Dennis H. Lloyd  - A tribute by Mike Bradney, Past Secretary, Chairman and Life Member of Pembroke Dock Harlequins RFC

I was asked to prepare a tribute to our late President Dennis Lloyd whose sad passing on Thursday of last week after a short illness will leave a huge void both within his beloved family and certainly within the Pembroke Dock Quins organisation and indeed Pembroke Dock as a community.

I first met Dennis when I came to Pembroke Dock in 1969 and to the Quins in 1971. I think it fair to say that most people who knew him will say that he never changed in his dealings with people throughout all those years; certainly that is how I felt about him in all the years that have passed. He was a lovely gentleman; always ready to help, advise and guide people in the right way of life. 
                                                                                                                                     
Dennis was brought up in Tremeyrick Street, in Pembroke Dock with his brother Raymond and his sister Gwynneth, both of whom predeceased him. He met and married the love of his life, Vicky Fogwill, a Pembroke girl, and they celebrated sixty-two years of marriage together last December. They had two children, Sara and Simon, who gave them five grand-children and one great grandchild.  Dennis was extremely proud of his family and that pride and endearment was evident to all when he spoke of them.          
                                                                                      
He was an avid rugby fan, indeed all sports were important to him and there are very many youngsters, from and in our community, who were guided by his enthusiasm and sound advice, who have enjoyed sporting achievement and participation at all various levels during their lives, all thanks to the manner in which Dennis treated them.      
                                                                                                       
Dennis first played for Pembroke Dock Quins in 1946 when he was eighteen. His playing prowess was soon recognised and he became a firm fixture in the team as fullback; indeed it is reported that he dropped a goal from inside his own half in a match against Neyland.    
                                                                                   
When Dennis left school he was accepted into Loughborough College, a very prestigious teacher-training college with emphasis on sport and indeed rugby in particular. He was called up for National Service and entered as a Sergeant into the army education system. He remained as part of the Quins’ team when- ever he was available.
                                                                                                                         
He started his teaching career in Rosemarket in 1952 and moved to Pembroke Grammar School / Bush School in 1954, as a PE/games teacher, eventually achieving the position as head of sport.                                                                                                
His passion for playing rugby and indeed, as he grew older, for coaching our game, was a well-known fact.  He continued his rugby career with the Quins and became Captain of the Club in the 1954/55 and 1955/56 seasons, and had the honour of leading the club to their only Cup and league double achieved in our history. 
                                                                                                                               
He remained very active within the club after his playing retirement and was always in attendance for matches on a Saturday. In the late fifties the players and members built the existing clubhouse and stand and he and his brother and cousins were very involved with this project, together with other well known past stalwarts of the Club.         
                                           
He soon returned to the field as club coach, a position he held twice. He was the coach of the Quins when they played Llanelly in the Welsh Cup  at Bierspool and were beaten very heavily  but Llanelly had put a similar score the week before against the London Harlequins.    
                                                   
Dennis remained a full member and ardent fan and a member of the club committee and also a trustee of the Club. In 1989 he took on the reins of Club secretary following on from myself, a position he held for some years, and then relinquished that post to take on the Treasurer’s duties.

In 2005 he became President of the club and remained in that role until his passing. He remained very involved in the off-field activities being a leading light in arranging the Quin’s annual carnival ,certainly over the last ten or more years, as well as having pertinent input into the rugby side of things. He would never miss the Youth, Juniors and Mini’s matches and always attended their presentation nights.

His input into all things at Pembroke Dock Quins was always revered and respected and he will be sorely missed for his friendship, judgement and advice in the future. I know I speak for all of our committee and members when I say:

 “What a privilege it was to have been his friend and to have known him”.  
                     
He was truly a ‘QUIN’s’  man.

Rest in peace O faithful servant.

 

‘Mr Lloyd’ was my hero as a teacher by Bill Carne

It is fair to say that Mr Dennis Lloyd, or ‘Sir’ as I unfailingly called him for the past 58 years, was my hero as a teacher at the old Pembroke Grammar School in 1963, and ever since, whenever I was lucky enough to bump into a man for whom everyone who met him described him as a ‘perfect gentleman’ or a ‘wise counsellor’.

I came to the school after over four years at Pontypridd Boys Grammar School, which was run like a Borstal in terms of unflinching discipline, and encountered this caring games teacher who actually called me by first name, and had time to coach me on a one-to-one basis after converting me from flanker to full back.

I joined Phil Carradice, Bruce Penfold, Michael Johnston and Kenneth Devonald as the only fifth formers alongside the likes of Guy Thomas (Captain), Martin Rickard, Peter Roberts and John Mathias – and Mr Lloyd was always supportive as we played with and against much older pupils who included Barry John (Gwendraeth Valley) and Terry Price (Llanelli).

When I last saw him I had the usual ‘How are you boy?’ and a chat about how much he enjoyed reading the stuff I had written, especially if it was relating to his beloved Quins!

He never changed in all the time that I was lucky to know him and he was rightly held in huge esteem, not only at Bierspool but around the rugby clubs of the county.

He held strong views and was steadfast in upholding his own high standards and I can safely say that I have never met anyone else quite like him.

Mr Lloyd was also my wife Marilyn’s form tutor and she shares my view of what a lovely, charming gentleman he was – and our hearts go out to his wife Vicky, children Sara and Simon, plus his grandchildren.

We are both immensely sad at his passing but know he had a very full and fulfilling life – and can only say,
“Dear Mr Lloyd, Sir; rest in peace because you deserve it!"