Research
For research projects big and small
Whether you are in search of information for a school project, researching your family history or writing a dissertation. Many researchers have made use of our facilities including authors, production companies and playwrights…
Our volunteer researchers are happy to help answer simple research questions on any of the following subjects:
- Shipbuilding in Pembroke Dock
- The Royal Navy and Pembrokeshire
- Local history of Pembroke Dock and the surrounding area
- Army units stationed in Pembroke Dock and in Pembrokeshire
- Fortifications, defensive structures, barracks and garrisons in Pembroke Dock and Pembrokeshire
- The Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, other commonwealth or allied air forces in Pembroke Dock and in Pembrokeshire
- Short Sunderlands and other Short Brothers flying boats
- Flying boats in Pembroke Dock and Pembrokeshire
- and much more…
You can email us at collections@pdht.org and give us a specific question. Please remember to give as much background information as you can.
Questions can be regarding advice on research skills or places to look for information, or straightforward questions about any of the above subjects, such as:
- I have my grandfather’s service number and I know his regiment, where can I find his Army records?
- When was HMS Erebus built, how many years was she in active service and what was her fate?
- When did the last military unit leave the defensible barracks in Pembroke Dock, which unit was it?
- Can I find out who the Master Shipwright was in 1887?
- Which squadrons were in Pembroke Dock in 1950?
More detailed questions will require more time, and whilst our volunteers are always happy to help, we may not be able to find all of the answers.at
Sending in an enquiry is free, but we do welcome donations, particularly if we are able to provide the information that you have been looking for.
Research library and access to the collections
At the Heritage Centre, we have a small research library, which includes non-fiction on the the following subjects – particularly with volumes that have a specific relevance to Pembroke Dock or Pembrokeshire:
- Aviation, aircraft, air warfare, the Royal Air Force
- Armed forces, the British Army, arms and armaments
- World War I, World War II, specific battles or engagements within those wars
- Commonwealth armed forces linked with Pembroke Dock
- Axis and Allied armed forces with links to Pembroke Dock
- The Royal Navy, maritime heritage, maritime warfare
- Biographies
- Local history of Pembroke Dock
Our collection of artefacts includes the following sorts of items:
- Photographs, particularly pertaining to 1930s, 1940s, 1950s
- Military memorabilia, medals, certificates, cap badges, insignia, etc.
- Uniform
- Ephemera
- Original art relating to Pembroke Dock
Please note that we do not hold the official archive for the Royal Dockyard or for the town of Pembroke Dock. The county records office will hold most of the official documents relating to the town, and military records are likely to be held by the relevant branch of the Ministry of Defence.
Visitors can make use of the research library, or can have access to some of our collections, by appointment.
To make an appointment to see the library or to access the collections, please get in touch with us on collections@pdht.org
Because of the voluntary nature of our research team, we may not be able to reply immediately. We will respond as soon as possible.
Please remember that Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre is run by a charity. Accessing our research facilities is free but we are grateful for donations in return for volunteer time in helping with your enquiry.
