October:
1 Oct 1859 - The second evening gun was fired at 8.30 pm.
1 Oct 1890 - Water supply
restricted because of shortages. Rain fell 16 days afterwards.
1 Oct 1898 – An Ordinance
was published establishing English currency as legal tender in Gibraltar.
1 Oct 1929 – Saw the opening of the New Markets by H.E. Gen. Sir
A. J. Godley, Governor.
1 Oct 1933 – A serious
fire occurred at Messrs. G Russo’s store in Crutchett’s Ramp.
1 Oct 1936 – (Sp Civ War) General Franco was proclaimed supreme head of
the Burgos Nationalist government and Commander in Chief of the Army &
Navy. (This was
to legitimize his position politically… up to this point he was just leader of
a coup d’etat.)
1 Oct 1940 – General Franz Halder’s staff completed a thorough study for
the assault on Gibraltar in preparation for Operation Felix.
1 Oct 1942 – ‘Two submarines have been reported in the Straits of
Gibraltar. Destroyers and numerous launches are causing turmoil in the Straits
with depth charges, and seaplanes are also patrolling them. There is a convoy of
twenty ships waiting to leave and HMS
Malaya and five destroyers are now at Gibraltar.’ (Evening Star)
1 Oct 1949 – The death occurred of Archbishop Peter Emmanuel Amigo, Gibraltarian
Archbishop of Southwark.
1 Oct 1962 - Gibraltar television first went on the air.
1 Oct 1969 – At 4.30pm today, Spain cut all telephonic and
telegraphic connections to The Rock. At that time around 190 calls were made
each day to the Rock and about 350 a day from the Rock to Spain.
1 Oct 1969 – The 50,000 ton aircraft carrier HMS Eagle and commando ship HMS
Bulwark were among vessels calling here at the end September and beginning
of October. Two Dartmouth Training Squadron ships, HMS Tenby and Torquay, had The Rock in their
programmes and HMS’s Cleopatra, Aurora
and Danae were expected on passage. HMS Diana was taking over as Guard Ship
and RFA Olmeda accompanied HMS Eagle. There was also a NATO visit
by units of the Royal Netherlands Navy. With Eagle’s aircraft carrying out flying training from North Front, the
Royal Navy presence was quite impressive at a significant time for the
population. October the 1st was the date on which the United Nations
had called upon Britain to
terminate the ‘colonial situation’ but a MoD (Navy) spokesman denied that the
Fleet activity had any connection to the dispute with Spain.
Absolutely!
(In 2020, Spanish columnist Antonio Perez Giron also included destroyers
HMS Hampshire, Cavalier, London and Caprice and the submarine HMS
Astute. About 10,000 men deployed… according to Antonio. The British
military presence motivated an informative note from the Spanish ambassador to
the U.N. Jaime de Pinies, addressed to U Thant). Operation Deep Furrow: started with the
accumulation of forces here then moved to an exercise in the E. Mediterranean
and Aegean to impress the USSR
with NATO’s readiness.
1 Oct 1971 – The 1st
Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers started arriving today. 30 families
and 107 individuals arrived as part of the 220 families who will arrive by October
10th. A number of the families have never been abroad before despite
the men having had four emergency tours in Northern Ireland during the last
year.
1 Oct 1982 –
International Direct Dialling (IDD) arrived in Gibraltar,
3 weeks ahead of schedule. Our international code is 350, recognised throughout
the world; except by Spain.
1 Oct 2000 - Launch of the 1st satellite licensed by Gibraltar; GE-1A, a
Ku-band satellite located at 108.2’ East, covering China, NE Asia, Philippines,
S Asia and India, has 28 transponders of 36 Mhz bandwidth for broadcast, broadband
data and VSAT and is operated by
GE Capital Assets (Gibraltar Ltd) and controlled locally from Leanse Place.
1 Oct 2002 – All civilian employees at RAF Gibraltar were sent home
early (3.00pm) today in anticipation of a hot-load, locally believed to be
Tomahawk cruise missiles, arriving on a military transport. The MoD stated that
this was a normal precaution and that no nuclear weapons were arriving, nor
indeed were any nuclear warheads stored on the Rock. Hmm.... so why do they
keep repeating that? The ensuing debacle revealed that in addition to MoD
flights, on occasion Dangerous Air Cargo, which might or might
not contain explosives, was shipped on commercial flights to the Rock on the
MoD’s behalf… but unknown to the passengers.
1st Oct 2003 – The Royal Gibraltar Regiment returned from
Exercise Jebel Sahara aboard a gigantic Boeing C17 Globemaster leased to 99 Squadron.
This is the first time a C17 has landed at the Rock’s famously short runway,
making aviation history. The guys had gone out in 4x C130 Hercules but easily
fitted into the one C17, which left the Rock after unloading.
1st
Oct 2006 – Mark & Jason Walker competed in the RYA 1.8ltr Powerboat Finals
held in Torquay today. The brothers were
already 51 points ahead in the lead when they entered the finals with their
white painted Phantom 19, appropriately named The Rock. In the event,
the final was abandoned because of a force 9 gale; however the boys became the
British National Champions and will be bringing the trophy back to Gibraltar. It will be the first time this particular
trophy has ever left mainland UK.
2 Oct 1888 - The
Gibraltar Lifeboat was christened The Royal Oak. (or was it Royal Arch)
2 Oct 1890 – The combined
bands of the Garrison gave a concert in the Alameda Gardens
attended by between four and five thousand people.
2 Oct 1898 - British
currency became legal tender.
2 Oct 1934 -
Revolutionary rising in Spain
attended by great loss of life, particularly in Asturias. Martial law proclaimed in
Algeciras and La Linea;
telephonic communication with Spain
cut for about a fortnight. Because there was a general strike in Algeciras, visitors to there had to come via Gibraltar.
2 Oct 1935 - Italy declares war on Abyssinia.
2 Oct 1936 – The City Council
published the estimate for the construction of Reservoir No. 9 at a cost of
£10,760.
2 Oct 2006 – Two prisoners escaped from HMP
Moorish castle through a hole in their cell wall. Not only that, but they used
the hole to escape from the prison and then return on several occasions. A
police spokesman said that a number of burglaries have been linked to the
escapes and in fact property obtained in the burglaries had been found in the
cell. The hole in the wall was covered by a poster to avoid detection.
3 Oct 1892 - Arrival of
Spanish Caravels: Nina and Pinta. These were replicas, built by the
Spanish government for the Columbian Naval Review in 1893. The names were
actually nicknames as Spanish vessels of Columbus’
time were traditionally named after saints.
3 Oct 1902 - An Ordinance
was promulgated to amend the Sanitary Order in Council, Gibraltar
1883. It related to the supply of electricity in Gibraltar
by the Sanitary Commissioners.
3 Oct 1906 – SOS became the
international distress signal, replacing the call sign CQD, sometimes explained
as Come Damn Quick.
