The names of Anne Rossi, formerly Mallia, and Frances Kane, formerly McNerney, did not initially ring any bells for two elderly women who had not seen each other in over 70 years.

But when they were brought face to face, their eyes sparkled as they embraced tightly amidst delighted squeals, recognising each other as former plotters working to defend the country in Valletta’s Lascaris War Rooms during World War II.

In last Tuesday’s edition of Times of Malta, Ms Rossi, who will turn 93 next month, shared her memories of her time spent as a young woman in the 1940s carefully charting the enemy’s progress through the skies with great precision. The work of the plotters, who were all civilian women, was crucial in helping to direct Royal Air Force pilots to the best possible position to intercept the enemy.

When she recently saw the advert of the Staġun Teatru Malti play Faith, Hope u Charity, Ms Rossi picked up the phone and called veteran actress Karmen Azzopardi, who plays the lead character, to tell her that she remembered the real-life officers on whom the play is based.

In the wake of the interview, Ms Kane’s daughter contacted this newspaper, since her mother, who will turn 91 in September, also worked as a plotter. The Sunday Times of Malta arranged for the two to reunite after a 73-year separation. 

See video above. More in The Sunday Times of Malta.