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When visiting Europe, we fly
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Above is RAF Siggiewi Malta, home of 840 Signals Unit until the Maltese gained independence from the UK in 1964. I am not sure what year it was built, but there are photo's on the internet taken in WW11 so I assume it was built sometime in the mid 1930's. During its active service it was an important link in the chain of radio stations stretching from the UK to the Far East with RAF Habbaniya being next on the "net". Like many of the military installations on Malta, the main complex was underground and there was also a satellite HF/DF station (type in concrete hut) a short walking distance on the road heading out toward Siggiewi. It was one of the many HF/DF stations ranged throughout the Middle-East. El-Adem, (Libya) and Abu Sueir, (Egypt) were part of the original chain. I am not sure when or who took this photo, but I believe it was taken in the late 1950's from a helicopter. This shows the camp pretty much as it is today, other than the
7 Quonset/Nissen huts on the right of this picture and the guard room have been removed, so have the
two at the end of the Barrack block. This location is now used by the Maltese
police and for several reasons, casual visitors are not invited. |
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Located on the island of Malta, roughly midway between the villages of
Mqabba and Siggiewi, is a little known ex RAF Signals unit. 840 SU operated
for many years from this location, right up to the time when the UK forces left Malta. For all of those staff who served at 840 SU, RAF
Siggiewi throughout the many years and wondered whether it was still there,
here are some photo's taken November 2006. From what I could see, very
little had changed. The first thing you notice is the old guard room (Nissen
hut) has been removed, but curiously the stone surround of the doorway is
still there, complete with the original Kings Crown RAF cap badge.
Some of the photographs on this page were taken in the 1950's and others as recently as 2006, all of them are the sole property of the owner of the website. They are displayed for the enjoyment of all visitors and we hope you enjoy looking through them.
David
sheba@execulink.com
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What remains of the main gate |
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While being posted to a small signals station meant there were a lot of privileges, such as very few parades, one of the only drawbacks was its location. There was no shuttle bus or truck to bring you back from a booze up in Valletta, the only way back was by local bus to the village of Mqabba and from there a fairly good walk back to the
guard room. The old corrugated steel hut (on the left) has long gone and all that is left in its place is the stone
fascia and the RAF crest (note Kings crown) I am sure the guys who spent
hours on "Jankers" polishing the floor are laughing about that now. |
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This is the orderly room, much
the same way it was years ago, other than the colourful Bougainvillea
trailing along the front of the building. Note one of the antennae in the background. |
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This "ditch" is immediately to the left of the maingate (opposite the guardroom). It actually runs along the back of the orderly room, see the top photo to see it's location. I think this was used as a range. |
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It looked as though a few of the antennae had been removed over the years, but a couple still exist on site.
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This is an example of where the
camp looks much the way it did in the 1950's, that is apart from the large
plants and tree's.
The flagstaff in the centre appeared to be original and from that same period. |
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The author inside the
camp with one of the original barrack blocks behind him. At the
far end were two Quonset/Nissen huts that were used as transit quarters
at one time, these have been removed, so have the workshops and camp
movie theatre that are out of camera shot on the right.
Below are a few old
photo's from the time, I hope you find them interesting. |
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The photo on the left was
taken from the top of the old main gateway into the city, looking down what
was in those days the Kingsway, now Republic Street. This scene was normal
for a summers evening, with people from all over the island descending upon
Valletta to shop or just stand in small groups and talk to old friends,
while others just window shopped. This part of the entrance has changed
drastically, with a large piazza now the first thing you see as you enter
through the gates. I won't go into the gate itself, enough to say that it is
a very poorly designed and does not present this wonderful city in the best
light. |
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Merchant Street Valletta and
its series of covered balconies where those inside can peer out at the
pedestrians below. A classic Maltese scene. |
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This was taken just as
you enter Sliema from Msida. I didn't get a chance to go back and check this
out the last time I was there, but I am sure I could see the location from
the bus running between Valletta and Sliema. |
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I don't believe any of these
buildings still stand along the sea front in Sliema, so it is a nice
historical record of how it was. Now the "Strand" is full of hotels, guest
houses etc as the island has become very commercialized, but I have to
confess the Maltese have done it very well. |
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The clock in Upper Baracca
gardens, Valletta. The gardens date back to the 1661 when they were part of
an Italian Knights estate and grounds. |
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The building in the foreground
with pennants and flags flying was the HQ for the Royal Navy Command Centre
Mediterranean Fleet. The arched building at the top right is Upper Baracca gardens |
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Hagar Qim is one of the oldest
man made structures on the face of earth, with a history going back 5,000
years. Made from local limestone it has suffered quite badly from millennia
of severe weather conditions and the elements. This is one of many temples
on Malta and Gozo. One of the most interesting places has to be the area
known as "Clapham Junction" where there are tracks cut into the ground,
resembling railway lines. No-one is really sure how these came about and
theories abound. Well worth a trip. |
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During the mid 1950's Malta was once again turned into a massive military base. Here is a Valiant
bomber of the RAF being loaded with armament to be dropped on Egyptian bases (November 5th 1956)
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Please visit our sponsor Sheba Imports at
For
badges, patches, heraldic and Scottish
Clan rings. Please visit sheba-imports.com
Click here to go to
MALTA 2006 HOLIDAY PAGES |
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