Tal-Handaq Nostalgia

Memories of the Royal Naval School, Malta, 1947 - 1978.


Last additions - Naval & Military
Ark_with_Freshspring_or_spray_Wessex_and_Gannet_8-11-60_ebay_5025.jpg
Ark in GH270 viewsHMS Ark Royal with Fairey Gannet taking off and SS Freshpring or Freshspray alongside delivering water, November 1960.adminMay 04, 2019
HMS_London_1_apr_79_9025__The_President_of_Malta_Anton_Buttigieg_saluting_the_HMS_London_leaving_the_GH_1-4-79.jpg
The Parting Shot311 viewsFinal Farewell - the then President of Malta Anton Buttigieg giving the last goodbye as HMS London departs the Grand Harbour on 1st April 1979, the last British naval vessel to leave Malta on the ultimate withdrawal from Malta. She wears the flag of the last Commander of the British forces in Malta, Rear Admiral O N A Cecil CB.

The end of an era - nearly 180 years of the Royal Navy at Malta.
adminApr 01, 2019
BFBS_closes_1.jpg
Farewell to BFBS Malta, 40 years ago369 viewsFarewell to BFBS Malta, March 1979 - open the LINK HERE and click on the small black panel to listen.2 commentsadminApr 01, 2019
Bay_R_no_wm_A_Royal_Navy_hovercraft_glides_onto_the_beach_at_Mellieha_Bay_in_1970_Thanks_to_Miguel_Bonello_for_the_pic.jpg
On the beach247 viewsA Royal Navy hovercraft glides onto the sand at Mellieha Bay in 1970.

Photo : Miguel Bonello
adminMar 13, 2019
St_A_lifebelt_Lawrence_Marsh_FB_but_could_be_in_museum_now.jpg
Relic of St Angelo232 viewsNow on display in the re-opened Fort St Angelo with the ship's badge centre. Well worth a visit.
Although a 'Stone Frigate' HMS St Angelo was a commissioned ship, Flagship of Rear Admiral O N A Cecil, last Commander British Forces Malta (the two red circles in his flag denote rear admiral).
See Wiki
adminJan 27, 2019
raf_launch_holed_cominoQ_60s_FB_Carline_RobertsQ.jpg
Crab Air afloat - almost312 viewsRAF pinnace off Gozo taken when it ran into a rock and gouged a large hole in its side. Photo thanks to Caroline Roberts whose Dad was a passenger on it that day, circa 1962.adminJan 19, 2019
Fairey_Fireflies_fly_over_Ghar-id-Dud_during_the_Battle_of_Britain_flypast_in_September_1952_ToM_pic_negs_lost_in_fire.jpg
Fairey Fireflies over Ghar-id-Dud during the Battle of Britain flypast in September 1952308 viewsPhoto : Charles B Grech, former Times of Malta photographer. Paul Demajo Albanese Collection. (Negs lost in fire at the Times of Malta offices).adminJan 19, 2019
team_formation_of_an_Avro_Shackleton_MR_Mk_32C_XF705_27C27_of_203_Squadron_with_a_pair_of_English_Electric_Canberra_PR_Mk_9s_of_13_Squadron_pictured_off_the_coast_of_Malta_July_1969___Source_Aviation_Classic_s_Editor_.jpg
Canberras & Shackleton 1969308 viewsTeam formation of an Avro Shackleton MR Mk.3, XF705 ‘C’ of 203 Squadron with a pair of English Electric Canberra PR Mk.9s of 13 Squadron pictured off the coast of Malta in July 1969.

Photo : Aviation Classics Editor’s collection
adminJan 13, 2019
Canberras_picture_was_taken_in_1970_during_exercise_Lime_Jug2C_FB_not_attrib2C_others_have_same.jpg
Canberras 1970295 viewsEnglish Electric Canberras over Grand Harbour in 1970 during exercise Lime Jug.

Photo unattributed
adminJan 13, 2019
Trooper_R_Martin_heart_op_crop.jpg
Trooper R Martin d. 1918298 viewsWhat does Trooper Martin have to do with Malta's part in World War One? Malta, 'Nurse of the Mediterranean' cared for casualties from the Gallipoli and Salonika campaigns. Martin died like thousands of others - but only after surviving one of the world's first open heart surgeries AND being operated upon by one of the first woman surgeons. He has become famous 100 years later.

Read MORE

...and HERE

...and HERE

We will remember them.
1 commentsadminNov 10, 2018
Waterboats_wmtop_right.jpg
Painting by OldBat324 viewsFresh water - but can you spot the difference from the photo?

Copyright © Liz Mardel
3 commentsadminAug 10, 2018
Waterboats_photo_Liz_original.jpg
Freshspray (L) & Carbine (R) 1960 ©277 viewsSister ship Freshspring (also at Malta) is currently being restored. Google it.

