Siege of Malta?

[liverpool annie]

If you happen to find some of the names of the men who were killed Cate ... you may find them in the cemeteries here !

http://website.lineone.net/~stephaniebidmead/second.htm

Annie

[vic1]

my grandfather was on Malta  during the siege and received the Maltese cross int he late eighties  from the Maltese people. he was in REME.i seem to remember the were quite a few   from reme stationed there due to its crucial role . my aunt has all the photos of him  in service as they were left to her son other wise I'd look and see if i could  compare the uniform . unfortunately there is dearth of material about  the siege. i i have only come across one book about it  and i can't remember the name of it.  You have started me  thinking i must get the photos scan them.  my grandfather refused to talk about the war to us although he did  chat to my  partner  about it  but not in detail.  I'm know he did have a hat like the one your grandfather has on.

[catylou]

Thanks for that - I'm hoping to get the bits sorted to apply for his service records from the MOD in the next week or two, and in the meantime I'm trying to read up on what happened in Malta during the time he was there.

I came across a book in Googlebooks the other day, but stupidly didn't bookmark it or take a note of the title, and now obviously I can't find it, but it seemed to have a fair bit of info about the siege - unfortunately only a small part of the text was actually included on the Google books page though.

[StephEv]

Hi All, Once upon a time I had the honour of knowing a certain Ernle Bradford who wrote the first Great Siege of Malta of 1565. He tried again with a follow up book not long before his death on the Second Siege, that of 1940-42, a good effort. But given the scope of Malta's role during the Second World War there is a good choice of books on the role of the island, from all the services that were in Malta. The De fence of the island was crucial in winning the campaign in North Africa through Churchills eyes. After the Pedestal Convoy of August 1942, Britain was on the road to success, culminating in the invasion of Sicily in 1943. One of Churchills famous speeches regarding the island was,"Malta! A tiny Rock of History and Romance." What history for an island of nineteen by nine. And to cap that most of the second siege is in a life time.! Cheers Stephen Evans

[StephEv]

Hi Again, The Illustrious Blitz on French Creek in Grand Harbour was on the 16th January 1941 and is well remembered by the people of Senglea. A day that should go down in Naval history as a truly heroic defence. 

[Tricia_2]

You may have seen these:

http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/?product_id=1424
http://www.maltavista.net/en/library/art/164.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/siege_malta_01.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Malta_(1940)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fortress-Malta-1940-1943-Military-Paperbacks/dp/0304366544
http://www.vrmalta.com/malta-tour/source/malta-grand-harbour-r.html

[kyt]

Just been looking up the Malta Command Orders of Battle and the following made up the garrison (excluding RE, RA, REME etc}:

Sept 1941

1 (Malta) Infantry Brigade:
3 The King's Own Malta Regiment
1 The Dorsetshire Regiment
1 The Hampshire Regiment
2 The Devonshire Regiment
8 The King's Own Royal Regiment

2 (Malta) Infantry Brigade:
1 The King's Own Malta Regiment
2 The King's Own Malta Regiment
2 The Royal Irish Fusiliers
4 The Buffs
8 The Manchester Regiment

3 (Malta) Infantry Brigade:
1 The Cheshire Regiment
2 The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment
11 The Lancashire Fusiliers

Sept 1942 (units the same but brigades reorganised):

1 (Malta) Infantry Brigade:
3 The King's Own Malta Regiment
1 The Dorsetshire Regiment
1 The Hampshire Regiment
2 The Devonshire Regiment

2 (Malta) Infantry Brigade:
1 The King's Own Malta Regiment
2 The King's Own Malta Regiment
2 The Royal Irish Fusiliers
8 The Manchester Regiment
   
3 (Malta) Infantry Brigade:
1 The Cheshire Regiment
10 The King's Own Malta Regiment
2 The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment
11 The Lancashire Fusiliers
   
4 (Malta) Infantry Brigade:
1 The Durham Light Infantry
4 The Buffs
8 The King's Own Royal Regiment

So unless he was RE, RA, etc he is likely to be one of the above units

K

[StephEv]

Hi Cate, For a fairly recent publication I would recommend is Fortress Malta, James Holland. It is also available as a talking book.

[Stephee]

Any luck on your research