Apr

                                         

                                            GibraltarMonthly

April:

1 Apr1813 - El Chronista de Gibraltar, the first local paper to be published in the Spanish language. It was a reaction to the lack of interest shown in the Gibraltar Chronicle by local people. The Chronicle published in English and French, side by side, and it was thought a Spanish speaking paper would appeal to the populace… but hardly anyone bought it and it closed after a few years.

 1 Apr 1889 - Joseph Xerri having been sentenced to death (13^th March) was hanged at the Civil Prison for the wilful murder of Amabile Spiteri, the previous Christmas Eve.

 1 Apr 1901 - Greenwich Mean Time was adopted in Gibraltar from this day.

 1 Apr 1918 - The Royal Air Force was formed, replacing its predecessor the Royal Flying Corps (RFC).

 1 Apr 1929 – The Golden Jubilee of Reverend Brother P.C.I. Murphy, of Line Wall College, 40 years of which were spent in educating Gibraltar’s youth.

 1 Apr 1931 - The aircraft carrier Glorious whilst exercising 60 miles east of the Rock ran into thick fog. She was unable to manoeuvre, as she had an aircraft to recover, when she collided with the French liner Florida, resulting in loss of life.  On the 3^rd she returned to Gibraltar with her bows badly damaged; a temporary wooden bow and cofferdam were fitted to allow her to reach Malta for repair. She was eventually sunk by Scharnhorst and Gneisenau off the Norwegian coast on Sat 8^th June 1940, neither German ship searched for survivors.

 1 Apr 1953 - Income Tax introduced.

 1 Apr 1963 – In a short but historic ceremony, in the presence of HE the Governor and the Second Sea Lord, the Military Hospital (at Europa Pass) passed from the control of the Royal Army Medical Corps to the Royal Navy, after 60 years. The alert was sounded whilst the RAMC flag was lowered and the Union Jack was raised.  ‘By its appearance the RAMC flag could almost be the one hoisted 60 years ago; the new one provided for the ceremony having mysteriously disappeared after the rehearsal through the activities of souvenir hunters,’ wrote a Chronicle reporter. There was no comment about the appropriateness – or otherwise – of the date.

 1 Apr 1963 – The Chronicle printed an Official Notice: A suggestion has been made that Witham’s Cemetery should be changed into a playground for the Sacred Heart Secondary Modern School for Boys, by covering the site to a depth of several feet with soil, thus leaving the graves undisturbed... The cemetery contains 227 graves of people buried before 1878… Government wishes to consult all interests in considering this suggestion… (Do we believe this… or was it an April fool?)

 1 Apr 1975 - PAYE introduced.

 1 Apr 2002 – A 41 gun salute was fired at 12 noon today to acknowledge the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who died on 30^th March. The minute guns were fired simultaneously at 12 locations around the UK including Hyde Park, The Tower of London, Edinburgh and Hillsborough Castles. The salute in Gibraltar was the first to be discharged, because of the time difference with the UK.

 1^st Apr 2002 – Easter Monday. The remaining sections of the radio mast, for the old 1148 Khz transmitter, at Wellington Front, were removed today. It was from here that GBC began regular broadcasts in 1958.

 1^st Apr 2002 – Celebrated Norwegian flautist Lars Absjornsen held a workshop for the Gibraltar Youth Orchestra at 19 Scud Hill today. Lars played with the Ulm Philharmonic and the Dutch Philharmonic before concentrating on a solo career. He now teaches at Wiesbaden Academy of Music.  

 1^st Apr 2005 – Yesterday the MoD issued a booklet entitled Infrastructure Support Provider (ISP) to all civilian staff. The booklet provides information on the MoDs intended contractorisation plans, describing how companies who express an interest will then be scrutinised and, if they comply with the requirements, invited to tender. The plan expects the new ISP contract to be let in December 2005, when the current WSM contract expires.

 1^st Apr 2017 – RGP & Customs Officers recovered 108Kg of cocaine, with a reputed street value of £6.5M, from a parasitic torpedo attached to the bilge keel of Liberian flagged MV Mount Faber, at anchor in the bay. The ship had sailed from Columbia. The Captain, Chief Engineer and a crew member have been arrested. 

 2 Apr 1814 - The death occurred of H.E. Lt-Gen. Colin Campbell, Governor of Gibraltar. His remains were laid to rest in the Kings Chapel. He had fought in North America, distinguished himself in the West Indies and had ruled Limerick, fighting in the 1798 rebellion and against the French; Vinegar Hill and Ballynahinch. Through the Peninsular War he insisted on keeping Gibraltar well garrisoned and considered Tarifa as part of his command. Throughout Marshal Soult’s occupation of Andalusia he denied the French a port by providing troops at Tarifa and denied them advantage by destroying San Felipe & Santa Barbara forts in La Linea.

 2 Apr 1856 – The news was received that the Crimean War had ended. Royal salutes were fired at noon and the Upper Signal Station and ships in the bay were festooned with flags.

 2 Apr 1881 - Census of population taken; results published in August.

 2 Apr 1911 -  A census revealed that the population was 25,367.

 2 Apr 1933 – Religious services were celebrated to commemorate the 25^th anniversary of the foundation of the Boy Scouts.

 2^nd April 1934 – Arrival of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell with 680 scouts and guiders on board the SS Adriatic. Lord Baden-Powell was unable to land owing to illness. Lady Baden-Powell came ashore and attended the combined rally at which there were 1,150 scouts and guides present, from Gibraltar, Tangier and Spain. H.E. the Governor, Gen. Sir C.H. Harington, who was accompanied by Lady Baden-Powell, addressed the parade.

 2 Apr 1982 – Argentinean forces took possession of Stanley during the invasion of the Falkland Islands.

 2 Apr 2006 – An elderly man died when fire gutted his home in Melbourne Court, Harbour Views, this evening. Thick columns of black smoke billowed out of the flat but by 8.15, about one hour after it started, the fire had been extinguished.

 3 Apr 1904 – Today saw the first race meeting of Andalusian Racing Club at Campamento.

 3 Apr 1920 – Government Notice No. 55 notified that the Governor had approved that portion of Line Wall Road lying between Orange Bastion and the entrance to the Ordnance Sores, Prince Albert’s Front, being open to the public daily from 8am until first evening gunfire.

 3 Apr 1968 – The Band of the Royal Marines beat Retreat at the Naval Ground.

 3 Apr 1972 – From today, Family Allowances are to go up by 20p. The allowance, made for second and subsequent children, was introduced in 1959 at 20p, raised to 30p in 1970 and will now be 50p.

 3 Apr 1998 - Maggie Thatcher arrived as a guest of H.E. Richard Luce and was given a Rock Tour, by Clive Finlayson, Joe Viales and Andrew Bonfante.

 4 Apr 1840 –The arrival of Prince Eugene of Savoy Carignano.

 4 Apr 1949 - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was formed by eleven signatory countries.

 4 Apr 1894 - Dr Migueres died.

 4 Apr 1900 – A fatal accident occurred in the Bay. A Health Guard, Diego Chincotta, had been on duty alongside the P&O steamer Borneo. On his return to shore about midnight, aboard the steam launch Gaditano, he fell overboard and a search for him proved fruitless. At 6.30am next morning his body was seen floating near the Orange Grove.

 4 Apr 1927 – H.E. Sir Charles Monro opened telephonic communications with Spain, by placing a trunk call from City Hall.

 4 Apr 1928 – Today saw the Court Martial of Captain Kenneth Dewar of the battleship HMS Royal Oak. Dewar was at the heart of what was known as the Royal Oak Mutiny, because he forwarded his Executive Officer’s letter of complaint about their immediate superior Rear Admiral Collard, to higher authority. All three men were ordered back to UK where Dewar and his Exec requested Courts Martial so that they might defend themselves. The trials were held in Gibraltar amongst widespread media coverage. Sammy Collard was compelled to resign for having provoked the situation. The Exec was found guilty and resigned and Dewar escaped with a severe reprimand. His memoirs, The Navy from Within, published in 1939 were a vitriolic indictment of the Navy’s practices. It is said that at the trial a lawyer asked Collard; 'Is it true Sir, that you called the Bandmaster a bugger?' Collard replied 'Yes it is, and what I want to know is who called the bugger a Bandmaster.'  Collard already had one previous mutiny under his belt.

 4 Apr 1933 – Field Marshall and Viscountess Allenby, on passage to Palestine, landed from the SS Naldera and paid a visit to H.E. the Governor.

 4 Apr 1935 – A combined naval and military exercise was held; the Rock being attacked by destroyers of the Mediterranean Fleet.

 4 Apr 1987 – The Spanish opposition party Isquierda Unida stated: "We support any Anglo-Spanish agreement which recognises the right of Gibraltarians to self-determination; a basic human right. How can Spain recognise self-determination for a former colony, the Sahara, and negate it for Gibraltar?"

 4 Apr 2005 – The Greenpeace vessel Arctic Sunrise was in the bay today accompanied by several RIBs brandishing the banner: Stop single-hulls. Half the petroleum vessels at sea (1700 0f 3500) are single hulled. As from today an IMO edict comes into force declaring that they must be taken out of service in the next five years. However, for the moment, many still operate in the Strait. Greenpeace have secured a meeting with Minister Joe Holiday, to discuss inspections and general policing.

 5 Apr 1886 – A concession was granted for a Gibraltar Telephone Service, to Mr Cromwell Oliver Varley, electrical engineer, of Gibraltar and Tangier. 

5 Apr 1891 – A Census of the population was taken. It showed 19,859 civilians, 5,896 military giving a total population of 25,755 of whom 14,588 were male.

 5 Apr 1927 - HRHs Prince & Princess Arthur of Connaught, passengers on board the P&O liner Rawalpindi, landed to lunch with H.E. Sir Charles Monro.

