WALES’ only Military Cemetery in Pembroke Dock has been fully restored to its former glory in time for the centenary of the First World War.

The Llanion cemetery contains the war graves of 40 Commonwealth service personnel of the First World War and 33 of the Second World War.

It was closed to the public at the beginning of last year after a 1915 war grave belonging to Private F Ryan completely caved in, leaving a hole around 6ft-wide and 20ft-deep.

Despite the cemetery re-opening at the end of January, the ground around Private Ryan’s grave remained fenced off while the Ministry of Defence (MOD) considered its options.

Engineers have now finished filling in the sink hole, thought to have been caused by limestone erosion, and a clay-cement grouting was used to stabalise the ground.

Back in January, the Western Telegraph reported that a “notice of intention” to exhume six graves - those of J O’Brien, Private J McGuiness, Gunner William Henry Hurley, Private F Ryan, Private Charles Joseph Duffy and Private E Sullivan - was hanging on the cemetery gates.

But the MOD confirmed the work was completed without any graves being exhumed.

A MOD spokesman added: “It was necessary to close the cemetery in January last year for health and safety reasons after a grave collapsed, creating a large opening and damaging two adjacent graves.

“An appropriate repair has now been carried out following detailed assessment work.”

Welcoming the news, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock district parade marshal David Boswell said: “I’m very pleased the cemetery has been cleaned up and sorted out in time for the service of remembrance in August to mark the centenary of the First World War.”