The Dockyard's original garrison was provided by Royal Marines. Their first barracks was HMS Dragon, a beached 74 gun warship which had been seen action before the Battle of Trafalgar.The marines would have repelled any foreign attackers, but their actual duties included peacekeeping in the local countryside. Farmers, frustrated at having to pay to use toll roads, took matters into their own hands.

 

During the Rebecca Riots (1842-3), midnight gangs - normally led by "Rebecca", a horseman disguised in woman's clothes - methodically wrecked the tollgates of Southwest Wales. As desperate magistrates summoned help, the marines were hurried to destinations including Cardigan (by steamer) and St. Clears - to find smashed gates and, sometimes, a polite note from the elusive Rebecca. The troubles abated after 1844, and the Marines returned to Dockyard duties.

 

The yard quickly developed into a national asset, needing well planned protection from enemies. A network of coastal forts spread out from Pembroke Dock, along Milford Haven. Pembroke Dock itself, with more barracks and camps, had by World War 1 become Britain's seventh largest garrison town.

 

(Sources: Mason 80; Peters 10; Williams, Rebecca, 193, 212-4, 230, ;Watts)

 

Soldiers march out from the newly built Defensible Barracks, c. 1848. A  Llangwm girl, with her fish-basket,  looks on.

 

Picture of Defensible Barracks c. 1848, by courtesy of Pembrokeshire County Libraries