Memories of World War Two Malta 1940 Part 1 Joining up Loreto John York recorded 1989 1990

To mark the 80th anniversary of the awarding of the George Cross to the people of Malta in 1942, I am compiling a series of excerpts from the oral history interview I recorded with my father, Loreto (1918-2009) in 1989 and 1990. His memories of the War are detailed and insightful and constitute a significant historical source. They are brought to life by his own voice.

In Part 1 - 'Joining up' - he talks about the outbreak of war over Malta in June 1940, the recrutiment process and tests, how he cheated in the eye test, the air raids he experienced in Malta (one took place when he was visiting his sister Nina in Melita Street, Sliema), his family and the reasons for volunteering for service. This segment concludes with reference to the "hell" he and other servicemen experienced on the 'Royal Sovereign' as it left Malta for Egypt - "We were attacked by submarines, and from the air and by the Italian Navy".

A future instalment will focus on the Royal Sovereign's decoy voyage from Malta to Egypt, as my father had detailed recollection of that event.

He believed that the Maltese certainly "proved themselves" in the anti-fascist struggle. As his son, I am proud of, and grateful to, my father for his active service in that war.

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Loreto Meilak was born in Sliema, Malta, on 14 December 1918. His parents and siblings were all from Ghajnsielem, Gozo, but Loreto, the eleventh child (four died as babies) was born after the family moved to Malta.

He worked in Sliema as an apprentice ladies hairdresser and volunteered with the Royal Air Force in Malta in 1940. He served in Malta, the Middle East, Africa, Palestine and France and was stationed in the UK after the War. He demobilized in 1953.

In London in 1947, he changed his name from Meilak to York and also married a Londoner, Olive (nee Turner) that year.

In 1954, Loreto and Olive migrated to Melbourne with their three year old son.

In the mid-1990s, he was presented with the Malta George Cross 50th Anniversary Commemorative Medal by Malta's High Commissioner in Australia.

Видео Memories of World War Two Malta 1940 Part 1 Joining up Loreto John York recorded 1989 1990 канала Barry York