 5 Apr 1929 - A Naval Review took place at North Front with 4000 sailors from the Mediterranean Fleet taking part. They paraded in front of Admiral Field, Comdr-in-Chief.

 5 Apr 1940 - WW2 - Convoy HG 25 departed Gibraltar with 37 ships escorted by destroyer Watchman and sloops Fowey and Bideford and arrived at Liverpool on the 15th.

 5 Apr 1943 – The Tangier correspondent of the Daily Express reported that a great British battle fleet left Gibraltar for an unknown Mediterranean destination. The fleet included the battleships Nelson, Rodney and Malaya, three aircraft carriers, 35 destroyers and corvettes, 26 motor torpedo boats and 3 submarines. (This was Force H gathering at Algiers) The correspondent added that convoys were entering and leaving Gibraltar almost daily. Concentrations of more than 100 merchantmen and warships are now frequent.

 5 Apr 1954 – The Empire Windrush troopship caught fire in the Mediterranean. Rescue vessels took the survivors and crew (around 1500 men, women and children) to Algiers, the nearest port, then the aircraft carrier HMS Triumph transferred them to Gibraltar. An airlift was arranged (mostly Hastings) to repatriate the troops and their families. The fire started after an explosion in the engine room which killed 4 men and destroyed electrical wiring. The 8^th Engineer, Leslie Pendleton, who was one of those killed, had previously expressed concerns about the state of the ship in five letters to his father. They were offered in evidence to the enquiry into the loss.

 5 Apr 1972 – Over 700 housewives took part in a march from Casemates to the Convent at five pm last evening, to protest at budget increases announced last week. Unusually, for Gibraltar, the demonstrators refused to disperse after the letter had been handed-in to the governor by Mrs Gloria Parody and Mrs Ida Yeo.  The housewives went back to Casemates and it was after six before the crowd had finally broken up. One placard read “Everything rises but the Tower Block lift”.

 5 Apr 1972 - The Transport Commission made a half-hearted attempt at dealing with Main Street congestion by ruling that vehicles be excluded from 9am to 9pm As usual they made exceptions for taxi drivers, so as not to have to their plan fail immediately.

 5 Apr 2005 – Odyssey Marine Inc. is temporarily suspending operations on the wreck believed to be HMS Sussex for 15 days, to allow; “the Spanish Government time to review the archaeological methods and administrative issues relating to the project and to discuss protocols for the protection of Spanish shipwrecks that Odyssey finds in the area or elsewhere in the world”. Odyssey has made no mention of the fact that Explorer has been severely harassed by Guardia Civil gunboats. The Junta of Andalucia, however, have stated that Odyssey require their permission to investigate the site and they will continue to disrupt any investigations, using coastal patrol vessels. Meanwhile, the 251‘exploration vessel is investigating another wreck site, until they are able to return to the Sussex site.

 5 Apr 2006 – An unusual catamaran arrived in the port today. The USS Swift HSV 2 is a high speed test platform for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) the latest addition to the USN.

The HSV (high speed vessel) can reach 55 knots which means that, given good weather the vessel could theoretically travel from Gibraltar to Italy in just 14 hours. The ship is of high tech modular construction, with a vast hold and a vehicle ramp at the stern. She can accommodate anything from mine warfare equipment to special services teams and even has room for a helicopter. Although currently experimental, her modular concept allows almost instantaneous changes of mission by reloading. She is based on a commercial ferry hull and is on lease from Tasmanian shipbuilder Incat. Despite her navy role the vessel is not brimming with weapons: “We are not a warship that is going to go and tear anybody up” the captain added “our best defence is to run away”.

 6 Apr 1841 – Trinity House London; ‘ The Light House that for sometime past has been in course of erection at Gibraltar, being now nearly completed, notice is hereby given, that the light therein will be exhibited for the first time on the evening of 1^st August next, and thenceforth continued every night from sunset to sunrise. Mariners are to observe, that this Light House is situate upon Europa Point, and that a powerful fixed light will be exhibited therein, and will burn at an elevation of one hundred and fifty feet, or thereabouts, above the sea’.  By order.  J. Herbert, Secretary.

 6 Apr 1888 - Mr Holmes drowned in a stream whilst out hunting.

 6 Apr 1900 – A new wing of the Sailor’s Home was opened by Governor Sir Robert Biddulph.

  6 Apr 1908 - Arrival of Field Marshal H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, C-in-C and High Commissioner of the Mediterranean accompanied by the Duchess, Princess Patricia and staff. H.R.H. visited the upper rock, accompanied by the Governor, to take part in the annual mobilization. They left on 12th April.

 6 Apr 1926 – Today HM Submarine X1 arrived, which was the largest submarine in the world (at that time). She had been designed as a commerce raider but the 1922 Washington Naval Treaty banned the use of submarines against merchant vessels. Propulsion was by 2x 3000hp diesel engines with 2x MAN diesel auxiliaries. After visiting Gibraltar it was found that her main engine drive wheels were damaged and she went for repair.  When she was sent back to the Med, during a high speed run in Jan 1928, her starboard camshaft driveshaft broke and a new set of gears was needed. After refitting at Malta her port camshaft drive failed in the same place. She spent most of her career in repair before being placed in the reserve in 1930 then she was finally broken up at Pembroke in 1936.

 6 Apr 1933 – Investiture at Government House, by HE the Governor, of the following gentlemen; Mr HJ King, JP, OBE, Mr J Coelho, MBE and Mr WE Brown, MBE.

 6 Apr 1942 - The Italian ships Vulcania and Saturnia, with a safe conduct from Italy to Eritrea for repatriation of civilians, arrived at Gibraltar and sailed again westward.

 6 Apr 1943 – Monday; The Naval station Mers el Kebir, Morocco was established.

 6 Apr 1944 – The first batch of 1,367 evacuated civilian personnel returned to Gibraltar on board the Duchess of Richmond and the Antenor.  The remainder would return over a period lasting until 1953, after protracted arguments with the British authorities.

 6 Apr 1968 - Gibraltar Palomos riots; cars overturned, a yacht burnt and 45 arrests.

 6 Apr 1972 – UK firm Wimpey have secured their first contract in Gibraltar which is to construct an oil sullage plant at the Western Arm. The £20K project embraces two storage tanks, a treatment tank, separating pit, boiler house, and sullage lines. It has already been started and should be operational when the old plant is demolished in July.

 6 Apr 2005 – The US guided missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) arrived for a port visit today. The Gonzalez’s home port is Norfolk, Virginia, and she forms part of the Kearsage Expeditionary Strike Group which passed through the Strait early this morning. Her detachment is to allow her 310 crew to enjoy the Rock, says CO Commander Jeffrey Griffin, not commenting on whether they may be required to support US vessel the Odyssey Explorer, whose archaeological work on HMS Sussex has been disrupted by the Guardia Civil. 

 7 Apr 1727 - (13th Siege) HMS Torbay, an 80 gun second rate,  launched in 1693 and rebuilt in 1719, arrived with reinforcements for the garrison.

 7 Apr 1890 – The Governor, Sir Robert Biddulph, issued an order prohibiting the entry into Gibraltar of any person suffering from, or suspected to be suffering from, or who had within a period of 21 days, suffered from Smallpox.

 7 Apr 1906 – Saw the last sitting of the Algeciras Conference.

 7 Apr 1926 - Mr EP Griffin appointed to act as Colonial Secretary (Hon. CWJ Orr on leave)

 7 Apr 1927 - Lieutenant Duffield marched into the orderly room and shot and killed Lt-Col. James Stephen Fitzgerald, the officer commanding the East Surrey Regiment. Duffield was tried at the Criminal Sessions from 12-17^th June, found guilty of Wilful Murder and sentenced to death. H.E. the Governor Sir Charles Monro later commuted the sentence to penal servitude for life and Duffield was sent to the UK on 8^th September. Duffield claimed his act had been ‘for the good of the regiment’ because Fitzgerald had been making homosexual advances to younger officers, putting them under pressure. This was a factor in commuting his sentence to life imprisonment. The Rt. Hon. Lord Darling a learned Judge was a spectator a sitting of the Supreme Court. 

 7 Apr 1937 - Order that wages be paid in British currency.

 7 Apr 1942 –P611, the first of two submarines for Turkey sailed from Gibraltar for Alexandria today.

 7 Apr 1972 – Governor, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Varyl Begg, has replied to the housewives’ protest against budget measures, with a letter explaining that it would be improper for him to intervene.

 7 Apr 1976 – The last time the 9.2 inch guns at O’Hara’s & Lord Airey’s were fired. In 1880 O’Hara’s Tower was demolished and in 1890, a 6 inch BL gun on a Vavasseur centre pivot mount was installed and then replaced in 1901 by the current 9.2 inch gun which has a 29000 yard range. The splinter shield was added in 1934.

 8 Apr 1903 – Start of a five day visit by King Edward VII (known in UK as Roger 1st) who arrived aboard the Royal Yacht Victoria & Albert. This was the first time a reigning British Sovereign had visited The Rock. Because of this visit the name of the Convent was changed to the new official name of Government House; the result of an extreme Protestant organisation objecting to the monarch dining in a convent. It remained Government House until WW2 when King Edward’s grandson, George VIth, ordered that the original title be resumed. During the royal visit the town was gaily en fete and H.M. announced the appointment of Sir George White as a Field Marshal. H.M. left for Malta on the 13th. Interestingly, the stationary at Government House still had the name Convent embossed across the top, resulting in replies from London contractors, responding to orders from Lady White, being addressed to ‘The Reverend Mother’.

