Vicky Rylance has been writing her life story for her children and grandchildren through events that stand out from her childhood memories. Vicky’s story of her early years during WWII gives a fascinating insight of what life in Malta was like then.
Over the next few months we are going to follow Vicky’s story and learn about a child’s wartime experiences.
10th June 1940
Soon after my fifth birthday, it seems that the rumblings of war became nearer to home. My family who for many generations had always lived in Senglea, one of the towns on the Grand Harbour, had moved to the inland village of Birkirkara. The Grand Harbour area was thought to be at greater risk from enemy air raids so my father found an old house in this village, which he considered safer, and we moved there in May 1940.
It was the custom in those days, especially during the warm summer nights, for Maltese people to sit outside their houses, talking to their neighbours, in the cool of the evening. I had a small rattan armchair, which was my very own, and I remember sitting near our doorstep after supper.
I remember being distinctly aware that something was disturbing my parents and the neighbours. They were huddled together in small groups talking very seriously and looking very worried. At the time, every household possessed a radio receiver, a sort of cable wireless, which was known as a ‘Rediffusion’ receiver. Since the night was warm and all doors and windows were open for air, I could hear a raucous voice shouting out in a different language from my own, coming out from every house in the street, and the residents were obviously listening to it with very concerned faces. Whatever this man was saying was worrying them, and the tension was so obvious, that even I, a five year old girl, could feel it.
It appears that this voice belonged to Benito Mussolini, known as Il Duce, who was the Fascist leader of Italy, and he was actually declaring war on Britain and loyalty to Hitler, the German Führer. It seems that Il Duce was advising the Maltese population to side with ‘their friend’ Italy, which had for some time, supported Hitler’s views and had now became one of his allies. Mussolini was urging the Maltese to make it easy for themselves and side with the Nazis and the Fascists against Britain. Malta at the time was under British jurisdiction.
From that moment, Malta which was completely unprepared for armed conflict was at war with Italy, a country a mere 60 miles to the north of our shores.
To be continued . . . . . . .
Written by Vicky Rylance, Hon. Secretary Mellieha Group
Vicky, this reads like the beginning of a wonderful yarn. Have you considered publishing it as a book?
Well done!
Astrid
Thanks for the kind comments. There is the possibility that Vicky’s story will be included in a book about war experiences in Malta. If this happens we will let our readers know the details.
I’ve been lokinog for a post like this forever (and a day)