3 Oct 1935 - Experimental
blackout took place between 9 & 10pm
in connection with combined naval and military exercises. A press communiqué
was subsequently issued by H.E. expressing appreciation of the whole hearted
cooperation rendered by all.
3 Oct 1937 – H.E. the Governor’s Yacht
Maglona won the King George Vth Cup. Governor “Tim” Harington had
previously won in 1934 and the same yacht but in the ownership of the previous
Governor Gen. Sir Alexander Godley, had won the cup in 1931.
3 Oct 1940 – The Armed Merchant Cruiser, (AMC) HMS Laurentic, Captain Eric Paul Vivian, having left Gibraltar in
company with another AMC, HMS Petroclus,
was sailing 300 miles west of Ireland when she was struck by three torpedoes
fired by U-99, Capitan Otto
Kretchmer. Smoke billowed from the stricken ship but she did not sink. Despite
this, boats were lowered and 30 minutes later, with the U-boat on the surface
another torpedo struck her amidships. Although many had taken to the boats, the
remaining crew opened up with their 5.5” guns sending salvo after salvo at U-99 making her withdraw at speed. Laurentic was a former Cunard White Star
Liner of 18,724 tons, but had been equipped with seven aged (1914-18) 5.5 inch
and three 4 inch Anti-aircraft guns on a single mount. She made 20 knots.
However, with a destroyer approaching, Kretchmer took his chance and put
another torpedo into Laurentic’s
stern; she slid stern first below the waves.
3 Oct 1943 – Lord Louis Mountbatten arrived en route to India.
3 Oct 1960 -
Non-contributory retirement pensions commenced.
3 Oct 1962 – Artist
Gustavus Bacarisas was made the first honorary freeman of Gibraltar.
3 Oct 1965 - Old age
pensions commenced.
3 Oct 2006 – Lieutenant
Colonel Arthur John Ferrary died today. On 8th November 1941, aged 17, he
enlisted with the GDF as a gunner, manning the Oerlikons at Napier
Battery. He was commissioned in 1957 in
time to witness the birth of the Gibraltar Regiment on 28th April 1958. Eventually
he was to become CO from 1972 – 75. Many people say he was not only the kindest
of men but a perfect gentleman.
4 Oct 1767 – Today saw the arrival of HM Frigate Montreal
with the body of His late R.H. the Duke of York; 29 minute were guns fired by
the garrison.
4 Oct 1877 – There was a fire at Mr Danino’s Straw Stores, North Front.
4 Oct 1895 – Today saw enactment of ordinance to facilitate supply of
electricity by Government for lighting purposes. The electric light was
displayed for the first time on 22
Apr 1897.
4 Oct 1910 - Sir
Archibald Hunter arrived to assume command of Gibraltar.
This difficult governor was later prematurely removed from office.
4 Oct 1936 – The Ocean
Cup was won by the Yacht Rosalind (R.E. Officers) and the Carrara Trophy
by Yacht Lassie (Col. Brinton).
4 Oct 1941 – Whilst searching for the damaged Silverbelle, the anti-submarine trawler Lady Shirley encountered submarine U-111. The U boat was caught at periscope depth when the Lady Shirley closed and launched depth charges.
Forced to the surface U-111 was
engaged with gunfire until she was abandoned and sunk. Of the U boats 52 crew,
eight were killed including her commander, 44 survived. The Lady Shirley had one crewmember killed
and several injured in the battle. This was the first time POWs were captured
from a U boat operating in the South Atlantic.
4 Oct 1947 - The first
(modern) government lottery draw took place.
4 Oct 1922 - The Executive Council was proclaimed at Commercial Square at 10.00 am. HE the
Governor General Sir H Smith-Dorrien was present.
4 Oct 1971 – Competing for the title Miss Gibraltar at St Michael’s Cave
this year are: Lisette Chipolina 19, bank counter clerk, Miriam Parody 18,
stenographer, Jennifer Tizzard 16, solicitors secretary, Marilyn Hendrick 20,
secretary, Christine Anthony 20, tv announcer, Theresa Gonzalez 21, bank
teller, Carmina McEwen 19, hairdresser, Maricarmen Xerri 21, nurse. Lisette Chipolina won, receiving her crown
from last year’s Miss Gibraltar, Carmen Gomez.
4 Oct 1982 – General Sir William & Lady Jackson left this afternoon
in one of HM ships on H.E.’s retirement as Governor and Commander in Chief.
4 Oct 1979 - Spain
eventually signed the Charter of Human Rights. When the original Declaration
was made in 1948, Spain
was denied the opportunity to sign because of her appalling human rights
record. Throughout the Franco dictatorship, disappearances, executions and
torture were commonplace. So it was only after Franco died and some four
years into the road to democracy that Spain was permitted to sign. Democracy
is still not widely available in Spain, but will no doubt become
more widespread eventually. (2017)
4 Oct 2005 – A 50 year
old building worker from Jerez
plummeted to his death today from one of the top floors of the new Europlaza
building on which he was working. The man fell 24 metres onto the interior
podium after slipping as he accessed scaffolding at the start of the afternoon
shift. The site was closed whilst Police and Safety Officers attempted to
contact the man’s family and commenced their investigations.
4 Oct 2006 – Swiss
engineering company Lombardi has won the contract to design the railway tunnel
between Europe and Africa which is to run
beneath the Strait. A Spanish/Moroccan committee has been considering options
since 1980. If the project goes ahead it will be a close cousin to the
UK/France Eurotunnel running at up to 600 metres below the Strait between
Tarifa and Tangier and be around 40kms long.
5 Oct 1704 - Gibraltar was besieged by 14,000
French & 3000 Spanish troops, commanded by the Marquis of Villadarias. The
siege was raised after six months at a cost to them of 10,000 men. * Many of
the French force (possibly as many as 8000) were in fact Irishmen (wild geese)
in the service of France.
5 Oct 1781 – (Gt. Siege) There
was a mutiny on board HM Cutter Speedwell,
(Lt. John Gibson). Some
of Speedwell's crew intended a mutiny to seize
her and desert with her to the Spanish. However, a Spanish boy, a deserter, who
was on board, informed Gibson, who arrested four ringleaders. The deserters
were then placed in irons on the provost ship. About half the crew were involved
in the planned mutiny in which the mutineers intended killing the officers and
then sailing Speedwell to Algeciras. There the
mutineers intended to sell her, split the proceeds, and proceed individually to
England.
5 Oct 1898 – Today saw the opening of the Hebrew Poor Schools in Bomb House Lane. At
this time the Hebrew community numbered around 1600 with 120 boys and 80 girls.
The building cost 65,000 pesetas; of which the colonial treasury contributed
12,500 and the Anglo-Jewish Association of London gave £200, the balance being
funded by voluntary contributions.