 8 Apr 1925 - Rear Admiral Stapleton-Cotton succeeded Rear Admiral Ellerton as Rear Admiral in charge of HM Dockyard.

 8 Apr 1935 – The death occurred in Gibraltar of US Consul Charles E Allen, from nephritis. Having previously represented the USA in Adrianople, Constantinople, Algiers, Nantes, Damascus and Istanbul, he became Consul in Gibraltar in 1934 and died in office. He was very nearly 44 years old.

 9 Apr 1782 – Gibraltar was bombarded by land and sea during the Great Siege.

 9 Apr 1903 - The last stone of Dry Dock No 3 laid by King Edward VII.

 9 Apr 1927 – An imposing funeral for Lieut-Col. Fitzgerald, such as had not been witnessed for many years, was attended by the Governor.

 9 Apr 1928 – The Governor, Sir Charles Monro, intervened to bring an end to the coal heavers strike which had started on the 15^th January.

 9 Apr 1946 – An RAF Lockheed L.414 Hudson, Reg. FH280, minutes after taking off from North Front, suffered a double engine failure whilst climbing. The Captain was able to ditch the aircraft and six occupants were rescued whilst one passenger died. The aircraft was lost.

 9 Apr 2002 – UK Intelligence lawyer, Michael Shrimpton, speaking at the WASME conference in the Caleta Hotel, suggested that Spain had drawn up contingency plans for military action against Gibraltar. The Governor (David Durie) described the comments as “incredible” whilst the government (Keith Azzopardi) said the speech was “humorous in part, whilst totally incredulous in others”. Unfortunately, the UK media support Mr Shrimpton’s claim; that the Cordoba Plan, for the occupation of the Rock should present talks fail, is a reality. Drawn up by Brig. Gen. Jose Manuel Moya Ajuso, it had been leaked from Madrid. However, it remains to be seen whether or not it will be executed. Shrimpton is known to be unreliable but that does not make the Cordoba plan any less likely.

 10 Apr 1802 – Under the Treaty of Amiens, signed today, Britain handed over Minorca to the Spanish crown after receiving it in 1713  (Utrecht) and holding it for 70 years. In return Spain handed over Trinidad to Britain. Who got the best deal there? The two year Peace of Amiens was actually a deception by Boney to allow him to re-arm and husband his resources… Britain was mugged.

 10 Apr 1819 – Three years after the opening of the Alameda, the Governor Sir George Don accompanied by the Naval, Military and Civil Officers of the garrison, unveiled a bust of the Duke of Wellington. A guard of honour and four bands attended. The bust had been paid for by deduction of a day’s pay from all members of the garrison. The bust was cast in bronze under direction of Mr Westmacott from guns captured by the Duke of Wellington. It stands on a marble pillar brought from the Roman ruins of Lepida (Libya) and around the column stand 2x thirteen inch mortars, with shells and a 1758 12-pounder gun on a wooden garrison carriage.

 10 Apr 1865 – Attorney General Solly Flood arrived, having been appointed to discuss a proposed Sanitary Order in Council for Gibraltar with the Governor and other interested parties. He was subsequently to turn the Marie Celeste investigation into a pantomime with his lust for glory.

 10 Apr 1920 – The Prince of Wales Football Club celebrated its 25^th anniversary.

 10 Apr 1921 – The new Anglican Bishop of Gibraltar, Rt. Rev. John Harold Grieg was enthroned.

 10 Apr 1940 - WW2 - Convoy HG 26F left Gibraltar with 17 ships escorted by destroyer Viol, (1st 3 days)   French destroyer Lynx and auxiliary Minerve (1st 6 days) and the sloop Deptford (last 3 days) for safe arrival in Liverpool on the 19th.

 10 Apr 1942 – HMS Penelope arrived safely at Gibraltar. She had been attacked and shadowed throughout the previous day by a total of 14 T/B aircraft and about 25 JU 88s but was undamaged. Only 70 rounds of H.E. Ammunition remained on arrival at Gibraltar. Some anxiety was felt for her safety since Wishart and Boreas who had set out to intercept her and help her in did not make contact with her and no signals were received after 1530/9. (Previously at Malta: Penelope sailed at 2155/8 for Gibraltar. She was near missed before sailing; her Captain was wounded, but was able to sail in her. The Vice Admiral Malta, reported the following: "Penelope had a desperate but stirring final day at Malta, trying to keep to a timetable disorganized by raids and in action incessantly; by 1900 all H.A. ammunition was expended and re-ammunitioning had to be carried out before sailing. A reduction of about 150 was made in the crew. A bomb fell in the middle of number 4 dock shortly after Penelope had left it to take on fuel oil. The spirit and determination of her Captain, officers, and men after having been principal target of the heaviest continuous air raid yet seen, have been beyond praise.")

 10 Apr 1954 - Announcement that Spanish consulate is to close on 1st May just nine days before The Queen's visit.

 10 Apr 1980 – The Lisbon Agreement was signed by which Britain & Spain agreed to start negotiations aimed at overcoming all difficulties between them on Gibraltar. A diplomatic stalemate had persisted until the death of Franco; Thatcher's government then initiated a process leading to the Lisbon Agreement. The preamble stated:

"The British and Spanish governments, desiring to strengthen their bilateral relations and thus contribute to Western solidarity, intend, in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions, to resolve in a spirit of friendship, the Gibraltar problem." 

 10 Apr 2002 – Britain & Spain today celebrated the 200^th anniversary of the Treaty of Amiens, where UK gave Minorca to Spain. The Palacio de Santa Cruz espoused “This celebration is of special interest to Spain, bearing in mind the good relations between the two countries and the current negotiations over the future of Gibraltar”.  Hmm.

 10 Apr 2004 – Another rock fall caused Police to stop traffic passing through Catalan Bay Road today, until the area was declared safe later in the day.

 11 Apr 1713 – The Treaty of Utrecht was signed.

 11 Apr 1781 - (Great Siege) The enemy opened fire from forts, lines and advanced works, upon the Rock. Panic-stricken inhabitants retreated to the southern end of the Rock.

 11 Apr 1880 – The Austro-Hungarian barque, Nicolo Tomasco, bound for Trieste from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a cargo of petroleum, sank in the Gibraltar Strait, off Europa Point after being struck by lightning and catching fire.

 11 Apr 1903 – A Divisional parade in honour of HM King Edward VII.

 11 Apr 1927 – A Coroner’s Inquest was opened into the shooting four days earlier of Lt Colonel JS Fitzgerald by Lt Duffield.

 11 Apr 1948 – A Bristol 170 Freighter, Reg. F-BENG, operated by French company C. Air Transport left North Front for Casablanca. Shortly after a night takeoff from Gibraltar, while climbing to an altitude of 2,500 to 3,000 feet, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located in Los Barrios, northwest of Algeciras. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed. They were performing a cargo flight from Bordeaux to Casablanca with an intermediate stop in Gibraltar. The aircraft was carrying a load of four tons of various goods. The published procedure for a departure from runway 27 at Gibraltar Airport states that crews have to make a turn to the left after takeoff in order to avoid the mountains near Algeciras. For unknown reason, the crew continued a straight on climb out after lift off, causing the aircraft to hit the mountain.

 11 Apr 1971 – Herculean Promotions are re-opening the Theatre Royal, today, Easter Sunday, with a live show starring Helen Shapiro.

 11 April 2002 – Prince Rainier III and Crown Prince Albert of Monaco stepped from their official private jet onto the Gibraltar runway at lunchtime today before crossing to the border to meet Prince Felipe de Borbon, to tour La Linea and then visit port installations in Algeciras. What an exciting lives they lead, eh?

 12 Apr 1779 - Great Siege of Gibraltar commenced.

 12 Apr 1781 - (Great Siege) English fleet, under Lord Darby relieved the garrison; ‘which was in great extremity from want of provisions.’  One observer commented:  ‘The fog gradually rose like the curtain of a vast theatre, discovering to the anxious garrison… one of the most beautiful and pleasant scenes it is possible to conceive… the convoy of 100 vessels in a compact body, while the majority of the line of battle ships lay-to under the Barbary shore, having orders not to enter the bay lest the enemy should molest them with their fire ships.’

  12 April 1879 - Mr Pablo Larios, Chairman of the Sanitary Commissioners and a prominent citizen, died in tragic circumstances after he was run down by a horse being exercised on the Neutral Ground. Sergeant Howell of the Royal Welch Fusiliers was exonerated on the grounds that the horse bolted and there was little he could have done to avoid it; but Pablo died two days later. He left five sons.

 12 Apr 1915 – The Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Co. tanker SS Eburna, sailing in ballast from Cette to New Orleans with a mixed crew of European and Chinese sailors, was stranded at Cruces Point, Almanta Bay, Morocco, as a result of mistaken navigation in fog. This excited the interest of local natives who believed it was now theirs to plunder. The morning after running aground one of the ship’s boats, with two officers and two sailors, was captured by armed locals (referred to as Moors in the ship’s log) and taken away. Later, more locals used the same boat and another of their own to board the steamer but were beaten off by the ship’s crew using a steam hose. Shots were fired at the steamer from the two boats. The following morning a small RN vessel, HMS Richard Welford, came up but was unable to give help as her boat, with a crew of seven, was captured by the natives; with one killed and the others wounded. The two European sailors of the Eburna were later exchanged for provisions and tobacco and rejoined their ship. A British torpedo boat next arrived on scene and the Eburna’s crew took refuge aboard her. It was now time for a spot of gunboat diplomacy and HMS Caesar was duly summoned from Gibraltar. On arrival a contingent of marines boarded the Eburna and Lt. Smith and an interpreter went to negotiate with the natives, protected by the rifles of the marines in the Eburna.  In the meantime a steel hawser had been attached and while negotiations were proceeding, the Eburna was floated off. As the Eburna disappeared into the distance, Lt. Smith now lacking the protection of the marine’s rifles was taken prisoner along with the tobacco intended as exchange for the other prisoners. The ‘Moors’ then attempted to move off the beach but were persuaded otherwise by a salvo from Caesar’s 12pdr guns. Lt Smith was released but was made to swim back to his ship, the whole time being used for target practice. Fortunately their aim was poor. After firing eleven rounds from the 12pdrs, a picket boat, steam pinnace and a cutter were despatched to rescue the prisoners. No further mention came to light about the fate of the other prisoners and it was assumed they were unharmed. On return to Gibraltar each watch was given special leave by turn and the Navy eventually received £4000 as a salvage fee.

