Despite all the efforts made to reverse the Admiralty’s decision, including a petition sent to the Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Pembroke Dock closed on May 31st 1926. Some of the skilled workers were fortunate enough to be redeployed to other Dockyards, many others were left with no alternative but to leave the area, but for most there was no option but to join the dole queue. Businesses all over Pembrokeshire suffered through the loss of trade with the Dockyard and many went into liquidation, but Pembroke and Pembroke Dock were the worst hit. By September 1,400 men in Pembroke Dock were on the dole.

These gates were the main entrance to the Royal Dockyard.