5 Oct 1910 – A revolution in Portugal deposed King Manuel & Queen
Amelia. The Portuguese Royal Family fled to Gibraltar
in the Royal Yacht Amelia and became
guests of Governor Sir Archibald Hunter. The revolt also targeted the clergy
and particularly the Jesuits who were expelled from the country, 51 of whom arrived in Gibraltar in November.
5 Oct 1927 – Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain arrived at Algeciras
and then proceeded to Ceuta
in the battleship Jaime I.
5 Oct 1936 – His Hon. Sir
Kenneth J. Beatty, Chief Justice, returned from leave.
5 Oct 1936 – (Sp. Civ. War) HMS Acasta brought refugees from Cartagena.
5 Oct 1971 - Minister for
Education & Recreation Lloyd Devincenzi, held a reception at the City Hall
for yachtsmen who participated in the Falmouth
to Gibraltar Race. Eric Tarbarly was not present as he was breaking in a new
crew for the Gibraltar to Malta
start today, after his success in the first race.
5 Oct 1983 – A body found at the foot of the rockface by the industrial
area of the Devils Tower Road
was identified as RAF Corporal Paul Sidford, 32. A married man with two young
sons, he had been stationed here with 1102 Marine Craft Unit for the last 18
months.
6 Oct 1852 - Foundation of the St Andrews Presbyterian Church was laid.
6 Oct 1927 – HRH the
Infante Carlos de Borbon y Borbon visited Gibraltar
accompanied by the Governor of Algeciras.
6 Oct 1932 - Strict
measures adopted at La Linea Customs.
6 Oct 1933 – Arrival of H.H. the Khalifa, the Spanish High Commissioner
(Senor Moles) and HE General Gomez, C-in-C of Spanish forces in Morocco, on a
farewell visit to H.E. the Governor and Lady Godley. Senor Moles presented Sir
Alexander Godley with the “Gran Cruz de Merito” of the Spanish Republic.
HH the Khalifa presented the “Gran Encomienda de la Orden Jalifiana” to Sir
Alexander and other presentations were made; Comendadores de Ordinario
to Lt. Co. the Hon. AE Beattie and Mr HJ Norton and Caballeros to Lt.
Cdr. G Clayton and Capt. ER Mahoney.
6 Oct 1934 – Their Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess Christopher of Greece and the Countess Cisterna, who had
arrived from Italy,
proceeded to Tangier.
6 Oct 1934 – A dance held by the crew of HMS Cormorant, in aid of
the Gresford Colliery Disaster Fund, raised £15-7s-7d.
6 Oct 1948 – Governor Sir Kenneth Anderson issued a deportation order
for Gibraltarian Albert Fava, General Secretary of the Gibraltar Confederation
of Labour (GCL), to quit Gibraltar by 8th
October. Although a Gibraltarian, Albert was considered, by the Governor to be
Spanish, so that he could be expelled under Section 18 of the Aliens and
Strangers Order, 1935. Albert was accused of the alleged crime of being a
communist and the most popular leader of his people; 4000 of whom came out on
strike and marched to the Governors office to protest. They were refused a
hearing by the Governor and his decision could not be challenged under law.
(Hassan) Having been thrown out of his own country, on arrival in Britain
Albert was separated from his wife and children and compelled by the British
Government to reside in the Chelsea Workhouse. The root cause of Mr Fava’s
misfortune was the discomfort felt by the Chamber of Commerce at having to face
organised labour… led by him.
6 Oct 1970 - A Census was taken. The published results showed some 3,463
more people living on the Rock than a previous census in 1961. The table
showed: 18,873 Gibraltarians; 2,161 Service Family members; (Servicemen are not
included) other British 3,001; Aliens 2,783; not stated 12; visitors 1,003;
transients 129. All in all: 27, 965 against 24,502 in 1961.
7 Oct 1810 - All
communication with Spain
by land and sea prohibited due to appearance of an unidentified fever at
Cartegena.
7 Oct 1880 - Dr Horatio
Stokes died.
7 Oct 1922 – The first
Royal Broadcast was made by the Prince of Wales on 2LO, a station which was to
be renamed as the BBC some 11 days
later.
7 Oct 1937 – A contingent from The American Battle Monuments Commission
arrived on board the cruiser Raleigh and her commander, Rear Admiral
Arthur Philip Fairfield gave an address on behalf of General Black Jack
Pershing, dedicating the American World War 1 Memorial, at Prince Albert’s
Front, Line Wall. Other speaker included the Governor, the Rear Admiral in
charge at Gibraltar and the American Consul
H.O. Williams. During the unveiling, the band of the Royal Norfolk Regiment
gave renditions of the USA
and UK
national anthems. 61 years later in 1998, a bronze plaque was installed
commemorating the WW 2 Allied invasion of North Africa,
Operation Torch.
7 Oct 1971 – Albert
Hammond and partner Mike Hazelwood are once again in the top twenty, this time
in America, with Freedom Come, Freedom Go with US
partner J. Greenway.
7 Oct 1973 - The first Gibraltarian Bishop of Gibraltar;
Monsignor Edward Rapallo, was appointed.
7 Oct 2002 – The
Grenadier Guards and the Irish Guards can be seen standing guard outside the
Convent, in scarlet tunics and bearskin hats. They are substituting for the Royal Gibraltar Regiment who are away on exercise in Morocco. The Guards were last here
in 1899.
8 Oct 1883 - The Portuguese brigantine Uniao was wrecked off Eastern Beach. She had previously been the
Spanish Quatro Amigos, and had been
seized in 1836 as a slave trader.
8 Oct 1919 – There was a strike of all lighter-men, stevedores,
cranes-men and labourers at Waterport
Wharf.
8 Oct 1936 – (Sp Civ War) Troops occasionally transported from Ceuta to Algeciras
by Nationalist vessels.
8 Oct 1968 – Harold Wilson and Ian Smith; met on board HMS Fearless
for the second Rhodesia (UDI) talks in the Bay of Gibraltar.
8 Oct 1971 – On his last
day attending the UN General Assembly in New York,
the Spanish Foreign Minister Lopez Bravo stated; “We must distinguish
between nationality, which is the only matter in which Gibraltarians
have a voice, and sovereignty, which is a matter which concerns only Great Britain and Spain
and which Spain
will never renounce. We have gone a step forward. Talks will commence at
the beginning of next year when, as was suggested to me by Sir Alec Douglas Home,
we shall ‘think together.’ Our object, I repeat, can of course be nothing less
than sovereignty over Gibraltar”.
8 Oct 2002 – Visit by the
destroyer HMS Cardiff (commissioned 1979) for re-supply. This event was,
apparently, not linked in any way to the arrival of a ‘hot load’ a week ago.
8 Oct 2004 – The type 22 frigate HMS Cumberland (F 85) arrived in
Gibraltar today. Nicknamed the Mighty
Sausage, Cumberland is making a
routine stop after a six month deployment to the Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf.
