For over 35 years now I have come to regard Malta as my second home, visiting it at least once a year. A few days ago, on BBC2 I watched a new documentary called The Battle for Malta, which depicted the island’s struggle to stay out of German hands during World War II.

It highlighted the failures of the unloading of supplies and the lack of parts for fighter aircraft, and the inexperience of the Air Marshal in charge to initially create a fighter force, but the one thing that stuck out for me was the stoic character of the Maltese, which is what endears me to them.

Unless they read or watch programmes like this the young of Malta will never understand what their ancestors went through during the early years of the war.

Malta suffered more bombing raids than London, and starvation was rife along with scarcity of everything else.

When Churchill finally realised how important the island was, more fighter aircraft started to arrive, including Spitfires. This took the fight to the Axis powers and the island had a little bit of a break due to altered tactics by Hitler.

What a sight that must have been on August 15, 1942 as the tanker Ohio limped into Grand Harbour with fuel and vital supplies alongside tugs and a destroyer. I think the whole island must have been on the bastions that day.

It fills me with pride and emotion to recall what you Maltese went through, and I am in awe of people like Mabel Strickland, editor and owner of the Times of Malta, who kept the paper going, never missing a day; this gave hope and belief to you all.

For such a tiny island the faith, humour and pride among many other virtues is a joy to behold; it’s no wonder I feel so much affinity with Malta.