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PLEASE VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE
http://www.raf-siggiewi-malta.com
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is RAF Siggiewi Malta, home of 840 Signals Unit until Malta gained independence
from the UK in 1964. 840 SU Communications Unit was originally located
at Siggiewi and Benghajsa and was built 1st May 1919 when the first shore-based
radio communication with UK from Malta was set up at Rinella. Contrary
to some viewpoints I am not aware of any runway ever being attached to
Siggiewi, and I don't recall any evidence to support that, however it
is my understanding that it has always been a signals centre and during
its active service 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 (concrete hut) within walking distance of the camp, located 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 from a helicopter and assume sometime in the
late 1950's early 60's. This shows the camp pretty much as it is today,
with the tennis courts behind the main barrack block and the single floor
building had the NAAFI and men's mess, with rec; facilities. The 7 Quonset/Nissan
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 (Nissan
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 our visitors and we hope you enjoy
looking through them. If you were stationed at Siggiewi and have any photographs,
please drop me an email, and I will display them here for others to see.
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 original main antennae in the background. |
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This "ditch"
is immediately to the left of the maingate (opposite the guardroom). It
actually runs behind 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 pretty much
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/Nissan 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 Sliemma 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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Sliemma
has had a total remake over the years and I really I don't believe any
of these buildings still exist along the sea front, so it's a nice historical
record of how it used to be. For those of you who haven't been back, the
"Strand" is full of hotels, guest houses, bars and restaurants
etc as the island has become very commercialized, but I have to confess
the Maltese have done it very well and it is still a great place to relax. |
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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 series of arches along the
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.
It is worth noting at
this point that the bus service in Malta takes you anywhere for a few
euro's and renting a car while it is convenient in some cases, can be
a major hazard in finding parking spaces in any of the towns, so my
advice, take the bus it is cheaper and easier.
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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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