9 Oct 1704 – First unsuccessful attempt by Spain to recover the Rock from the
English
9 Oct 1780 - (Great
Siege) Queen’s lines completed.
9 Oct 1838 – Col. HRH Prince George of Cambridge arrived.
9 Oct 1933 - The departure of H.E. and Lady Godley on board the Union
Castle liner Llamdaff Castle, which was conveying them en route to
Palestine and was dressed overall. Sir Alexander and Lady Godley had endeared
themselves to the whole community and their departure was genuinely regretted.
The Chamber of Commerce presented a silver salver to Sir Alexander. Both H.E.
and Lady Godley received many proofs of esteem. During his governorship most
cordial relations existed between the Spanish and Gibraltar
authorities.
9 Oct 1936 – (Sp Civ War) HMS
Ancasta (HO 9) an A Class destroyer built at John Brown & Co. and
launched in 1929, brought refugees from Malaga.
During the early months of the Civil War (36-39) she spent considerable time in
Spanish waters enforcing the arms blockade – imposed by Britain and France – on both sides and
recovering refugees. On 8 June 1940, whilst escorting the Aircraft Carrier Glorious, en route from Norway back to Scapa Flow,
she was sunk by German battleships Scharnhorst
and Gneisenau, but not before
damaging the Scharnhorst with a
torpedo attack, which flooded and disabled her starboard engine room.
9 Oct 1936 – Mr W.L.
Johnson was recognized as the USA
vice Consul; he relieved Mr J.F. Codoner.
9 Oct 1940 – The first
contingent of evacuees from the Rock left for Jamaica. The UK government
seized the opportunity of wartime to distribute Yanitos as widely as possible,
with the deliberate intention of breaking up this community. (It would be
churlish to even suggest that perhaps HMG hoped that German submarines might
help solve their problem.)
9 Oct 1964 - Quote from ‘The Times’: The composition of the United
Nations Committee of 24 on Colonialism is such that there is a built-in
majority against anything that smacks of colonialism and at the same
time a reluctance to apply principles of self-determination to cases where the
people of a territory are on good terms with the administering power, such as
in the Falklands and Gibraltar… please refer to 19th October.
9 Oct 1971 – This Saturday afternoon, a Hawker Hunter FGA9 jet fighter, Reg.
XG 156 of 229 OCU, crashed near Bland’s slipway, whilst landing at North Front.
The pilot Don Marshall was attempting to bring the aircraft back to base with
one leg retracted rather than ditch in the sea. (He had previous experience of
ditching in Hong Kong harbour) The aircraft
ran off the runway hitting a concrete bollard near the end, which, striking the
aircraft’s underside, fired the ejection seat. The pilot was already
un-strapped ready to leave the aircraft and the cause of death was severe head
injuries sustained by hitting the sea wall.
Don was buried in England.
The aircraft was beyond repair and eventually scrapped at Gibraltar
in Nov. 1974.
9 Oct 2006 – At a
ceremony to commemorate the completion of the sub-structure for their new
building in John Mackintosh Sq. Gibtelecom CEO Tim Bristow buried a
time-capsule. The capsule contained the current telephone directory, the recent
tripartite communiqué embracing recognition of the ITU code 350, various
company press releases, an employee handbook, a telephone handset, some fibre
optic cable, a GSM mobile ‘phone and an ADSL modem. The building is expected to
be completed in 18 months time and the time capsule… well who knows when that
might be opened?
9 Oct 2006 – If the airport agreement is to take off, one of the major
works to be undertaken will be a two lane road carrying traffic from the area
of the loop, across the runway at the Eastern end in a tunnel and delivering it
to somewhere along the Devils Tower Road.
Almost certainly, DTR will have to become four lanes, probably by
banning all parking there altogether.
10 Oct 1782 - (Gt Siege) During a severe gale (night of 10-11th)
the Spanish man-o-war San Miguel (72 guns) commanded by Brigadier Don
Juan de Moreno
was stranded on a sand bank off Orange Bastion where she was seized. 650
prisoners including three officers were taken to Windmill Hill. The ship was
repaired, re-commissioned as HMS San
Miguel then sent to England on 22ndMar 1783.
10 Oct 1823 - Arrival of
the first steam propelled vessel, the packet Royal George.
10 Oct 1876 - Lord Napier
of Magdala was sworn in as governor.
10 Oct 1918 – The original pitched roof of the Exchange Building
(now Gibraltar Parliament) was destroyed by fire and was subsequently replaced
with the flat roof and balustrade we see today.
10 Oct 1919 – The Gibraltar Needlework Guild was initiated by Lady
Smith-Dorrien.
10 Oct 1933 – Brigadier
the Hon. D.K. King took command of the administration during H.E. Sir AJ
Godley’s absence.
10 Oct 1983 – Spanish
Foreign Minister Sr Fernando Moran today confirmed that Spanish authorities did
in fact stop an Argentine sabotage team from attacking RN Ships and fuel and
ammunition depots in Gibraltar, one year ago,
during the Falklands War. Sr Moran confirmed that after being detained in San
Roque, the four man commando team were deported. Speaking in an interview on Spanish National
Radio, Chief Minister Sir Joshua Hassan described the action as that of a
friendly country and alluded to a common aim in combating terrorism, although
he made the point that the attack would not have succeeded as the Rock is well
defended. Nor was it mentioned that assistance had been provided to the
commando team by CESID, the Spanish secret service.
10 Oct 2008 - The bulk carrier MV Fedra ran
aground on rocksat Europa Point, and broke in two. Three of the crew
were lifted off by a Salvamento Maritimo Sea King helicopter, which in the
process ingested sea spray into its engines and had to make an emergency
landing on Europa Point cricket pitch. The remaining 27 crew were safely
rescued, by a steel basket suspended from a Euro Gruas crane on the cliffs
above but some of the fuel oil escaped in the very bad weather. The Captain was
later arrested. Titan and Steel Mac organised the crane and executed the
rescue. Everyone got medals for an exceptional rescue; everyone except the
crane driver who did the actual rescuing. He was a young man from La Linea who remains
anonymous.
11 Oct 1780 –
(Gt. Siege) A Danish Dogger merchantman, outward bound from Malaga as part of a Dutch convoy found
herself becalmed close to Europa Point. The Gibraltar squadron was out in the
bay awaiting two supply vessels from Minorca
and persuaded the Dutch captain - by means of an armed boarding party – to
enter the harbour. His valuable cargo of citrus fruit was immediately purchased
by the Governor, and the oranges and lemons issued to those most severely
suffering from scurvy.
11 Oct 1782 – (Gt. Siege) Lord Howe’s fleet to relieve Gibraltar
entered the Strait and about 5pm arrived in the Bay.
11 Oct 1803 - The Governor
closed communication with Spain.
11 Oct 1805 – The Royal Navy issued an order to end the practice of
observing the Nautical Day. Until this
date the Navy observed three types of day; Nautical,
Civil (or natural) and Astronomical.