 12 Apr 1918 - A sum of £690-7-5d was collected for the Italian Red Cross.

 12 Apr 1927 – Today saw the revival of Gibraltar Fair after 13 years; none having been held since 1914.

 12 Apr 1984 – The newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Joseph Morello, paid an official call on the Mayor of Gibraltar, Abraham Serfaty. Mr Serfaty congratulated Mr Morello on being the first Gibraltarian appointed Commissioner of Police.

 12 Apr 1996 – The Alameda Open Air Theatre was inaugurated, once again, at 4 o’clock.

 13 Apr 1781 - (Gt Siege) Enemy gunfire set the town ablaze. The town is deserted by all but soldiery who take hold of ducks or whatever comes their way.  Incessant fire from enemy’s works all night. It is computed that the enemy fire about 3000 shots and shell every 24 hours.  Slaughtered objects are to be seen everywhere, some are minus an arm or leg others blown to pieces.

 13 Apr 1855 - A Mr Fenton was killed by two Spaniards on the road from Algeciras to Tarifa. The murderers were arrested and imprisoned and subsequently executed at Algeciras. Mr Fenton's body was buried in Gibraltar in the Protestant cemetery.

 13 Apr 1891 - Concert was given by the eminent violinist Sarasate.

 13 Apr 1903 - Today, King Edward VII departed for Malta at the end of his 5 day visit.

 13 Apr 1915 – Royal Calpe Hunt meeting at Almoraima was attended by HM Queen of Spain.

 13 Apr 1927 – Mr P Griffin appointed Justice of the Peace.

 13 Apr 1927 – Heavy north-easterly gale caused much damage at Catalan Bay and other places over the last two days.

13 Apr 1939 – The continued arrival of Spanish troops, field guns and machine guns at the frontier is causing alarm. Royal Engineers are barricading the road at North Front and motor cars are not permitted to enter or leave after sunset. It is believed that the barricade is a precautionary measure after troop movements near La Linea. HMS Arethusa, flagship of the Mediterranean Third Cruiser Squadron has arrived, accompanied by five destroyers. 

 13 Apr 1967 – ‘Great Britain has postponed, sine die, negotiations with Spain over Gibraltar following upon Spanish restrictions on flights to and from The Rock.’ Said the British:

‘This unnecessary and deliberate interference with flights, squares neither with the commonsense view of the matter nor with the letter of the Chicago Convention.’  The Spanish paper Arriba (part of the Franco machine) said; ‘One cannot deny that the latest Spanish move over Gibraltar is a grievous and mortifying blow for Britain. Access to the aerodrome at Gibraltar will in practice be closed. The 400 British tourists who arrive daily by air will have to use other, less quick and convenient, means of entry. It is a mortal blow for the already fading tourism of Gibraltar.’

 13 Apr 1971 – Government has issued an order controlling meat prices: Rump 38p; Topside 36p; Silverside 35p; Thick Flank 34p; Eye of Round (Redondillo) 36p; Strip Loin 46p and Tender Loin 50p. This was necessary since after decimalisation traders took advantage.

 13 Apr 1972 – Stocks of water at the beginning of this week stood at 7.8 million gallons, compared to 11.1 M gallons this time last year. At current rates of production and consumption these stocks are expected to last for around five weeks.

 13 Apr 1991 – The newly refurbished Victoria Stadium was opened.

 14 Apr 1816 - The Alameda Walks were first opened to the public after considerable work by R.E. Sappers. It was paid for by stoppages from military pay and by lotteries.

 14 Apr 1900 – A Spaniard, Juan del Rio, 40, was working at Catalan Bay Quarry when a rock weighing about 1 ton fell on him, fracturing both his legs. He subsequently died.

 14 Apr 1917 – (WW1) The SS Patagonier, 3,832 Tons, built 1910, sailing from Gibraltar for Kingston, Jamaica, in ballast, was captured by U-35, (Lothar von Arnauld de la Periere) and sunk by gunfire approximately 135 miles west of The Rock (36N. 09W.) and the master taken prisoner. Because of the shortage of guns at that time, vessels bound for N. American ports were ordered to dismount their guns, Patagonier was thus unarmed. Five days later the same U-35 sank the SS Sowwell, sailing for Glasgow with iron ore, 170 miles west of Gibraltar. Twenty one lives were lost including the master. By the 20^th April, U-35 had managed one steamship sunk together with an Admiralty collier and one damaged with possibly a fourth attacked, all off the approaches to Gibraltar. The vessel sunk was the Runciman Line’s SS Nentmoor, 3,535 tons, built 1903, sailing for Gibraltar with wheat, captured and sunk by gunfire by U-35 and the vessel damaged was the Union Castle Line’ passenger ship Leasowe Castle, 9,737 tons, built by Cammell Laird in 1915. She was struck by one torpedo about 90 miles west of The Rock but managed to make port. Clearly, Lothar was a determined adversary.

 14 Apr 1920 - One day visit by degenerate UK Prime Minister David Lloyd George.

 14 April 1931 – The 2^nd Spanish Republic was declared; King Alfonso XIII fled into exile in Paris. His 3rd son, Infante Don Juan de Borbon, Count of Barcelona, pretender to the Spanish throne (and father of Juan Carlos) accompanied by Infante Don Carlos de Borbon, sought sanctuary in Gibraltar from Republican forces; after escaping in his Dusenberg luxury motorcar, which was eventually shipped to him in exile. Don Juan soon left the Rock and went to the UK where he joined the Navy. According to veteran journalist Hector Licudi; whilst here he took up residence in the Rock Hotel and was outfitted at Gieves. His aides stayed in the Bristol. H.E. the Governor gave a dinner party in honour of the two princes. Despite Gibraltar saving his skin, he re­mained antagonistic towards us until his death. Hector Licudi further reports that later, on a trip through the strait on board a warship, Don Juan gave us the ‘inside left elbow salute.’ Thousands of Spaniards subsequently sought refuge in Gibraltar a few years later during the Spanish Civil War of 1936 - 39.

 14 Apr 1932 – A recital was given by the Polish-born US virtuoso pianist Arthur Rubenstein, who died on 20th December 1982.

 14 Apr 1936 - P&O Ranpura ran aground during a heavy gale. She had on board Chinese art treasures valued at £50M (1936 prices) being returned to Shanghai after exhibition in London. She ran aground at Punta Mala after dragging her anchor but was safely refloated by dockyard tugs on the 16th and continued on her passage to China. Ranpura survived the war as a RN armed merchant cruiser (F93) took part in the Suez crisis and was eventually broken up in 1961. 

 14 Apr 1940 - WW2 - Aircraft carrier HMS Glorious departed the Rock for the Clyde escorted by destroyers Velox and Watchman and Australian destroyer Stuart.

 14 Apr 1951 – The death occurred of Lt-Colonel Alexander Beattie CMG, CBE, MC, aged 63, at the Colonial Hospital.  Beattie, who retired from the army in 1922, had spent half of his Colonial Service of 27 years in Gibraltar where one of his biggest administrative tasks was the organisation of the double evacuation in 1940. His funeral, with military honours, took place the following day. It will be recalled that whilst Beattie organised departures from the Rock, the French authorities were responsible for settlement/accommodation/ medical facilities / public health etc. of the evacuees in  Morocco; a task at which they failed both abysmally and repeatedly. The forced ejection from Morocco actually saved many lives. 

 15 Apr 2001 – The Chronicle’s bicentenary was celebrated with an exhibition of early editions shown at the Garrison Library, throughout May. The first issue of the Gibraltar Chronicle was published on 4th May 1801, by the editor, Frenchman, Charles Bouisson, who had settled in Gibraltar in 1794. 

 15 Apr 1876 – HRH Prince of Wales arrived in the Serapis. He was accorded a right royal reception. Mr Francia, Chairman of the Exchange Committee read an address on behalf of the inhabitants and illuminations took place that night. During his visit HRH laid the foundation stone for the new market and attended the theatre etc. HRH left on the 20th April accompanied by HRH the Duke of Connaught aboard the yacht Osborne, bound for Seville. Osborne was the tender to the Royal Yacht Victoria & Albert.

 15 Apr 1877 – The strong arches at Wellington Front were blown up by the Royal Engineers in order to clear the ground for the foundations of the placement for a heavy gun.

 15 Apr 1918 - Summer time was enforced for the first time in Gibraltar, as was a special War Tax stamp of one penny? (or 1/2d?).  This daylight saving measure had first been introduced in Britain in 1916.

 15 Apr 1942 - P612, the second of two submarines for Turkey, left Gib today for Alexandria.

 15 Apr 1964 - The John Mackintosh Hall opened.

 15 Apr 2008 – The Gibraltar-owned scrapyard in Guadaranque, Reciclajes de Campo Gibraltar y Su Bahia S.L. was prohibited from dealing with scrap from the wreck of the bulk carrier New Flame on the grounds that it does not have an appropriate licence, issued by the Junta de Andalucia. An inspection by environmental officials said they had seen part of the hull as well as a container with part of the cargo in the premises. The yard has been instructed to ‘hand over the scrap’ to an authorised scrap dealer within five days. This is the price to pay for operating a business in Spain if you are Gibraltarian. No doubt the yard receiving the transferred scrap bought an ‘appropriate’ licence overnight.

