A St Julian’s road named after the wartime governor of Malta made its way to Facebook notoriety today after Lieutenant General Sir William Dobbie was ‘mistaken’ for Dobby the house elf from the Harry Potter novels.

A photo of aTriq Dobbie street sign uploaded onto social media jokingly congratulated the St Julian’s local council for “recognising the huge sacrifice Dobby the elf made by dying and saving the world from the clutches of the Evil Lord Voldemorte”.

The post gained nearly 400 likes and dozens of comments. 

Dobby the elf.

In the J.K. Rowling series Dobby the elf was killed saving Harry Potter’s life.
General Dobbie on the other hand was the Governor of Malta between 1940 and 1941.

St Julian’s mayor Karl Gouder chuckled when asked about the street name, saying it had been that way since he was a young boy.

"I wonder how many people know he was the Governor of Malta," he said.

General Dobbie was replaced in 1942 after being recalled for poor leadership. On the day Italy declared war in 1940 he had issued a statement to the people of Malta and the Malta garrison which is widely regarded by historians to be among his most memorable pieces of writing. 

“The decision of His Majesty's government to fight until our enemies are defeated will be heard with the greatest satisfaction by all ranks of the Garrison of Malta.

"It may be that hard times lie ahead of us, but I know that however hard they may be, the courage and determination of all ranks will not falter, and that with God's help we will maintain the security of this fortress. I call on all officers and other ranks humbly to seek God's help, and then in reliance on Him to do their duty unflinchingly.”

The Malta garrison went on to defend Malta from several months of bombings, known today as the Siege of Malta, under General Dobbie's watch.