The Nautical day started at midday and ran until the following midday, so for
example, the 5th June nautical day started at 12 noon on the 4th
and ended at 12 noon on the 5th. (ie. pm coming before am… midnight
in the middle of the day.) This order was not received by Nelson’s fleet until
after Trafalgar.
11 Oct 1899 - As Orient
liner Cuzco
entered harbour it collided with the battleship HMS Anson, no lives were
lost.
11/12 Oct 1905 - HM Repair ship Assistance was stranded at Cape Negron,
near Tetuan, in an easterly gale. She was re-floated on 15th
November and brought to Gibraltar the
following 17th November in tow of HMS Magnificent, with salvage steamers
Rescue, (Bland Line), Em. Z. Svitzer, Berger Wilhelm and Newa.
11 Oct 1936 – A memorial
tablet to the memory of the late Canon R Shiers Mason was installed at Holy
Trinity Cathedral.
11 Oct 1943 – Spaniard Martin Munoz was tried and found guilty of
causing an explosion in the coaling island fuel store. He was sentenced to
death and executed on 11 January 1944.
11 Oct 1966 - UK
proposal to submit legal aspects of The Gibraltar Problem to an International Court….
we aren’t a problem except to Spain…
and perhaps the F&CO.
11 Oct 1971 – Mother Mary Francis, founder of the Order of Franciscan
Missionaries is spending a fortnight’s holiday on the Rock with her sisters at Mt. Alvernia,
the home she helped design and build. She founded the order in 1935 and
recently retired as Mother General.
11 Oct 1971- The Chronicle reports: The Spanish government have decided
to demolish the old Custom House at La
Linea. Minister for information Sr. Alfredo Sanchez
Bella says once the Custom House is pulled down, there will be no provision for
a land-route to the Rock even if the blockade were suddenly lifted.
12 Oct 1779 - (Gt Siege) The platform at the Northern summit (Rock Gun) was
completed
12 Oct 1836 - Sir Alexander Woodford was sworn in as Governor.
12 Oct 1899 – The RMS Cuzco 3,898
tons, homeward bound from Australia
collided with the British ironclad HMS
Anson, 10,600 tons, which was at anchor in the Bay. The Governor ordered a
Marine Court for the following day, where it was determined that the Cuzco’s master had committed an error of
judgement, that did not amount to negligence, in allowing his ship to get out
of control when in the proximity of HMS Anson. (He had allowed insufficient
regard for the set of the tide.) Cuzco has been detained for repair at Gibraltar.
12 Oct 1917 – ‘Our Day’ in aid of the Red Cross with a memorial service
held at St Mary the Crowned. £5,011-9-2 was, collected by sellers of flags,
flowers, etc. of which £4,045-2-8 was collected by the exchange committee.
12 Oct 1929 – The Upper
Galleries ceased to be military property and were handed over to the Colonial
Authorities.
12 Oct 1933 – At a City Council meeting it was decided to request the
public ‘to exercise the greatest economy in the use of potable water owing to
the absence of rain.’
12 Oct 1934 – The King has been pleased to recognize Snr. Don Ernest Guetta
as Vice-Consul for Uruguay.
12 Oct 1935 - Mr J Discombe JP Registrar Supreme Court retired after 43
years service in Gibraltar. He was succeeded
by Mr C Mansell-Reece who was appointed on the 22nd Oct.
12 Oct 1971 – The Consumer Association is greatly concerned about the
number of complaints received from members as regards increases in prices for
foodstuffs and household necessities. It has been noticed for example, that
corned beef has risen from 24 to 33p; large detergent from 32 ½ to 37 ½ p;
strawberry jam from 17 ½ to 22p; minced meat from 32 to 36p per pound and fish
fingers from 21 to 26p. (In fact, one of the reasons for this had been
decimalisation – occurring simultaneously in Gibraltar and the UK – which
allowed profiteering amongst some suppliers, often the same suppliers who put
their prices up by four times overnight when the border closed.)
12 Oct 2002 – The 105th Scottish & Ulster Regiment Royal
Artillery (Volunteers) have just spent a month on the Rock training in various
pursuits. Whilst here they have refurbished the 9.2” gun at O’Hara’s, which was
in a despicable state. They have de-scaled, primed and painted inside and out
(using 100 litres of battleship grey), enabled the breech mechanism to move
again and polished and bulled every bit of brightwork. Good for them.
12 Oct 2004 – The Gibraltar Postal Service introduced the e-bluey
internet service. For just 40p a customer can log onto the Superletter website
or use a scanner installed at the Main PO and their electronic letter will be
printed, enveloped and delivered in the destination country, within 24 hours.
13 Oct 1807 - Letters to Spain
need official approval.
13 Oct 1810 - (Pen. War)
Blayney’s foolhardy attempt on Fuengirola resulted in him being captured by
Polish soldiers and lead by a forced march to, and imprisonment in, France.
13 Oct 1821 - The Governor closed communication with Spain.
13 Oct 1893 - Sir Robert
Biddulph was sworn in as Governor.
13 Oct 1934 – The Rev. Dr. W.H. Jack D.D. took up his duties as the minister
at St Andrews (Scots) Church.
13 Oct 1936 – The City
Council published estimates for the erection of a new Fire Brigade Station at a
cost of £7,800.
13 Oct 1936 – Brigadier
H.P. Currey succeeds Brig. W.T. Brooks as A.A and Q.M.G.
13 Oct 1936 – (Sp.Civ.War) Two carabineers, arrived from Estepona, and were
interned.
13 Oct 1941 – A Bristol Bombay, L5834, crashed at North Front when the
engine failed on overshoot, swung and undercarriage collapsed. The aircraft was
written off as damaged beyond repair.
14 Oct 1814 - Sir George Don arrived to assume command as Lt. Governor
having previously been Governor of Jersey, Channel Isles.
14 Oct 1838 – Today saw
the arrival of Queen Adelaide from England for official functions
including the consecration of the Holy Trinity Cathedral. She took up residence
at the Convent. Whilst out riding in the corkwoods she was received at the
Spanish Lines by an escort of Lancers commanded by H.E. General Iriarte,
Governor of Algeciras.
14 Oct 1933 – News published that H.M. the King had been pleased to
confer the title of Royal on the Gibraltar Yacht Club. The RGYC was founded by
Royal Navy officers and the first mention of a meeting of the club appeared in the Gibraltar Chronicle of 15 July 1829. 'The members of the Gibraltar Yacht Club will hold a meeting at Griffiths Hotel on Friday 17th instant at 1 o'clock pm when any officers of the Garrison wishing to join the club are requested to attaend. Griffiths Hotel was on Commercial Square; John Mac Square today.
14 Oct 1935 – The Crown
Prince of Egypt landed from the P&O Strathaird to visit places of
interest.
