Introduction

Discussion in 'User Introductions' started by J Andrew Campbell, Sep 9, 2019.

  1. Good evening,
    I'm J Andrew Campbell. I gather you already have another member with a very similar name (hence the extra J) so I hope there won't be confusion. My particular interest is the siege of Malta and Operation Pedestal in particular. Thank you for letting me join. Best wishes to all. Andrew.
     
    canuck likes this.
  2. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    A welcome from Arnhem
     
  3. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Last edited: Sep 10, 2019
  4. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Welcome to the forum
     
  5. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Welcome aboard.
     
  6. According to the only biography of Mabel Strickland she was convinced by some possibly off hand remark Dobbie made quite early on in his Governorship that he was willing to surrender. He made a remark about painting a white cross on Hal Far. But to be fair Monckton seems to have agreed that he was a spent force by April '42 and convinced Churchill that was the case when he got home from visiting Malta to find out. Gort was given overall command of everything so had full powers to order the Army help out building blastpens etc. for the RAF aircraft, which Dobbie never had.
    The Maltese admired Dobbie as I understand it, but Gort was genuinely popular and liked. But then the George Cross Islanders appreciated that Gort was awarded the V.C. in September 1918. The Maltese Band Clubs gave him a Sword of Honour in IIRC 1943.
     
  7. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    Welcome Andrew.
     
  8. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Interesting.

    Could you post the title of Strickland's biography, please?
     
  9. Thank you
    ”Mabel Strickland” by Joan Alexander, who was actually Lady Carnwath. Published in Malta in 1996 ISBN 99909-3-046-5. My second-hand copy cost me a small fortune on Abebooks. Much of it is of course about her post-war career as a Maltese politician. Very interesting on her conspiracy to get Sir William dismissed as Governor.

    Thank you for pointing me in the direction of Sir William's tract.
     
    Charley Fortnum likes this.
  10. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Ah, yes, I remember that now. It's on my long list of books to purchase once a copy surfaces at a sensible price.

    I think there's also a memoir by his wife (or was it hias daughter?). The title might have been Grace Under Fire, but I can't clearly recall.

    I'm not sure whether there will be anything of interest, but there's a list of biographies here and I'm happy to supply information from or details about them in the event that it will help.

    Here:
    The General Perspective
     
  11. It was “Grace under Fire”. Both his wife and daughter were called Sybil. No copies available second hand so far as I can see on line.
     

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