Paterchurch Battery
Paterchurch Battery was built by the Admiralty in 1840 - 42 on the western side of Pembroke Dockyard, on the site of a fort built during the Seven Years War. In 1856 the battery was taken over by the ordnance department and renovated from plans prepared by Lieutenant Charles Gordon (1833 - 1885), later General Gordon of Khartoum.
This famous military figure was stationed in Pembroke Dock with the Royal Engineers in 1851, and sailed from the town that year for the War in the Crimea.
The battery, which mounted 23 guns, was much used by the Pembroke Dock Artillery Volunteers for practice and drill. This volunteer movement was first started in the town in 1859 and the men wore a grey uniform. In 1860 its name was changed to the 2nd Pembrokeshire Rifle Volunteers, but two years later this name was altered to the Pembroke Dock Volunteer Artillery. The commanding officer was Captain Edgecumbe Chevalier who was eventually succeeded by Captain J Richardson. He held command for some years. The post of surgeon at that time was filled by a Dr Reynolds, and the sergeant majors were W H Lloyd and George Sloggett.
On July 10, 1861, a ceremonial silver bugle was presented to the Volunteers who also received a set of Colours - the imaginative and skilful work of some Pembroke Dock ladies. These Colours were later given to the Vicar of St Mary’s Church, Pembroke, presumably after the regiment was disbanded outside the old Pater Battery in 1884. It would be interesting to know what became of them.
In 1904 a new volunteer company, known as C Company, the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Welsh Regiment, was formed in Pembroke Dock, and some time later the silver bugle presented to the town’s volunteer artillery back in 1861, was passed to the new company during an official parade. The battery itself was dismantled in 1903, but traces of the defensive walls of the original fort can still be seen on the seaward side and the Resident Naval Officer’s Office is the former soldiers’ quarters.
