A SERVICE to remember the fishermen who lost their lives on board four Milford Haven trawlers was held in Milford Haven recently.

Led by Father Harri Williams, the annual memorial remembers the crews, and families, of the the Milford Viscount, the Richard Crofts, the Robert Limbrick, and the Boston Heron.

Among those paying tribute was Ann Marvelly, 72, whose father Jack McIntosh was scheduled to serve on the Milford Viscount in March 1950.

After experiencing a premonition when he stepped on board, Mr McIntosh – whose brother and father had both also worked as fishermen – refused to go on what would turn out to be the super trawler’s last ever voyage.

In April of that year, The Times reported that the trawler and its crew of 13 had gone missing.

The search for the vessel went on for weeks, with the RAF and aircraft from Ireland and Pembroke Dock also joining the effort.

On May 11, the search was finally abandoned. The crew, made up mainly of men from Hakin, Haverfordwest and Milford Haven, was presumed lost.

Mrs Marvelly, who was seven when the trawler went down, said she can still remember the impact the news had on the town, and on her father.

“He never sailed again, and he never got over it,” she said.

“He took that to his grave, the fact he should have gone down with the others.”

She said the annual service was vital to remember all the men who died, not just those on board the Milford Viscount.

“I remember the tragedies, and the tears,” she said. “I don’t just come for him but for everyone, I remember them all being lost.

“It would be criminal to forget this part of Milford’s history. This town was built on their sacrifices.

“It’s so important we remember them, here and all over the world too.”

After the service, Mayor of Milford Haven, Cllr Eric Harries, laid flowers in memory of those who died.