Captain Walter Murray Pengelley - (1824 - 1897)

Walter Murray Pengelley was a native of Devon and son of Henry Pengelley RN. An article in the newsletter for the Friends of Cathays Cemetery aptly named "Not So Grave News" from June 2011 written by John Farnhill [258] recounts the life of Mr Pengelley and how he took part in the China Expedition, that being the First Opium War and also served in the Crimean War. The informative article goes on to state: "In about 1862, following his retirement from active service, Walter and (wife) Arabella settled permanently in Cardiff in Penarth, and had a further ten children (they had five already). For more than 10 years Walter was Deputy Dock Master at the West Bute Dock, before becoming Dock Master at Penarth, a position he held to the day of his death. The family lived at 'The Ferns' in Penarth, overlooking the docks and Cardiff Bay, probably one of the best addresses in the town, and played an active role in the social life of Penarth and Cardiff. He helped set up the Seaman's Mission in Penarth, was a founder member of the Penarth Conservative Association, and a warden at St. Augustine's Church. He is often listed in the Western Mail as having attended some big banquet or other, or someone's wedding, or funeral. He died on 29th December 1897 and is buried at St. Augustine's." [258]

In many of the newspaper articles relating to ship fires, coal gas explosions, drownings and other incidents at the Penarth Dock, Mr Pengelley is frequently quoted as the person who instigates and supervises the remedial action. He served as dockmaster for 24 years, from 1873 until his death in 1897. The press recounted his passing.

1897 - Penarth Dockmaster Dead - Captain Pengelley Succumbs to a Severe Cold - "We regret to have to announce the death of Captain Walter Pengelley, who for many years occupied the position of dockmaster at Penarth. During the past-week he was confined to his house, The Ferns, Penarth, with a cold, and on Tuesday was taken much worse, paralysis of the throat, followed by an effusion of blood on the brain, setting in. From then to the time of his death, which took place on Wednesday morning, the unfortunate gentleman remained quite unconscious. Captain Pengelley, who was in his seventy-forth year, served in her Majesty's late Indian Navy. During his residence at Penarth he formed a large circle of acquaintances, and was highly respected by all in his private and official capacity." Evening Press [157] 29th December 1897.

1899 - The Late Captain Pengelley - Memorial Brass Unveiled at St. Augustine's, Penarth - "In connection with the unveiling of the memorial tablet to the late Captain Walter Murray Pengelley, R.I.N., a special service was held in St. Augustine's Church, Penarth, on Saturday evening. Among those present were Mr and Mrs Beasley, Mr S. Thomas, Captain and Mrs Langlois, Captain and Mrs Kemp, Mr and Mrs Illingworth, Mr Strange, Rev. C. W. H. Browne, Mr J. M. Jennings, Mr Walter Morgan, Mr W. Cope, Mr J. Davies, Mr R. Monroe, Mr Lough, &c.

The tablet has been placed on the south wall of the church, in a line with the pew occupied by the family of the deceased for so many years, and is the first erected in the church. It consists of a massive brass plate, about a quarter of an inch thick and 2ft. 6 in. each way, with a rectangular marble slab nearly 3ft. square. The plate, with its cross and anchor in the upper and lower fail and surrounded with a rope border, is particularly appropriate. . . | >> next page >> |