 16 Apr 1746 – Black day for Jacobins. Bonnie Prince Charlie’s army was routed by William Augustus Duke of Cumberland’s (aka Butcher Cumberland) at Culloden effectively ending the Jacobite Rising. The knock on effect for Gibraltar was that Scots and Irish troops were no longer considered loyal to the crown – hence Hanoverian troops were maintained here.

 16 Apr 1817 – The foundation stone of the new Exchange was laid by Sir George Don.

 16 Apr 1860 – The blockade of Morocco ceased; as did government rations for refugees. The Spanish-Moroccan War had begun when Spain declared war on Morocco on 22nd Oct 1859. It was a conflict over the borders of Ceuta and fought in N. Africa. Morocco sued for peace after the Spanish victory at the Battle of Tetuan. It was concluded with Treaty of Wad-Ros on 26th of April. 

 16 Apr 1882 – A Spanish smuggler was shot dead by a British sentry.

 16 Apr 1935 – 800 schoolchildren visited Gibraltar from the White Star Liner Doric, whilst on a cruise to Naples.

 16 Apr 1940 - WW2 Convoy OG 25 arrived in Gibraltar initially escorted by destroyers Wakeful and Broke. OG 25 was later escorted by French destroyer Chacal and Torpedo Boat Batailleuse.

 16 Apr 1940 - WW2 - French submarine Requin arrived for anti submarine exercises with Gibraltar Force.

 16 Apr 1940 - WW2 - Aircraft carrier Ark Royal departed Gibraltar for exercises in the Alboran area but was quickly recalled, then left escorted by destroyers Vortigern, Westcott and Bulldog, for Norway via Britain.

 16 Apr 1963 – Mr Howard Frank Dykes, a 54 year old retired company director from Scotland residing in Guadalmina, Marbella, his son and a Spanish deck hand had a lucky escape from drowning. After spending a short time in Gibraltar, they were returning to Estepona in their one ton yacht. At about 4pm, some 40 yards off Europa Point, an explosion occurred on board, throwing all the occupants in the sea and the boat sinking shortly afterwards. The men swam towards the shore and were later rescued by the motor launches of the Gibraltar Police and the RAF. They were taken to the Colonial Hospital where they were detained suffering from shock.

 16 Apr 1964 – His Worship the Mayor, Sir Joshua Hassan, pressed the button to fire the Break-Out round for the Intermediate Break-Out in Arow Street, bringing the new two way traffic tunnel that would eventually link Sandy Bay with Hole in the Wall another step nearer.

 16 Apr 1982 – The British India Line’s 17,000 ton education ship SS Uganda arrived in the Gibraltar dockyard for conversion (in No2 Dock) to a Hospital Ship to be used in the Falklands Crisis. Dockyard crews worked round the clock and in a record 65 hours, 600 hospital beds had been installed; Wards, Operating Theatres, Intensive Care Unit, X-ray, and laboratories had been built and kitted out. A helicopter deck was added to the stern of the ship for ferrying casualties to & from land and satellite communication was installed to facilitate contact with other ships of the Naval Task Force. S.S. Uganda set sail from Gibraltar on the 19th April 1982 to the South Atlantic and continued to operate as hospital ship until the 14th July. A total of 700 servicemen were treated onboard during this time.

 16 Apr 1999 – A Gibraltar group presented a petition to EU Commission. It was the first ever petition accepted personally by Commission Officials who were alarmed and so called out the Riot Police, unnecessarily. Los Yanitos danced in the street with the Brussels Riot Police.

 16 Apr 2001 – Easter Monday. Gibraltar found out via Spanish TV that hydrostatic testing of the weld repairs in HMS Tireless took place today. There was no official announcement on the Rock leading to speculation that Easter Monday was chosen for the test because local TV and radio news shut down last Thursday and will not re-open until Tuesday.

 17 Apr 1876 – The foundation stone of the new Market was laid by the Prince of Wales.

 17 Apr 1920 - Two German trench mortars were placed at the Alameda as mementos of the Great War. (see also 7th June)

 17 Apr 1927 – The death occurred at Campamento of Sir Alexander Mosley Kt. CMG, JP.

 17 April 1929 - Transatlantic telephone service extended to Gibraltar; first call from the Rock to the USA was placed today. 

 17 Apr 1933 – Local amateurs Messrs L Bruzon and J Noguera achieved great success with their musical play Villa Diego produced by the Agrupacion Artistica Calpense at the Theatre Royal.

 17 Apr 1971 – The Chronicle reports: Singer Helen Shapiro, 24, was in Gibraltar (on the 11^th Apr) to star in the re-emergence show at the Theatre Royal. The one-time grand theatre had been allowed to become an empty shell and an eyesore until the hopes of some young men supported by the sponsorship of some confident businessmen dragged it from the edge of oblivion to again become a hub of live entertainment.

 18 Apr 1705 - Marshal Lesse raises the Siege of Gibraltar by Spanish and French forces.

 18 Apr 1781 (Gt. Siege) A brisk little battle was fought in the bay when the Spanish xebecs moved in and attacked the frigates Minerva, Monsieur and Nonsuch, inflicting casualties but no damage before they were driven off. The action was repeated again next day and was similarly unsuccessful… however they were very nimble, Lord Darby said: ‘The gun boats in calm operated against out frigates by means of their oars and were secure from pursuit.’

 18 Apr 1927 – Today saw the departure of Rear Admiral and Mrs Stapleton Cotton. He was succeeded by Rear Admiral CS Townsend as Admiral in Charge, Gibraltar.

 18 Apr 2002 – Two men and two women, all students from Madrid, were detained after a complaint from the public that they were displaying a large Spanish Flag and taking photographs at Europa Advance Rd near the mosque. The four were conveyed to New Mole House and later released without charge. An RGP spokesman explained that they posed a risk of causing a public order offence and were detained for their own safety.

18 Apr 2002 - Today, Tony Blair (PM) Jack Straw (Foreign Sec) and Peter Hain (Minister for Europe) reached agreement with the Spanish government to allow the British to keep control of a naval base on the island (sic) while the people of Gibraltar could hold a binding referendum. In his book Peter Hain says: 'We shook hands not quite believing our governments had come together on Gibraltar for the first time in 300 years.'  However, the deal was short-lived and hours after agreeing it, the Madrid government had vetoed it. 'Jack Straw returned to Gibraltar a few weeks later where he was almost violently attacked by a baying mob'... well actually he wasn't. He was barracked and booed, but Peter Hain has always been prone to exaggeration.

19 Apr 1781 - (Gt Sge) The Town is now almost a heap of ruins.

 19 Apr 1876 - Farewell demonstration initiated by Casino Calpe made in honour of H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, who was about to quit the garrison.

 19 Apr 1906 - Arrival of Royal Highness' Prince and Princess of Wales from India aboard HMS Renown, who departed for UK on 2nd May. During their stay, they visited the Upper Galleries, Corkwoods, etc.

 19 Apr 1906 - The corpse of an Indian was cremated at Eastern Beach.

 19 Apr 1918 - Some £887-5-9 was collected for Belgian Flag Day.

 19 Apr 1930 – Death of Mr William Miles, aged 74, a valued helper of this directory… (Gibraltar Almanac)

 19 Apr 1934 – H.E. the Governor, Gen. Sir C.H. Harington, paid an official visit to Exemo. Sr. Don Luis Nuflex de Prado, General in Seville, which lasted until 21^st. Many entertainments were arranged.

 19 Apr 1936 - Political situation in Spain became tense; shooting, affrays, burning of churches and centre-of-right parties started in several places. Right wing newspapers were destroyed on arrival in Algeciras. House searches were commonplace. Arrests of retired military officers etc, took place in Algeciras; although many were subsequently released.

19 Apr 1942  - Operation Calendar: Force W, including aircraft carrier USS Wasp, sailed from Gibraltar on the night of the 18/19th to reinforce Malta with spitfires. USS Wasp successfully flew off 47 spitfires into Malta.

 19 Apr 1971 – The Chronicle informed us that: The report of the Select Committee on Compulsory Military Service, which was unanimously approved by the HoA, is now being considered by the Governor, who has direct responsibility for defence. The main recommendation is that compulsory military service should cease not later than July 31^st 1972 and that Gibraltar should contribute to its defence by the recruitment of a volunteer force.

 19 Apr 1998 - Cable & Wireless Adventurer set off round world at 4.00pm following a roughly equatorial course of some 26,000 miles, calling at Port Said, Maldives, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Honolulu, San Diego, Panama Canal, Jamaica, Miami, New York and back to the start point in Gibraltar.  The Nigel Irens designed stabilised monohull, built by Vosper Thorneycroft, has twin engines driving it at 18 knots (max 26Knots) with range of 4K miles carrying crew of 16, including Adrian Moreno from Gibtelecom. Adventurer Jock Wishart has been planning this voyage for six years.

 20 Apr 1781 (Gt. Siege) This evening Lord Darby made use of a N.E. breeze to exit the bay with his warships and merchantmen.

 20 Apr 1860 - Remains of Vice Admiral Don Gabriel de Ciscar, who died and was interred at Gibraltar on 12 Aug 1829, were exhumed with military honours and embarked on board the Spanish frigate Villa de Bilbao, for conveyance to La Carracas Naval College. H.E. the Governor was present and minute guns were fired from the Union Galleries. Don Gabriel had been one of the Regents in 1814 when Ferdinand came from France and his reward was to be banished to Galicia. He was a naval officer and a good astronomer.

20 Apr 1876 – Saw the departure of the Prince of Wales.

 20 Apr 1814 – A Proclamation was issued ordering all USA subjects to quit Gibraltar.

 20 Apr 1940 - WW2 - Convoy OG 26F, with 54 ships, arrived in Gibraltar escorted by the sloop Sandwich.  Sandwich was temporarily attached to the 13th destroyer flotilla as a replacement for destroyers Wishart and Active, which departed in the convoy HG 27 to give the crews leave in England.

