Father’s role in Malta convoy

I have just read The Times’ excellent article on Operation Pedestal (August 15) and now see Malta in a different light. My husband and I have been coming to Malta every year since 1986 and we knew quite a lot about the island’s history.

I knew my late father was in the Royal Navy but that is all I knew until last week. I had contacted the Ministry of Defence and asked for his service records which I received last Saturday.

I discovered my dad was on the SS Dorset which was sunk but survivors were taken aboard HMS Bramham and arrived in Malta on August 15, 1942.

I can’t wait until our next visit in November and another trip to the War Museum which will mean more to me this time. I have been watching video footage of the Santa Marija convoy and it brings a lump to my throat as dad never mentioned anything about the navy, so you can imagine how I feel finding all this out on the convoy’s 70th anniversary.

When I think back I often wonder why I was drawn to Malta all those years ago and now I know, we love Malta and always will.