Fishguard and Goodwick
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The picturesque harbour of Lower Fishguard was once home to fifty coastal trading vessels. Fishing was also important, and smoked herrings were exported to southern Europe. Fishguard’s ‘twin town’ of Goodwick was a fishing village until mid-Victorian times, after which it began to develop as a seaside resort.
In 1899 a huge harbour complex was constructed here for the Great Western Railway Company. For a brief period before the First World War the great Transatlantic liners called at Goodwick, and it still serves as a terminal for car ferry services to Ireland.
Goodwick
On the cliff top footpath at Harbour Village is a brick observation post, built to overlook the seaplane station (see below). At Dyffryn, behind the town sign, is a WW2 spigot mortar post. Once very common, but now rarely found, this would have been used by the local Home Guard as a mounting post for an anti-tank mortar.
Fishguard’s Air Station
During the latter part of World War I a seaplane station was established at Fishguard Harbour. The site chosen was three acres to the north of the railway station and work began early in 1917 under the supervision of Squadron Commander John T. Cull, DSO, Royal Navy.
July 1946 - Searchlight Bty, PY0136 Trefwrgi
A canvas and wood hangar was erected, along with sheds and a ramp for the launching and recovery of seaplanes. As a temporary arrangement two GWR railway carriages were installed as on-site accommodation for the men, who were billeted in Goodwick village, and the Fishguard Bay Hotel became the officers’ quarters. The base came under the operational control of the Vice-Admiral, Milford Haven and, following the formation of the Royal Air Force in April 1918, it became a RAF station. Seaplanes operated at Fishguard included the Sopwith Baby and various versions of the famous Short 184 family - both single-engined biplane types. Their role was anti-submarine and maritime protection patrols over the Irish Sea and St George’s Channel, helping to protect merchant shipping and the ferries to Ireland. The aircraft were operated by No's 426 and 427 Flights, later becoming No 245 Squadron, RAF. Tragedy struck the newly opened station on a Sunday evening in April 1917 when a Sopwith Baby piloted by Flight Lieutenant Bush crashed into a cliff on take-off. The pilot was injured in the fire that followed but remained fully conscious and was treated at his quarters at the Fishguard Bay Hotel. Sadly, 26-year-old Bush died the following Tuesday and his funeral with full military honours was recorded in the newspapers and by a local photographer. When fully staffed the air station had a complement of 30 officers, 13 senior NCOs, 135 junior NCOs and other ranks and 54 women - 19 of whom were designated as ‘household’. There were 12 seaplanes allocated to the station. The authorities had estimated that the station would be completed by 31st March 1919. By then the Great War was over and the military had no long term plans for the station. No 245 Squadron disbanded in May of that year and soon Royal Naval Air Station Fishguard was consigned to history. A slipway near the lifeboat station is all that now remains of the seaplane base.
Locations of Interest
- Fishguard Harbour
- A memorial in the departure hall at Fishguard Harbour ferry terminal recalls those who died during WW2 following attacks on the Irish ferries St Patrick, St Andrew and St David. Back to map
- Fishguard Town
- Behind the town's primary school and Catholic school can be seen four examples of WW2 fifty-person air-raid shelters. Back to map
- Marine Walk
- A number of WW2 searchlight batteries were located along the coast here. Back to map
- Royal Oak, Fishguard Square
- A room at this inn was used as the headquarters of the defence force rapidly put together to meet the threat of the French Invasion of 1797. Back to map
- Fishguard Fort
- Fishguard Fort occupies a natural defensive site on a promontory overlooking Lower Town Harbour. It was built in about 1780 in response to the threat posed by privateer raiders and in particular the activities of Paul Jones and Stephen Manhant. Back to map
- Maesgwynne Farm
- This farm on the outskirts of Fishguard was the site of a large Royal Marines camp during WW2. Back to map
Information from: Dyfed Archaeological Trust
- CASTLE POINT
- 18th century fort overlooking Fishguard Harbour. In 1797 the garrison, surprised by the French, fired a blank shot as a warning as they had no real ammunition. It was sufficient to drive the French around to Carreg Wastad (PRN 2614) MRP 2008 Back to map
- WEST STREET FISHGUARD
- 1940-45, Civil Defence, Air Raid Shelter, present use school store. Single storey, brick built, rectangular plan, flat concrete roof, doorway in southern wall, escape panel converted into a window in northern wall, ventilation bricks in eastern and west Back to map
- WEST STREET FISHGUARD
- 1940-45, Civil Defence, Air Raid Shelter, present use school store. Single storey, brick built, rectangular plan, flat concrete roof, doorway in southern wall, escape panel converted into a window in northern wall, ventilation bricks in eastern and west Back to map
- CASTLE POINT
- See PRN 5015. Included in the scheduled area of 5015. GW. 1996. Back to map
- GOODWICK
- The feature lies at the landward end of the eastern breakwater of Fishguard Harbour. It is identified as a weapons pit by Thomas with anti invasion associations. It is a pentagonal enclosure, 4m across x 0.6m high, built of a single line of brick set o Back to map
- GOODWICK BRIDGE
- According to Thomas, a circular earthen weapons pit with anti-invasion associations. Not visited by Thomas or during present survey. GW. 1996. Back to map
- MARKET SQUARE NO.26;ROYAL OAK
- Public house in Fishguard Square. A room in the inn was used as the headquarters of the defence force that tackled the French invasion of 1797. MRP 2008 Back to map
- THE WARREN
- In an area sloping to the east toward the coastal slope. The area has rocky outcrops and much loose stone. It is covered in bracken partly burnt off during the field visit. the area is known as 'The Warren' (PRN 17551), but there is no trace of ar Back to map
- THE WARREN
- The site lies just above the edge of the coastal slope. The area supports grass and bracken. Part of cairnfield 32095. It is a circular mound, 3m across x 0.5m high, overgrown. It looks like a clearance cairn although there are natural outcrops i Back to map
- THE WARREN
- On ground sloping to the east to the coastal slope. The area supports grass and bracken. Part of cairnfield 32095. It quite regular in form. Although there are clearance cairns in the area, this is large enough and regular enough to be ritual. T Back to map
- THE WARREN
- A cairn measuring approximately 2m across and 1m high. GW. 1996. Back to map
- PWLL HIR
- On ground sloping to the west toward Fishguard Harbour. The area supports grass, bracken and brambles. An irregular but roughly flat and slab like stone, set on its edge, measuring 1.2m long x 1m high. There is an ? erratice a few meters to the ea Back to map