 20 Apr 1932 - HMS Douglas & the submarine Regent collided and both put into Gibraltar for repairs.

 20 Apr 1959 – The Prince of Wales Own Regiment of Yorkshire arrived on board the troopship Dunera taking over as Resident Battalion from the 1st Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment.

 21 Apr 1961 – HM the Queen Mother arrived on board the Royal Yacht (en route to Tunisia)  accompanied by HMS Salisbury, to a 21 gun naval salute and a fly past by a Shackleton of 224 Sqdn. piloted by Squadron Leader NG Ashcroft. HM was greeted by the Governor Sir Charles Keightley and various dignitaries and a second 21 gun salute was fired in honour of Queen Elizabeth II’s 35^th birthday. Everywhere the Queen Mum went she was greeted with cheers and loud applause.

 20 Apr 2001 – A world record was established by the Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau when they produced a stamp commemorating the Queen’s 75^th birthday, within 10 & 1/2 hours of a photograph of H.M. being taken at Buckingham Palace. The photo was produced at 8.00am London time, scanned by the Press Association and delivered electronically to a secure printer. This afternoon the finished stamps arrived by air in Gibraltar at 6.25pm aboard BA 6906 and were subjected to security checks by the Royal Philatelic Society, Court Correspondent & Crown Agents before the first First Day Cover was sold at Hadfield House at 19.24pm (18.24 London Time) to Hector Requena. The record attempt was to be within 24 hours but was achieved in 10 hours 24 minutes.

 20 April 2005 – Gibraltar Port today saw the arrival of the luxury cruise ship Sea Cloud. Built by Krupp’s yard at Kiel (to American Gibbs & Cox specs) in 1931, she was then the largest private yacht ever built.  Christened the Hussar, she was a four-masted barque built for Wall Street tycoon EF Hutton and designed by his wife Marjorie Merryweather Post, heiress and successful business woman. After a varied career, including diplomatic missions and after being considered (by Eisenhower) too beautiful for war service, Sea Cloud has been restored as a cruise ship.

 21 Apr 1727 – Today saw the arrival of Prince Frederick with Lord Portmore, Governor, and Lord Mark Kerr and troops.

 21 Apr 1898 - Spain declared war on the United States. During the war the sovereign reached over Ptas. 54. Shortly afterwards, the offer was made to hand over a large tract of the Campo in exchange for UK support for the Spanish side against the USA. The offer was politely declined.

 21 Apr 1910 - Halley's Comet was observed at 4.20 am.

 21 Apr 1914 – The new Gibraltar Lifeboat, Calpe, arrived. (This teak lifeboat, when taken out of service, was converted and rigged as a ketch by Sir Willie Thompson, eventually ending up in the hands of Johnnie Stagnetto, famously Commodore of the RGYC in the 90s).

 21 Apr 1928 – HRH Princess Beatrice stayed at Government House on her way to England.

 21 Apr 1933 – WS Gulloch, Chief of Police, appointed to the City Council in place of Mr J Discombe, JP.

 21 Apr 1971 – Chronicle reports: In accordance with the Military Service Ordinance (Cap 108) and the Proclamation of the Governor dated Jan 13^th 1960, under this ordinance all male persons ordinarily resident in Gibraltar who are British subjects and who were born between 17^th Oct 1930 and 6^th June 1953 (both dates inclusive) are hereby required to register for Military Service unless they have already so registered or are specifically exempted by Section 12 of the Ordinance. Signed NH Birbeck, Brigadier IC Administration.

 21 Apr 1998 - Thomson's Battery, Gibraltar Regiment, fired the Queen's Birthday salute (62 rounds) from the Tower of London.

 21 Apr 2004 – The famous submarine HMS Tireless, one time resident of Gibraltar, recently surfaced at the North Pole after weeks beneath the ice.  (Exactly when is for UK eyes only) The permanent ice pack at the North Pole has retreated by 100 miles in recent years and can thin in the summer to as little as 6 feet. Altogether, Arctic ice has diminished by 40% over the last 20 years.

 22 Apr 1867 - Electric light demonstrated for the first time in Gibraltar.

 22 Apr 1918 – The issue of tickets for the supply of certain foodstuffs at reduced prices to poor people took place today.

 22 Apr 1923 - Grand Naval Review took place at North Front, by the Atlantic Fleet.

 22 April 1935 – The ex-Crown Prince of Germany (Frederich Wilhelm Victor August Ernst) visited Gibraltar whilst cruising on board the SS Columbus (North German Lloyds). He was the eldest child of the future Emperor Wilhelm II and held the title from aged six, for 30 years until the Empire was abolished in 1918. He remained Head of the House of Hohenzollern from Jun 1941 till his own death in July 1951. After the German revolution in 1918, the Crown Prince was exiled by internment on the island of Wieringen (NL) but was allowed to return in 1923 after agreeing not to engage in politics.

 22 Apr 1950 – A new lending library of 1500 books was opened at 212 Main St. The library was open to all without subscription and for 3d a member could borrow a book for a week. The library had been started by private subscription and was run by a small committee; all work was carried out by volunteers and all profit re-invested in books.

 22 Apr 1961 – HRH the Duke of Kent paid a brief visit to Gibraltar.

 22 Apr 2004 – This was the final day of a three day royal-visit by Geoff Hoon, UK Minister of Defence. The military weren’t very impressed and the people of Gibraltar not at all.

 23 Each Year - St George’s day, England and Catalonia (Rose & Book day), anniversary of Shakespeare's Birthday and of Cervantes Death.

 23 Apr 1707 – A terrible storm; the lookout was destroyed by lightning.

 23 Apr 1783 - General Augustus Eliott was invested with the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, for his gallant defence of the Rock. The investiture was made upon the ramparts of King's Bastion before the whole garrison by Lt-General Boyd as H.M.'s Representative. On Eliott's return to England he was raised to the Peerage as Baron Heathfield of Gibraltar.

 23 April 1935 – The investiture at Government House, when H.E. the Governor Gen. Sir Charles Harington presented the insignias of the O.B.E. to Messrs G Gaggero & R Wheeler.

 23 Apr 1953 – Mr Menahem Creciente, 78, was found was found bound by cords to his bed, in his room behind his grocers shop at No 8 Parliament Lane. He was discovered by Mr Estella, a shoemaker, who was retrieving his motorcycle from the patio when he noticed Mr Creciente’s door wide open and the light on. He could see a person’s two feet tied to the foot of the bed. When conveyed to hospital Mr Creciente was declared dead, he was a reclusive bachelor and his only relative was a niece in La Linea. The police subsequently found that £84 was missing and eventually charged lorry driver Daniel Vasquez Moya, 27, of La Linea with murder. (Tom F.)

 23 Apr 2003 – The 1700^th anniversary of the martyrdom of St George was celebrated on the Rock by the issue of a special set of first day cover stamps and a one pound circulating coin and 1/5 ounce gold crown. To commemorate the issue, Prince Carlos of Bourbon-Two Sicillies, Duke of Calabria and Grand Prefect of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George was accompanied by Cardinal Pompedda and other dignitaries of the order in launching the Philatelic Bureau’s latest issue.

 24 Apr 1591 – The Battle of the Strait of Gibraltar: Three English merchant ships escorted by Centurion, a larger armed merchantman, returning to England from Marseilles, were becalmed in the Strait when they were attacked by six Spanish galleys. Five of the galleys attacking Centurion used grappling irons to make themselves fast, two to a side and the fifth at the stern. Her 48 men and boys discharged their ordnance as the Spanish approached and then set about cutting grapples and repelling the attackers. Fire was maintained to cripple the Spanish ships but Centurion was set ablaze several times. Eventually the Spaniards were reduced to firing hammers and the chains of their galley slaves, as their ammunition was exhausted. After a battle lasting 5 1/2 hours the Spaniards released their grapples and withdrew, having over 200 men killed – many by drowning – and their ships badly crippled. The Centurion had 4 men killed and 10 men severely injured. Meanwhile the 6^th galley attacked the small merchantman Dolphin, which eventually blew up; there were no survivors. The next day 6 other Spanish galleys came and watched the Centurion but did not attempt any kind of action. The rest of the convoy reached London without incident. Centurion would later play a part in the Capture of Cadiz (1596).

 24 Apr 1864 - Emperor Maximilian I and Empress Charlotte (of Mexico) arrived.

 24 Apr 1888 - A. Melfort-Campbell acting Colonial Secretary was appointed Gibraltar's first civilian Deputy Governor.

 24 April 1929 - The huge Graf Zeppelin flew through the strait from E to West.

 24 Apr 1964 - Robust journalist Hector Licudi and his family "were all in the azotea when we saw a huge bell-like thing coming down from the sky to about 50 feet from us." To date they cannot come up with a rational explanation.

 24 Apr 1999 – The Gibraltar Government yesterday announced the commencement of its Heritage Management Plan which will take close on five years to complete. Its purpose it to gain World Heritage Status, since UK Heritage Secretary Chris Smith recently announced that Gibraltar has been chosen as one of 25 UK sites which can be considered for this accolade over the next ten years to be included in the UNESCO list of areas with World Heritage status on the grounds of their beauty or historical interest.

 24 Apr 2004 – Type 42 Destroyer HMS Edinburgh arrived on the Rock, two days out of Portsmouth. She will replace HMS Campbeltown in the anti-terror Operation Active Endeavour in the Strait of Gibraltar

 25 Apr 1607 - A naval engagement took place in the bay between Dutch and Spaniards.

 25 Apr 1773 - Captain Edward Butler of Royal Regiment of Fusiliers died aged 111, after serving in the army for over 90 years. His grave was in the upper cemetery at Southport Gate - (St Jagos). But where is it now?

