28-07-2025
That Reminds Me: R.E. Porter's visit to Milford Docks
And being a Milfordian, most of these flashbacks are concentrated on my home town's history.
Today's offering is about people. Well-known names from Milford's wonderful old fishland days, and comes from an article originally written in The Fish Traders Gazette of October 1938 by R.E. Porter who'd visited the town and, under the heading of "MEN WHO MADE MILFORD HAVEN" wrote this about the docks and fishing fraternity. I found it an interesting insight into some of the people whose names I recognised, but never knew.
Here's how R.E. Porter described his visit: "What memories I carried away from Milford. You have to spend an evening in the Merchants' Club, or the Lord Nelson, or preferably both, and Milford, and its men, and its history, are unfolded to you bit by bit in the most clubbable, the most friendly atmosphere. And Mine Host of the Nelson, who looks like an all-in wrestler and talks like Stentor himself, can show you relics of Nelson days, hold
you spell bound with a song, and converse on almost anything.
"FIRST, 74 year old Thomas Jenkerson, non-smoker, teetotaller, is one of the most remarkable men who have helped to produce Milford.
The Sybil (Image: Jeff Dunn)
"Before you enter his office you are confronted with notices galore concerning all sorts of matters from the handling of carbide of of calcium, to the Milford Haven Fishing Industry Hospital Fund.
"And TJ's personality immediately impresses itself upon you and makes you feel as if you have none.
"When he recalls the yesteryears he unfolds a thrilling trade romance, but it is because of his modesty you have to get the facts about himself from someone else.
"It was 50 years ago (1888) that TJ came to the West. He came from Yarmouth with some smacks and his principles; his business acumen and his perseverance were to put him among the Milford leaders.
"Today he is chairman of the Ice Co., chairman of the Trawler Supply Stores, and chairman of the Milford Haven Engineering and Ship Repairing Co., as well as being chief of the firm that bears his name. TJ remembers the 'Sybil' steaming into the newly constructed docks in 1888, remembers fondly, too, the 7 smacks he owned before the war. Then he changed to steam and his fleet of 16 today is among the most modern afloat, every boat Marconi equipped with wireless, automatic depth finders, direction finders and so forth.
"TJ can let you have it straight from the shoulder when he feels that way, but ask his staff about him.
"They say he's the best boss going. And, is punctuality one of his strong points? I should say it is. He is in the office at 7:30am every morning and rarely leaves before 5 in the afternoon. When he used to live at a house named 'Marble Hall,' he was nicknamed locally as 'The Marble Hall Clock' because people could set their clocks by his regular departure.
"They still talk in Milford of the fortunes that have been won and lost there, especially the fortunes won and lost by the Belgian skippers in the Great War, when "bubbly" flowed like water at the Lord Nelson.
"Such times Horace Fiddy recalled, using the word 'paralytic' more than somewhat. Horace is a partner in the firm John Pettit. I openly doubted his word when he told me he was a grandfather, for he looked a mere 40.
"Across an outsize table in his office he told me about Milford pioneer John Pettit, who died four year's last May (1934) and deprived the port, and the fishing industry of a precious character. Yet John Pettit, one of the original
Barking Creek men, was self educated. He ran away from home to go to the into the fishing industry, and he left it the richer. Horace Fiddy (Fiddy is an East Coast name) talks little about himself, but I gathered he'd been in
Milford for 33 years. He started when he was 15. That gives his age away. But what a young grandfather, anyway.
"I had to tip-toe to shake hands with James C. Ward, 6' 3" general manager of the Milford Haven Docks Co.. notable son of a notable father, James represents the spirit of youth, the spirit of enterprise, and though I am bound not to give any secrets away, I can say that he is hot on the tracks of a scheme or two calculated benefit Milford Haven. In short, James is upholding the honoured traditions of the Dock Co. For hobbies he sails, hunts and takes affectionate interest in his two quite valuable Australian terriers which are worth more than I am!"
The days of the smacks (Image: Jeff Dunn)
I'll probably return to R.E. Porter's docks memories at a later date, and there were a few ads in the Fish Traders Gazette which enthralled me: "New Season's Hungarian Chickens. Packed 12 in a box.1-3lbs." For some
reason it reminded me of Manuel's "Siberian hamster" in Fawlty Towers!
Another ad which intrigued my warped mind was: "Reg. Cook, The Frier's Merchant, Skate and Dogs a speciality."
Here are two pics relating to Thomas Jenkerson's memories, the Sybil, the first trawler to enter the new docks, and one from the days of the smacks.
That's me done for this week. Here's a few words of wisdom from Helen Keller: "Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing."
Take care, please stay safe.
