Three US officers attended Lamphey church to remember their fallen comrade and present a memorial plaque, earlier this month.

The US Petty Officers from the Coast Guard came to remember their unknown comrade, who died at the end of the first World War.

The Soldier was on board the Tampa, which was based in Pembroke Dock when the USA declared war on Germany in 1917.

The Tampa was used to escort convoys from Milford Haven to Gibraltar and back, successfully completing 18 voyages.

On September 26, 1918, she was seen by the German submarine, the UB91 who fired a torpedo which claimed all hands.

David James of the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society said: "Some days later two bodies washed ashore in Freshwater East in Pembrokeshire and were taken to Lamphey Church and given a respectful burial.

"One was identified as 30-years-old James Fleury, he was returned to his family in 1919 for burial in his home town in Queens, New York.

"After his death his mother used a Ouija board to communicate with him and thought that his ship had been sunk by a Zeppelin airship."

The second sailor was never identified and remains in Lamphey Church to this day.

The Lamphey community, aided by David James have been communicating with the US Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington DC, letting them know that the centenary of the sinking of the Tampa was close.

The three Petty Officers attended the church to remember their comrade and present a memorial plaque recording their appreciation that the villagers had taken care of the grave. They also presented a cheque of $1000.