15 Oct 1892 – Today saw the arrival of an Italian squadron.
15 Oct 1914 – Two ladies fell into the sea from the Mole; the night was
dark and the mole 12’ above their heads.
L/Cpl AE Harris and Private AJ Spencer both of the 2nd R
Berkshire Regiment, immediately plunged in and caught them and lifebuoys being
got, they were pulled out. Both men received RHS medals. Case No 41255.
15 Oct 1927 – Saw the departure of the Right Reverend HG Thompson OSB,
the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar.
15 Oct 1934 – The Time-Ball at Windmill Hill was abolished.
15 Oct 1936 – H.E. the Governor presented St John Ambulance Association
certificates.
15 Oct 1956 – Two Shackleton Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft WL 738 and
WL 740 of 204 Squadron were despatched from Ballykelly to cover H.R.H. Duke of Edinburgh’s trip from Gibraltar to Kano, Nigeria.
Although robust and long-legged, Shackletons had difficulty keeping up with the
modern passenger aircraft of the day.
15 Oct 1982 – A questioner in the HoA asked whether the government could
locate sections of the old fountain in John Mac Square. Minister for Public
Works, Maurice Featherstone replied that his department had the main bowl and
three parts of the octagonal bowl but the upper small bowls and the and the ornate
centre sculptured column were destroyed by bomb damage during the war, whilst
stored at Victoria Battery.
15 Oct 2006 – The Guardia
Civil celebrated our new found accord by flying a helicopter down the
middle of our runway at around 2ooo feet at ten to midnight today. There’s no
point in my writing to the Governor about it, it will only cause a row when he
pretends it didn’t happen… again.
16 Oct 1904 – Today saw the mobilization of the entire garrison.
16 Oct 1928 – The arrival of Sir Alexander J Godley, accompanied by Lady
Godley, to assume duties of Governor. He was sworn into office the same day.
16 Oct 1932 - Three
attempted suicides, two proving fatal, in a week.
16 Oct 1933 – The death
occurred of Mr MG Corsi, MBE, JP, Consul for Uruguay.
16 Oct 1934 – The death
occurred of Mr Richard L. Sprague, Consul for the United
States of America, at Gibraltar.
The funeral took place the following day and was attended by H.E. the Governor
Gen. Sir C.H. Harington.
16 Oct 1964 – Saw the first UN Committee of 24 consensus on Gibraltar.
16 Oct 1971 –
Nancy Vaughan reports: The new Kaycee shop is to open at 29 Main Street previously that famous
landmark the Gallo Bar.
17 Oct 1777 – British
commander Gene Burgoyne surrendered to Gen. Horatio Gates at the Battle of
Saratoga; a great victory for the American colonists.
17 Oct 1838 - Consecration
of the Garrison Church (Cathedral of The Holy Trinity) by Rev Dr. Burrow,
attended by HM Queen Adelaide.
17 Oct 1933 – Vice Admiral Sir AP Addison, Director of Dockyards at the
Admiralty, arrived to carry out an inspection of the dockyard.
17 Oct 1936 – H.E. the
Governor, accompanied by Lady Harington, presented cups at the Royal Gibraltar
Yacht Club.
17 Oct 1961 – Bishop Healy regained the fragment of the mosque (magazine/guardroom) at Europa, back from the military. It was of course The Shrine of
Our Lady of Europe, which was eventually to be consecrated by Bishop Rapallo on
5th October 1980.
17 Oct 1971 – The Chronicle reports: A man looking through binoculars
saw something strange in the branches of a tree below Apes Den. He phoned the
Police who found it to be the body of a man. Below, inside an overturned Honda
convertible, was that of another. Adding to the danger the car was on a steep
incline directly above the Rock Hotel. With the help of the searchlights of HMS
Grenville in the harbour, Police and CFB
extricated the body from the car. The men were Corporal Norman Robinson 28 and
L/Corp Leslie Keeler 22 from 1st Fortress Squadron R.E.
17 Oct 1982 – The first mass was celebrated in the new St Paul’s Church, Varyl Begg, by the Parish
Priest the Rev George McGrail. The service enjoyed the active participation of
the children and teachers of St Paul’s First School
and was attended by the estate’s oldest resident Mrs Paulina Charvetto, whose
99th birthday was the next day.
18 Oct 1838 - Queen Adelaide departed in HMS Hastings. Before leaving, H.M. donated £100 for charitable
purposes.
18 Oct 1851 - The following notice was published. “$100 Reward;
Whereas in the month of December 1848, the body of John Langley was found dead
in St Michael’s Cave, the above reward will be paid to any person or persons
who shall give such information to the Police Magistrate as may lead to the
conviction of any person or persons who concerned in or privy to the
death of the said John Langley.” Subsequent enquiries led to the arrest of
and charge against John McGuinnis, however, there was only presumptive evidence
against him and he was discharged, on his own recognizance, on the 23rd
February 1852.
18 Oct 1877 - Mr Robert Ffrench Sheriff appointed as Attorney General.
18 Oct 1898 – The death occurred of the Rt Rev Dr Gonzalo Canilla, RC
Vicar Apostolic to Gibraltar. Rev. Canilla was
remembered for supporting workers rights during disputes, for his good work for
the Jews and the poor and particularly for his contribution to education on the
Rock.
18 Oct 1898 - First of 8,628 blocks of concrete for the detached mole
was laid. The last block was laid at the North head on the 20th March 1901, by
the Duke of York, future King George Vth.
18 Oct 1919 - Golden
Jubilee of service at the Garrison Library by Mr William Miles, Manager and
Sub-Editor Gibraltar Chronicle
18 Oct 1929 – A Diamond Jubilee was held for the service at the Garrison
Library by Mr William Miles, Manager and Sub-Editor of the Gibraltar Chronicle.
18 Oct 1936 – (Sp Civ War) The first bull fight in Spain to take place since the military rising
was held in Seville
today.
18 Oct 1940 – Two Sunderland flying boats of 202 Squadron, North Front,
spotted the Italian submarine Durbo,
120 miles east of The Rock off Alboran
Island. Two destroyers HMS Firedrake and HMS Whistler attacked Durbo
with depth charges forcing her to the surface, where she was then scuttled.
British sailors managed to capture information regarding Italian submarine
dispositions before she sank. Durbo’s
crew of 48 were taken prisoner.
18 Oct 2002 – The Chief
Minister today visited the Glass Factory to strike a glass medallion
commemorating the November 7th referendum. The medallion reads; “Gibraltarian we are,
British we stay” and bears the Gibraltar flag.
19 Oct 1781 – The American War of Independence came to an end when Lord
Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington at Yorktown, Virginia.
19 Oct 1875 – HRH Arthur,
Duke of Connaught, joined the garrison and was offered the use of Mr Pablo
Larios’ house (now the City Hall) for the duration of his stay.
19 Oct 1906 - The Royal
Naval Canteen was opened.
