Dear editor, THERE is an excellent site for Milford Haven people called ‘I grew up in Milford Haven’ originated by Shirley Thomas, a Milford Haven born woman.

I only found it this year and have seen some wonderful local photos of old Milford Haven and get to chat to local people about places and history.

One such lady is Tina Onnis, who talks about Italian Prisoner Of War camps.

Tina said her dad Antonio Consolo, who is well known to Milford people, came from Sicily (sometime pronounced Scillia) and fought in Libya and Africa.

Tina said he was captured and taken to the UK where eventually he ended up in the Dale Italian Prisoner Of War Camp. Consequently he worked on a farm which was part of the estate of Lloyd Philips of Dale Castle and when the war ended, his family came to live here and his wife worked at the castle. His son Antonio worked in various jobs as a builder and was part of the local famous ice cream makers Rabiotti’s, who had a business in Stratford Road. There were many Italians who stayed on in Milford Haven after the war. Two years after the war Antonio and his family arrived in Pembrokeshire.

Antonio said his dad was at Dale but there was also a camp at Talbenny where he could have been.

Other Italian names who stayed on after the war include Sara, Gennora and Algieri to name a few. They are part of the history and heritage of Milford Haven and areas.

RICHARD S BARNES Milford Haven