Fishguard customs man Bill remembered
A former Fishguard customs officer, who helped guard the Pembrokeshire coast for over 20 years, has been remembered in the town.
WPD ‘Bill' Manley came to Fishguard in 1939 and headed the customs service at the port until 1962.
Now a plaque has been put up in his memory on a bench at his favourite viewing spot along the town's Marine Walk.
The plaque was put up by Pembrokeshire County Council's maintenance team at the request of Mr Manley's son, Dr Gerald Manley.
"He loved Marine Walk and the north Pembrokeshire coastline. When he first came down to Fishguard from working in London's East End Docks he would write us ecstatic letters home about the place," said Dr Manley.
"He used to say that the view from Marine Walk overlooking the fort and Dinas Head was the best in the world and I think he was right."
Brian Maddocks, Pembrokeshire County Council's Head of Maintenance, said they were happy to help remember someone who had such a long and happy association with the town.
Born in 1897 Bill Manley spent half a century in the coastguard service starting as one of the first boy messengers. He served at many ports around the country and while working in London was known as ‘Manley of the Mobile.'
He came to head the service at Fishguard Harbour in 1939 but during the war he was seconded to a secret service mobile unit, which travelled around the country on counter espionage duties.
In 1945 he returned to Fishguard to settle with his young family and lived in a house on Sladeway.
He died in 1964 at 66 - just 18 months after he retired.
WPD ‘Bill' Manley came to Fishguard in 1939 and headed the customs service at the port until 1962.
Now a plaque has been put up in his memory on a bench at his favourite viewing spot along the town's Marine Walk.
The plaque was put up by Pembrokeshire County Council's maintenance team at the request of Mr Manley's son, Dr Gerald Manley.
"He loved Marine Walk and the north Pembrokeshire coastline. When he first came down to Fishguard from working in London's East End Docks he would write us ecstatic letters home about the place," said Dr Manley.
"He used to say that the view from Marine Walk overlooking the fort and Dinas Head was the best in the world and I think he was right."
Brian Maddocks, Pembrokeshire County Council's Head of Maintenance, said they were happy to help remember someone who had such a long and happy association with the town.
Born in 1897 Bill Manley spent half a century in the coastguard service starting as one of the first boy messengers. He served at many ports around the country and while working in London was known as ‘Manley of the Mobile.'
He came to head the service at Fishguard Harbour in 1939 but during the war he was seconded to a secret service mobile unit, which travelled around the country on counter espionage duties.
In 1945 he returned to Fishguard to settle with his young family and lived in a house on Sladeway.
He died in 1964 at 66 - just 18 months after he retired.
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