19 Oct 1936 – Today saw
thunderstorms with heavy drops of rain and hailstones.
19 Oct 1936 – The death
occurred of Mrs B. Canessa.
19 Oct 1941 – U-204 was depth charged in the Strait of Gibraltar
by the sloop HMS Rochester and the corvette HMS Mallow.
19 Oct 1964 - The verdict of the UN Committee of 24 read: "The Special Committee, after
considering the situation in the non self-governing territory of Gibraltar and
hearing the statements of the administering power and Spain, and by the
petitioners from the territory and Spain, affirms that the provisions of the
declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries are
fully applicable to the territory of Gibraltar."
19 Oct 2002 – Some 43 taxi
drivers were arrested by the Police following the introduction of new port
rules which the Taxi Association opposed. The rules insisted that the point of
entry would be the evacuation roundabout whenever a cruise ship is in port.
Initially a barrier was set up there manned by senior port staff (other staff
supported the taxistas) and a Police cordon was set up. The taxi drivers decided to break through the
barriers and move to the usual security control by the Port Office. That’s when
the mass arrests started. The Captain of the port Jimmy Ferro insisted on his
authority within the port and Fabian Picardo represented the Taxi Association
at a meeting which ended without agreement. The jailed taxi drivers were bailed
out in the afternoon.
20 Oct 1714 – George 1st
was crowned following the death of Queen Anne. This brought to an end the
Stuart Dynasty and started a Kraut (sorry, Hanoverian) one.
20 Oct 1898 - The funeral
took place of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Gonzalo Canilla, Vicar Apostolic, who had died
suddenly on 18th October. He was interred in the Lourdes Chapel at
the Cathedral after the cortege passed through Main St, Irish Town etc, where large
crowds attended. The Governor attended the funeral. Rt. Rev. Dr Bellord
succeeded Dr Canilla on 26th
May 1899.
20 Oct 1874 – The 52nd Light Infantry departed today.
20 Oct 1882 – Two gunners
from the Royal Artillery were presented with RHS Bronze Medals for saving life.
Gunner J Bailey, Case No 21879 at Gibraltar
and Gunner M Barrett, Case No 21899 at Europa Point.
20 Oct 1916 – (WW1) A list
of Gibraltarians serving at the front was published.
20 Oct 1917 – Today saw the arrival of the USS Barry from the Philippines via the Suez
Canal. She escorted merchantmen in the med until August 1918 when
she left for Charlestown.
She was decommissioned in June 1919 and sold out of the service in January
1920.
20 Oct 1934 – The death
occurred at Malta of Colonel John L. Francia, M.V.O.
20 Oct 1942 – Italian P-108 bombers conduct an overnight attack on Gibraltar.
20 Oct 2002 – Residents of Tankerville House received a sharp shock this
morning around 9.00 am when a bolt of lightning hit the building. A couple on
the fifth floor saw the strike enter via their window and explode against a
television set. They were badly shaken.
21 Oct 1803 - A Genoese and a Portuguese were whipped through the streets
of the garrison and then sent to the Castle for concealing tobacco at the back
of The Rock.
21 Oct 1805 - The Battle of Trafalgar took place in which the combined
fleets of France and Spain were
handsomely beaten by Lord Nelson’s fleet at a cost of some 15,000 dead and
injured, on our side, and the loss of Lord Nelson. The enemy lost countless
thousands. Many of the corpses from both sides would have washed ashore around Cape Spartel;
rich pickings for the Moors.
21 Oct 1824 – Portland cement was patented by Joseph Aspdin of Wakefield, Yorkshire. However,
lime mortar continued in use at Gibraltar and
elsewhere for a century or more.
21 Oct 1859 - Arrival of 3,800 Hebrew refugees from Barbary fleeing from
the impending war between Spain
and Morocco.
Tents were erected at North Front for use by the poorer classes. Over 40,600
dollars was raised by public subscription. Interestingly, the same area was
used for the same purpose 100 years later, when a large number of Jews left North Africa following the foundation of the State of
Israel. Jewish refugees were accommodated here before their onward journey to Israel.
21 Oct 1873 – A Spanish squadron comprising the Almansa, Vitoria, Navas de Tolosa, Cuidad de Cadiz, Carmen
and Zaragoza under Admiral Chicarro made
sail for Cartegena. Some officers had been superseded, resigned and landed by
Admiral Lobo.
21 Oct 1903 - During excavations for the Admiralty Magazine a large cave
was found.
21 Oct 1917 – The death occurred of Rev Bro. FG Sheridan, first
Christian Brother to die at Gibraltar since
their installation 40 years before.
21 Oct 1929 – A visit
(from 21st to 23rd) by Rt Hon Thomas Shaw, Secretary of State for War
accompanied by Mr Ammon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty.
21 Oct 1934 – The arrival of the 2nd Battalion, the Gordon
Highlanders on board H.T. Somerset who landed on the 22nd,
when the 2nd Battalion the Royal Welch Fusiliers departed. Thousands
of people attended.
21 Oct 1936 – (Sp Civ War) HM Ships Gallant & Grafton brought
refugees from Malaga and Cartagena.
21 Oct 1940 – Italian submarine Scire
departed La Spezia, Italy,
with three manned torpedoes on board for Gibraltar.
Her first attack was mounted a week later.
21 Oct 1949 – A Martin B.26 Marauder, of the Armee de L’Air (French Air
Force) performing a flight Rabat to Istres,
crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off Gibraltar.
Five crew and twelve passengers were killed.
21 Oct 1969 – The SS
Uganda, engaged in an educational cruise with some 900 schoolchildren on
board, was sailing in international waters off Cape
Trafalgar when a Spanish shore battery opened fire on her. No hits
were recorded but a number of shells landed within ½ nautical mile. Thankfully,
poor artillery training in Spain
saved the day. (It is ironic that most Spanish coast defence guns were generally British
– Vickers & Armstrong Whitworth.)
21 Oct 1971 – Revised statutory minimum wages for shop assistants &
other workers in the retail and distributive trades: Males aged 15: £5.85, 16:
£6.30, 17: £6.80, 18: £8.80, 19: £9.50, 20 or over: £10.95. Females aged 15: £5.30, 16:£5.70, 17:£6.10,
18: £7.90, 19:£8.60, 20 or over:£9.85. The rates become effective on Monday the
1st November.
21 Oct 2004 – For the first time ever, a Turbot, weighing 1.75 Kilos, was
caught off Detached Mole during the annual fishing club competition. (Guy
Olivero)
22 Oct 1781 (Gt. Siege) British gunners made a special effort to
demolish a newly constructed battery opposite the Water Port Gate. The attempt
was abandoned after 2000 round shot and explosive shells had been fired without
achieving very much damage.
