Construction, Narberth, Victor helped dredge Neyland Marina off ‘Samson’. Later he worked for McAlpines and Tarmac, finally retiring from G D Harries, Narberth where he spent his happiest hours as a plant operator.

Victor was always happy at work and will be much missed for his sense of humour by his family and friends.

Donations may be sent in lieu of flowers for ‘The Cancer Day Unit Appeal’ at Withybush Hospital or ‘Adams’s A Bucketful of Hope Appeal Ltd’ to: Debbie Traylor at , ‘ Next Door’ Florists, 21 High Street, Narberth, Pembs SA67 7AR.