 25 Apr 1848 - The first Royal yacht, The Victoria & Albert, was launched at Pembroke Docks after suffering serious damage when first floated.

 25 Apr 1918 - Torpedo Boat No 90 capsized in rough seas, whilst on patrol in the Strait and 13 of her crew were drowned.  A collection was made for dependants, realising £202-10-0. During WW1 a fleet of 11 (20 year old) torpedo boats, of just over 100 tons, were maintained at Gibraltar; No. 83 and Nos 87-96.

 25 Apr 1933 - The USS California State arrived from Barcelona.

 25 Apr 1933 – The Hon. Eveline Charlotte Godley arrived and stayed at Government House. (She was a fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society and of Royal Astronomical Society.)

 25 Apr 1934 – The Dog Licence was introduced at 4s 6d.

 25 Apr 1940 - WW2 - Convoy OG26 arrived on the Rock escorted by French sloop Animate and French escort ship Vikings.

 25 Apr 2000 – 51 year old UK journalist Kevin Murphy swam from Tarifa to Morocco in 5hrs 10mins, as the latest in a lifetime of record breaking swims which include 30 times across the channel (1st Briton & first amateur to complete a both way swim, in 1970). His next project is UK channel since the King-of-the-Channel Cup for the maximum number of crossings currently stands at 31.  Apparently the civil authorities in Gibraltar warned him against the danger of sharks but Spanish authorities told him; hay no problemas.

 26 Apr 1838 - The Foundation stone was laid for Europa Point Lighthouse by the Governor Sir A Woodford, with Masonic Honours, before a reputed 10,000 crowd, including visitors from adjacent Spanish towns. A young Jewish woman Aniza Benaim was accidentally shot dead during the salvoes fired by the Gibraltar lateen-craft. The light was first exhibited in Aug 1841. 

 26 Apr 1923 - Wedding of H.R.H. the Duke of York and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (ie Queen Mother today) Royal Salutes being fired and Men-o-War dressed with bunting. A congratulatory telegram was sent by H.E. the Governor, General Sir H Smith-Dorien.

 26 Apr 1931 - The first talkie was screened in Gibraltar at the Theatre Royal.

 26 Apr 1931 - A census was taken of the population; there were 17,613 civilians; 541 Royal Navy; 3,218 military; totalling some 21,272 people. (It had been 22,018 in 1921)

 26 Apr 1937 - During the Spanish Civil War, a German Condor Legion bombed the Basque town of Guernica on Franco's behalf, totally destroying it and motivating Picasso to paint his (arguably) most famous picture.

 26 Apr 1941 – General Lord Gort, former Chief of the General Staff, and after the evacuation from Dunkirk, Inspector-General of the Forces, has been appointed Governor of Gibraltar. He succeeds Lt-General Sir Clive G Liddell who has been appointed Inspector-General of the Forces. The Daily Express says that Lord Gort’s appointment clearly shows that the British Government is well aware of the danger that the hour of attack against the Rock may be very near. Lord Gort is the ideal man – the paper says – to defend Gibraltar. His record proves that he is an astute soldier of matchless courage and tenacity.

 26 Apr 1988 - Franco's brother in law Serrano Suner quoted in Madrid's Panorama; "Franco acted behind Spanish government's back and secretly ceded the isthmus to Britain, in order to balance the help given by Spain to Germany during WW2."

 26 Apr 2005 - Shocked residents of Montagu Gardens were forced to evacuate their homes at 3am this morning when a huge fire broke out in the underground garage, destroying 16 vehicles. A second smaller fire was detected in a letterbox in the foyer of one of the blocks. The police subsequently arrested two men who were later released on bail.

 27 Apr 711 - First Moorish invasion led by Berber, Tariq-ibn-Zayad.

 27 Apr 1822 - Quartermaster of 27th Regiment drowned at Europa Point.

 27 Apr 1927 – The boom-defence vessel HMS Plover was sold off today. Built as a composite screw gunboat in 1888, at Pembroke Dockyard, she was employed as a boom-defence vessel at Gibraltar in 1913.

 27 Apr 1932 – At the Criminal Sessions, a fireman from SS Kemmendine was sentenced to year’s penal servitude for manslaughter.

 27 Apr 1950 – Breathing apparatus was used by the City Council Fire Brigade to reach the seat of a fire in Bomb House lane, the residence of Assistant Director of Medical Services Colonel K Fletcher Barratt. A call had been made at 7 pm reporting Bomb House was on fire, the seat of the fire being located in the dividing wall on the second floor. The all clear was given an hour later and there was no serious damage.

 27 Apr 1951 - At 10.10 am a huge explosion occurred aboard the ammunition vessel RFA   Bedenham alongside the munitions wharf (the torpedo camber) whilst transferring ammunition to a lighter. Around 9.30 smoke had been seen coming from the lighter but no action had been taken. There were thirteen deaths and many serious injuries. Many windows in town were blown out and pieces of shrapnel cleared the Rock to land on the east side, structural damage was widespread.

 27 Apr 1958 – The death occurred of Mrs Victoria Mackintosh, 78. Since her husband’s death, she had been renowned for her good and charitable deeds to both needy individuals and the community as a whole. She was much loved by people in all walks of life for her willingness to help others irrespective of race or creed.

 27 Apr 2005 – Zurich University anthropologist Lara Modolo has just presented the results of her research into the origins of Gibraltar’s Barbary Macaque population. After taking blood samples from 30% of the colony, DNA analysis comparing our Rock Apes with those of Morocco and Algeria has clearly demonstrated a close relationship. Although the Rock’s population dwindled (possibly as low as 3x animals) during WW2, and the pack was restocked from Morocco, distinct genetic markers demonstrate a source amongst a much older group, which includes Algerian relatives. However, we are no nearer determining how or when they first arrived on the Rock.

 28 Apr 1761 – The death occurred of Rt. Hon. the Earl of Howe, Governor and Commander in Chief.

28 Apr 1857 – Rt. Rev. J.B. Scandella appointed Vicar Apostolic.

 28 Apr 1891 - Cavendish Boyle gave a dinner to officers and men of Port Department on his retirement as acting Captain of Port.

 28 Apr 1928 – His Grace the Duke of Wellington, who had arrived from Spain the previous day, left for England.

 28 Apr 1933 - End of 3 day visit by US training ship California State. A farewell dinner and dance was given at Government House (Convent) in honour of Rear Admiral & Mrs James.  HE presented a silver hunting horn to the Admiral on behalf of the Calpe Hunt.

 28 Apr 1939 - The Gibraltar Defence Force (GDF) was formed.

 28 Apr 1940 - WW2 - Convoy OG 27F arrived, escorted (for the final stretch) by the sloop Bideford.

 28 Apr 1967 – At 1 pm, windows were broken and stones and rubble thrown into the corridor and offices of the Revenue and Police stations at Four Corners, as a result of Spanish blasting operations on the neutral ground. About a dozen windows were also broken in the MPBW building behind the Guardroom. 

 28 April 1986 – King Juan Carlos I of Spain having been invited to address the UK Parliament, displayed his lack of understanding of his role as a guest by describing Gibraltar as a problem. At that point various Lords and MPs should have got up and left... they did not… or he should have been shown the door. The insult was repeated by his son Felipe, 31 years later in a similar address to Parliament. These people were not brought up to respect anything.

Following Juan Carlos's speech, British Foreign Secretary Dr David Owen said on Channel 4 TV  "all right thinking Gibraltarians consider that the safeguard of the pre-amble to the constitution should be scrapped."  No we don’t…. and it was not up to David Owen to try and put words in our mouths.

29 Apr 1805 - HM Frigate Amazon captured the Spanish Ceuta Packet, San Isidro and landed all the crew as prisoners of war.

29 Apr 1885 – The first concert in Garrison Recreation Rooms (now Ince’s Hall).

29 Apr 1898 – (Sp-American War) Three Spanish torpedo boats are cruising off Gibraltar, changing their positions nightly, on the lookout for American vessels. They are purchasing coal. The British Warship HMS Charybdis is watching them, ready for action. Britain is determined to maintain neutrality. The three are part of the Torpedo Flotilla at Cadiz which is composed of Barcelo, Orion, Habana and Retamosa; these are (typically) 65 ton boats capable of 20 knots with crews of 17/18 men.

 It has been stated that Admiral Vilamil, commander of the Spanish Torpedo Squadron, before leaving Cadiz, visited the shrine of the Virgin, accompanied by the crews of the vessels under his command. Addressing the men, he offered to any who felt fear, the choice of remaining behind, but the crews unanimously replied that they preferred sharing with their commander the dangers of the seas and war if it came. Whereupon the Admiral and his seamen knelt before the crucifix and took a solemn vow never to return to Spain unless victorious. (Direct translation evidenced by the syntax)

 29 Apr 1926 – A fall of rock at Windmill Hill; 3 soldiers injured.

 29 Apr 1928 – The Rev. Dean Warde was installed as the Dean of Gibraltar.

 29 Apr 1951 – Hundreds of spectators joined family mourners and officials led by the Governor, when the victims of the Bedenham explosion were buried at N. Front cemetery.

 29 Apr 1953 – Lady Mountbatten arrived by RAF Viking for a short visit.

 29 Apr 1959 – Gen. Sir Kenneth Anderson KCB MC died of pneumonia, aged 67, in KG5. (In those days it was a hospital for TB, etc.)  He had been Governor of Gibraltar from 1947 – 1952 and is mostly remembered for the building of new houses to alleviate the poor housing conditions and for constitutional changes which established the Legislative Council. The funeral took place next day at 4.30 from Holy Trinity, where his body lay in state before the High Altar from 1200. He was buried at N. Front cemetery. Gen. Anderson will long be remembered as one of the most popular Governors; women wept when he and Lady Anderson drove away at the end of their tour of duty, their car being showered with flowers as they drove down Main St. His tour had been extended twice (first to 4 years then 5) at the wish of the inhabitants and covered an important period in the advancement of civil power and democratic representation.