Copyright © Liz Mardel (OldBat)
adminAug 10, 2018
Oops_Astra_cin_FB_Ern_Ferrante_7-18.jpg
Caption competition399 viewsOutside Astra cinema Luqa.

Answers on a postcard. No prizes, just the kudos.
1 commentsadminJul 14, 2018
Children_are_given_a_ride_around_St_Andrew_s_Barracks_during_events_to_celebrate_Airborne_Forces_Day_in_Malta_in_1969_Bay_Ret.jpg
Feeling chuffed392 views"Train" rides round St Andrew's, Airborne Forces Day 1969.

Lisa & Jane Williams, 1st & 2nd left at rear of truck.
adminJul 14, 2018
1960_PRINT_THE_DUKE_OF_EDINBURGH_BEING_CARRIED_BY_JACKSTAY_OFF_MALTA_walkerton_ebay.jpg
Not waving but drowning307 viewsHRH transfers between HMS Eastbourne and HMS Walkerton off Malta, April 1960.adminJul 14, 2018
whalers_Sultan_Crew_going_ashore_1889.jpg
Whaler (L) & gig (R)344 viewsHMS Sultan's crew jolly 1877

R Ellis photographer Malta

Wreck of the Sultan at Comino 1889

adminApr 23, 2018
Blue_Ranger_Phill_Rose.jpg
RFA Blue Ranger 1952314 viewsSmall Replenishment Tanker
Copyright © Phill Rose
adminApr 04, 2018
malta1.jpg
SGTS MESS CHRISTMAS PARTY. ROYAL SIGNALS553 viewsProbably taken at Sgts mess in Floriana. Anybody you recognise ?!1 commentstedhebdenOct 26, 2017
Mtarfa_water.jpg
Mtarfa water605 viewsThe photo shows my sister helping with a water delivery to our married families' quarters in St Patrick's.

Copyright © Bruce Williams
1 commentsadminJan 30, 2017
ToM_Vulcan_crash_Oct_15_1975.jpg
On This Day - Vulcan crash 14 Oct 1975711 viewsTimes of Malta headline.

Full story here (from 2010)
adminOct 15, 2016
Lt_Carroll.jpg
On This Day 648 viewsLt George Carroll - Hero of Mosta - died 23 May 2012

Lt Carroll (pictured left) is believed to have been responsible for tackling more unexploded bombs than any other Royal Engineers bomb disposal officer in World War II, across all theatres of war.

Remarkably, he was the only bomb disposal officer from the Army, Navy and Air Force active during the siege of Malta not to be decorated, though this did not bother him.

See TIMES OF MALTA

And UXB MALTA
adminMay 22, 2016
SWScan00015.jpg
Another mess 'do' - HMS Falcon, Hal Far 1950s566 viewsWith my parents Olive and Len Reed.

Sue Lewis
SC-UKApr 25, 2016
Susan_plaits2C_Birzebuggia_Xmas_party_c1952.jpg
Birzebuggia Xmas party c1952496 viewsMe in plaits. 'Waiters' in uniform.

Sue Lewis (nee Reed)
SC-UKApr 25, 2016
Susan_bridesmaid_wren_s_wedding_Kalafrana.jpg
Bridesmaid456 viewsAs bridesmaid at a family friend Wren's wedding Kalafrana 1950s.

Sue Lewis (nee Reed)
SC-UKApr 25, 2016
Len_c_19591.jpg
Leonard Reed399 viewsMy father Len Reed in the garden at St George, Pretty Bay c1951.

Sue Lewis
SC-UKApr 25, 2016
Copy_of_Len2C_poss_Hal_Far.jpg
Hal Far - HMS Falcon434 viewsMy father Leonard Reed second from right c1951.

Sue Lewis
SC-UKApr 25, 2016
Copy_of_Len__Olive_Reed_pals_Malta_1950-53.jpg
Mess Ball - Hal Far?457 viewsMy parents and pals.

Sue Lewis
SC-UKApr 25, 2016
Copy_28429_of_malta.jpg
Hal Far - HMS Falcon445 viewsMy father Len Reed was in the Royal Navy when he became in charge of a small unit of the Fleet Air Arm at Hal Far in 1950-53. I think he went up in planes fixing electrical faults connected with the radios and communications. (He didn't care much for that part !)

Sue Lewis
SC-UKApr 25, 2016
F18-PR.jpg
HMS Galatea - 1978 - 420 viewsA PR shot found by Russ Palmer when clearing out one of the ships offices prior to going in to refit.SC-UKApr 17, 2016
ark_1955.jpg
Ark Royal 1955572 viewsWhen new.PrefectJan 13, 2016
Antrim_1973.JPG
HMS Antrim 1973431 viewsPrefectNov 12, 2015
Devonshire_1963.JPG
HMS Devonshire 1963421 viewsPrefectNov 12, 2015
892 files on 28 page(s) 2