This book is dedicated to all of the men, women and children who gave their lives in Malta or in its support during its Greater Siege. Especially remembered are the 2,310 Commonwealth airmen who were lost, flying from bases in the Mediterranean theatre during the Second World War, and who have no known grave. They are commemorated on the Malta Memorial in Floriana.
PROPOSITI INSULA TENAX TENACES VIROS COMMEMORAT
An island resolute of purpose remembers resolute men.
Also remembered is Jack Vowles (28 June 192115 January 2015)
First published in Great Britain in 2015 by
Pen & Sword Aviation
an imprint of
Pen & Sword Books Ltd
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Copyright Paul McDonald 2015
ISBN: 978 1 47386 008 7
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Acknowledgements
T he first to write about Adrian Warburton was the journalist Roy Nash, in the 1950s. Tony Spooner then went on to produce Warburtons War some thirty years later. But for Tonys efforts, Adrian Warburton would probably have been long forgotten. I fully acknowledge the value of Roy and Tonys work.
I am especially grateful to my good friends in Malta, Frederick and Valerie Galea. Frederick is a well-known Second World War historian and writer, and he very kindly gave me permission to quote from his books. He also made many photographs available. As Honorary Secretary of the National War Museum Association of Malta and a founder member of the Malta Aviation Museum, Frederick has done a great deal to ensure stories of Maltas war made it into print. His books and other collaborative projects, together with the work of his colleagues in Malta, make a valuable contribution to Maltese and British history. Both Frederick and Valerie are also important characters in their own right in this story.
Thanks are also due to Michael Longyear for permission to quote from his childhood reminiscences of growing up on an island at war. Peter Elliot, Head of Archives at the RAF Museum, has also been of great help in allowing me access to unpublished material, photographs and scrapbooks. Some documents quoted in this work are contained within official British Government records held at the National Archives in Kew. These are Crown Copyright and their use is in accordance with the Open Government Licence.
Three airmen of the period offered first-hand recollections: an Englishman, a Canadian and an American. I met Jack Vowles in 2013. He was 92-years-old and living in a nursing home in Gloucestershire. I spent hours with Jack. His memories of wartime Malta and of Adrian Warburton were vivid and I very much looked forward to our discussions, and to going through his notes and sketch-maps, painstakingly prepared despite failing eyesight. Jack and I became firm friends. He was one of a number who paid tribute to Adrian at Durnbach in 2003 and at the Berinsfield Memorial dedication in 2004. I am most grateful to Lynda Studdert-Kennedy, Jacks eldest daughter, and to Nigel her husband, for spending so much time with me going through Jacks photographs and allowing me to use them.
Lieutenant General (Retd) William Keir Bill Carr, CMM, DFC, OStJ, CD, RCAF was also ninety-two when we came into contact. His memory of Adrian and his views on leadership, and Warburton himself, are hugely important even today and I am grateful for his permission to quote from his written work. My son Matthew, in Los Angeles, put me in touch with Scott Blyth, son of Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) John Blyth USAF, the pilot of Spitfire 944, portrayed in the acclaimed American short film of the same name. Through Scott I learnt of Johns friendship with Adrian during the weeks he spent at Mount Farm before his final flight.
Two Maltese ladies who knew Christina personally have also been most helpful. As a child Miriam Farrugia was befriended by Christina, whose summer house in Bugibba was next door. Thank you Miriam for your moving words about the vibrant and vivacious lady you remember so well. Ingrid Scerri very kindly allowed me access to the roof of her Floriana apartment to see for myself the views Christina described so well in 1940. Thank you Ingrid and also for your memories of the English lady who lived around the corner when you were growing up.
Thanks also to Keith Bastard for making his late fathers logbook extracts and photographs available. I am also grateful to Peter Woods for allowing me to look at his late fathers logbook, and the photographs and scrapbook so carefully maintained by his late mother.
To Eman Bonnici, archivist at Santa Maria Addolorata cemetery, a special thank you; our meeting was accidental, but proved invaluable. Thank you for responding to my many questions and for your contacts. Sincere thanks also to Major Joseph Borg of the Malta Police Force and to the journalist Fiona Vella.
Many who attended Adrians funeral in 2003 have been extremely helpful: Tim Callaway, Editor of Aviation Classics, Heidi Burton, ne Cox, was the RAF photographer, Glyn Strong from the Veterans Agency, and Sue Raftree from the Joint Compassionate and Casualty Centre at Innsworth. Sue very kindly forwarded my requests for information to Adrians nephew, Charles Gethen, and to Shelia Hunt, daughter of Betty Westcott, ne Warburton. Thanks also to Martin Ratcliffe, Christinas nephew, for sharing his memories of his aunt. I am also grateful to Alan Bovingdon Cox, President of the Ridgeway Military and Aviation Research Group, for sharing photographs and information, and for the time he spent with me at what was RAF Mount Farm. Thanks also to Dr Chris Joy, archivist at Manchester High School for Girls, for making available extracts from school records and magazines.