 29 Apr 1982 - Reported from Rafael Lafuente, writing in Sol de Espana: "The Gibraltarian, in view of Spain's anti-British and pro-Argentine feelings, will always fear placing his future in the hands of a state which, in one and a half centuries, has had two failed Republics; nine abolished Constitutions; a grossly inefficient administration, and as many political pronouncements and civil wars as any of those overseas Banana Republics which owe to us Spaniards their illustrious pedigree."

 29 Apr 1986 – The Los Angeles class submarine USS Atlanta (SSN-712) ran aground in the Strait of Gibraltar. In American submariner’s parlance they bottomed. Although there was no injury and no apparent damage, any incident with a nuclear submarine is a reportable event.

 30 Apr 1730 - M.D. (?) sentenced to receive 300 lashes and to be drummed out of the garrison for having created a disturbance and cut the throat of A.S. (?)

 30 Apr 1879 - Dr Grosso died.

30 Apr 1898 – Gibraltar has been badly hoaxed by a young Spaniard calling himself “an officer of the Spanish Marine attached to the cruiser Carlos Vth.” The young man spent 21 days in Gibraltar and on the strength of his position was warmly welcomed, attended local functions and was generally entertained. When he went to two artisans clubs where dances were being held, the band was directed to play the Spanish National Anthem. He was asked to dine, and did so, at the Officers Mess of the Royal Garrison Regiment on their guest night; he was also welcomed by many high military officials and finally seized the opportunity to become engaged to a local beauty. At the end of three weeks he left for Cadiz, where he was arrested at the request of the Spanish Consul in Gibraltar, and charged with not paying his bills. It turned out that he was never in the navy at all. He was merely studying for the merchant marine; he had never been to sea and only went to Gibraltar to see if he could get a voyage to America gratis. Gibraltar now feels much resentment.

  30 Apr 1906 - HRHs the Prince and Princess of Wales arrived on board HMS Renown.

 30 Apr 1921 - Arrival of Crown Prince Hirohito of Japan, aboard HIMS Katari, until 3rd May. (He visited Europa Lighthouse)

 30 Apr 1932 – Today is the centenary of the American Consulate in Gibraltar being held by members of Sprague family. The Spaniards eventually forced the closure of the consulate as part of the deal for the Americans to use Rota.

 30 Apr 1933 - WE Brown MBE retired as Supt Civil Police after 12 years.

 30 Apr 1943 - The submarine HMS Seraph released the body of a supposed Marine, Major William Martin into the sea off Huelva. Simultaneously the Germans intercepted radio traffic indicating a British aircraft had crashed in the vicinity and there was some panic about a briefcase. The false papers he carried included a letter from Gen Sir Archibald Nye (Vice Chief of the Imperial General Staff) to Gen Sir Harold Alexander (CiC British Forces N Africa) which stated; “We stand a very good chance of making him think we shall go to Sicily – it is an obvious objective which should make him feel nervous.” This helped persuade the Germans that the next allied blow would fall in Sardinia/Greece and Hitler moved thousands of troops to Sardinia. A subsequent telegram to Churchill read: “Mincemeat swallowed rod, line and sinker by right people and from best information they look like acting on it.” (See the 1955 film; The Man Who Never Was) HMS Seraph’s commander, Captain Bill Jewel, died on 18^th Aug 2004, aged 90.

 30 Apr 1953 – Admiral Earl Mountbatten, CiC Mediterranean arrived on board HMS Indomitable.

 30 Apr 1956 - Unemployment benefits commenced.

 30 Apr 1959 - Franco guaranteed... "Natives of Gibraltar their legitimate interests" and at the same time introduced restrictions at the frontier.

 30 Apr 1960 – BEA’s new Vanguard aircraft landed at North Front after a three hour proving flight from London. This aircraft has doubled the capacity of the Viscount previously used with seating for 139 passengers and 4 tons of freight.

 30 Apr 1966 – The inauguration took place of the floodlighting of the North Face of the Rock. The switching on ceremony was performed by Chelsea Pensioner 82 yr old Corporal Charles Statham and Miss Gibraltar 19 year old Rosemary Vinales.

 30 Apr 1969 – The Spanish Consulate in Gibraltar closed and Consul Angel de la Mora y Arena left the Rock.

 30 Apr 1999 – The Governor, Sir Richard Luce, has now publicly acknowledged that on the 25^th March he gave his assent to two Bills passed on 18^th February, which downgrade the executive powers of the Financial Secretary.  It is thought the information was not released because of a certain resistance on the part of the Convent or the F&CO or both. The Financial Secretary & the Attorney General remain the only two un-elected members of the House of Assembly.

  

                                                             ~~~

 April 1895 - The South Wales Borderers arrived.

April 1909 – An investigation is underway into a series of mailbag robberies in transit from Gibraltar to Spain. The seams of the bags were cut and re-sewn after the registered packets had been extracted, steamed open, rifled of their contents, and the envelopes re-gummed and replaced in the bags. Owing to these extraordinary precautions, the thefts were not discovered until the absence of the enclosure was noticed after the letters had been received by the addressees. 

 April 1929 – A Gymkhana was held at North Front, which was then a racetrack and gardens, in aid of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

 April 1943 – Operation Mincemeat:

One of the war's great deception schemes, launched to convince the German High Command that the Allied landings would take place on Sardinia and not on Sicily, the obvious choice. The body of an unknown man who had died recently was dressed in the uniform of a major of the Royal Marines and given the name of Major William Martin. A briefcase was attached to the body containing highly confidential documents that foretold future Allied war plans in the Mediterranean. Major Martin's body was transported from Loch Ewe in Scotland by the submarine HMS Seraph to a point just off the coast of Spain and there committed to the sea. It eventually washed ashore and into the hands of German intelligence agents. Within days the contents of the briefcase was being analysed in Berlin. Winston Churchill, then in the United States, received the coded message 'Mincemeat swallowed whole'. The body of 'Major Martin' lies buried in the Roman Catholic Cementerio de la Soledad at Huelva, Spain. For decades the gravesite has been maintained by a Spanish lady, Dona Naylor de Mendez whose British father initiated the practice of putting a flower on the grave every Remembrance Day. This she did with other graves of British airmen buried nearby and in 2002, when she was 69 years old, Britain awarded her the MBE (Member British Empire) for her devotion and work.

Official files on 'Operation Mincemeat' are not searchable until 2043 but in November 1995, some of the top secret files were released to reveal for the first time in 52 years, the true identity of 'Major Martin'. He was a Glyndwr Michael, born February 4, 1909, in Aberbargoed, a small mining village in Wales. A vagrant alcoholic he had committed suicide by taking rat poison containing phosphorus when sleeping rough in a disused London warehouse and died from chemically induced pneumonia. 

The real Major Martin, whose name and identity was used for the deception, moved to the USA after the war and settled in Virginia. He died there on December 10, 1988, his ashes scattered over the Gulf Stream so that eventually they would arrive at his country of birth, Scotland.

April 1966 – Swiss company Van Rolls installed Bland’s new cable car. It has a vertical rise between stations of 352 metres, a track length between terminals of 673m and travels at 5m/sec.

April 1967 – The final tunnel to be cut in Gibraltar by the Royal Engineers Tunnelling Troop was completed this month and the company was disbanded in 1968. Sadly towards the end two engineers, Bill Pointon and Harry Calligan, drilled into a pill of powder which had not been fired in the previous shift. Harry was badly injured but Bill died of his injuries. In accordance with RE tradition it was suggested that the tunnel be named Pointon’s Way. Unfortunately that was not accepted and the tunnel became Molesend Way.

 April 1971 - The 'Abolition of Military Service Report' was adopted, effectively ending National Service in Gibraltar... but a long way behind the UK.

 April 1980 - Lisbon Agreement signed; by which Britain and Spain agreed to start negotiations aimed at overcoming all differences between them over Gibraltar. Yet the 1967 air ban imposed by Franco, which Britain said would need to be removed to allow negotiations, remained in place.

 April 1986 - Labour MP Dennis Healey explained to UK TV viewers that; "There are restrictions by the Gibraltarians on the Spaniards using the airport..." and he added that the Navy only came here to maintain the Gibraltarians.  What a ‘silly-billy’ to quote a phrase often used by him.

 April 1987 - When Sir Henry Plumb was elected British President of the European Parliament he categorically discarded the possibility of Gibraltarians being directly represented, other than in an observer capacity. However, if there were a proposal for Gibraltarians to be represented by an MEP from Cadiz… then he would have no objections.  He subsequently refused to meet Sir Joshua Hassan and Joe Bossano officially, since the Spanish right-wing had threatened to leave the European Parliament in a huff if he did so.

 April 1993 - Field Marshal Sir John Chapple became governor. He was a good man who  continued to support Gibraltar after leaving office. He died in 2022. 

 April 2000 - Government of Gibraltar finally admitted that the Anglo-Spanish Agreement, reached without input from Gibraltar, favoured the F&CO y Palacio de Santa Cruz but disadvantaged Gibraltar. Our competent authority appears to have been transferred to the UK.

 April 2000 - A meeting of the HoA, convened to amend some Gibraltar ordinances, determined that acts of treason would no longer attract the death penalty;  in compliance with European Human Rights statutes. However, the death penalty remains in force for the act of Arson in HM Dockyard. This provoked much local comment, eg; "as usual the MoD holds itself above the law of the land... anybody's land."