22 Oct 1842 – Lt. Gen. Sir Alex Woodford laid the foundation stone of Prince Albert’s Front. (ie.
below what is now the Catholic Community Centre)
22 Oct 1842 - Arrival of HMS Owen Glen Dwr, from Chatham with 200 convicts
on board who are to be employed in construction of new breakwater and other
such hard labour as might be required.
22 Oct 1852 – The Chronicle reports that a deplorable accident took
place on the 18th instant at the saluting battery, about half past four in the afternoon, when a
gun practice with red hot shot was carried out. A 32pdr cannon, 9’6” long and
weighing 56cwt, was charged with 10lbs of powder, a dry wad, then a wet one,
and a 32lb iron hot shot, when the gun misfired. It was re-primed and fired by percussion
hammer and tube. On the charge being ignited the gun burst, shattering the
carriage to atoms, the splinters of which knocked down six of the unfortunate
gun detachment on the spot. Two were dreadfully wounded (William Burnett & William
Hitchen) and a third (Henry Bales) very seriously. Colonel Dansey, standing
nearby, was struck by particles of the gun metal and splinters on his legs and
thighs; his clothes and boots completely perforated. The gun metal parted into
a dozen pieces; four immense masses of several hundredweight each were hurled nearly
100 feet into the air and carried a distance of nearly 300 yards from the gun
platform. The breech, thrown to the rear across the battery, killed an ass on
which a little boy (miraculously unhurt) was mounted.
22 Oct 1871 – A severe storm hit The Rock, tearing the roofs off a
number of houses in town and many public lamps were damaged, the streets being
strewn with tiles and chimney pots. A great deal of destruction was visited on
trees and shrubs in the south district. The force of the wind was not felt at Catalan Bay but the sea suddenly rolled up in
one huge wave, right up to the doors of the houses and then receded almost
immediately.
22 Oct 1873 – The arrival of the French steamer SS Poitou with
cholera on board.
22 Oct 1899 – Gibraltarian Ann Rodriguez committed suicide by throwing
herself from the terrace of a house in Prince Edward’s Road, a fall of 42 feet.
Her daughter told the Police that Ann had suffered from stomach pains for a
long time and had threatened to throw herself from the terrace some day. The
Jury’s verdict was suicide whilst of unsound mind.
22 Oct 1903 – During the progress of Admiralty tunnelling works on the
west side of the Rock, a large cave was discovered. The caverns run in various
directions and at the lower end was ‘large lodgement of water, at one point 30
feet deep. The water was clear but saltish.’
22 Oct 1918 – There were over 100 deaths in Gibraltar
from Spanish influenza.
22 Oct 1930 – Mr James
Andrews-Speed OBE, JP, appointed as unofficial member of Executive Council.
22 Oct 1936 – The enactment of Ordinance No.1/1936: ie. Annual
Supplement to Gibraltar Laws, took place.
22 Oct 1964 – A collision occurred in the Strait between the Liberian
tanker Altanin and the Dutch vessel Naess Commander, in which a Chinese
crewman of the Altanin was crushed to
death when the Dutch ship ran into her. The Altanin
was then brought to Gibraltar where her cargo
of 8,000 tons of highly inflammable light crude oil was transhipped into two
other tankers; Alnea and Castella. The Altanin eventually left Gibraltar on the 18th November,
under tow for Hamburg by the German tugs Pacific and Atlantic.
23 Oct 1801 – A general salute commemorated the evacuation of Egypt by French
troops.
23 Oct 1899 – A spectacular military pageant took place on the occasion
of the departure of the Brigade of Guards.
23 Oct 1933 - Arrival of
Rt Hon J Chamberlain Sec-State for Colonies, on a two day visit.
23 Oct 1940 - Franco met Hitler in a railway car at Hendaye. Hitler is
later reputed to have said that; ‘sooner than meet Franco again, he would
rather have his back teeth drawn.’
23 Oct 1805 - (Approx)
Arrival of HMS Netley, a 14 gun double ended schooner of unique design.
Whilst escorting a fleet of 15 merchantmen to UK, in company of HMS Barbados,
Netley encountered Villeneuve's fleet (before Trafalgar) and escaped but
lost her convoy. She arrived in Gibraltar
having missed Trafalgar by two days. Her Samuel Bentham design included little
or no sheer, large beam to length ratio, structural bulkheads and sliding
keels. This oddity launched in 1798 had a remarkably successful career against
privateers and ended her life as a fireship at Basse Terre Roads, Guadeloupe, in May 1809. (She was also the original of
Patrick O’Brian’s fictional HMS
Polychrest).
23 Oct 1936 – (Sp Civ War) The Italian steamer Esquilino brought refugees from Barcelona
who then proceeded to Seville.
23 Oct 2001 – A British
family were rescued from their beds aboard their blazing £2M charter yacht,
near Gibraltar, today. Police smashed into the
boat and pulled out Simon & Merete Gulliford of Hitchin, Herts, their
children Grace (11) and Frederick (8) as well as Mr Gulliford’s brother
Jonathon, Mrs Gulliford’s sister Karen Earp, the yacht skipper, stewardess and
cook. The boat subsequently sank.
24 Oct 1805 - Publication of the despatch giving account of the Battle
of Trafalgar. Lord Nelson's last words to Surgeon Beatty, whilst he was
expiring in his hands, were "I could have wished to have lived to enjoy
this; but God's will be done." "My Lord" exclaimed Captain
Hardy, "You die in the midst of triumph." "Do I, Hardy," he
smiled faintly, "God be praised."
These were his last words before he expired. N. B. Several other
versions of Nelson's last words have been published by reputable sources. The
most common is "Thank God I have done my duty."
24 Oct 1899 – The newspaper was El Cepillo first published.
24 Oct 1921 – H.E. General
Sir H Smith-Dorrien paid an official call on the Governor of Algeciras, on the
occasion of the birthday of HM the Queen of Spain.
24 Oct 1930 – For reasons of economy, the publication in the Official
Gazette of Draft and Enacted Ordinances was discontinued. Henceforth, copies
are to be posted at the Colonial Secretary’s office, the Police Station and the
Supreme Court.
24 Oct 1931 – Today saw the re-appointment of Hon. J.J. Russo and the
Hon. WH Smith as unofficial members of the Executive Council.
24 Oct 1933 - Arrival of new Governor Sir Charles Harington, accompanied
by Lady Harington. He was sworn in the same day.
24 Oct 1934 – Gibraltar
Society’s visit to St Michael’s cave was illuminated by electric light
24 Oct 1983 – Cambio-16 (issue 621) revealed the information that Spain had
planned to invade the Rock in Oct 1956. After mining the harbour, Gibraltar was to be invaded by marines, legionnaires and
special commandos. “The airport control tower was to have been blown up and Gibraltar would then have been isolated by sea and air,
whilst the town would be destroyed by guns from across the bay. Naval units and
air force would come in as needed.” The plan Munoz Grandes was needed to force Britain
into negotiating an honourable solution to the Gibraltar
problem.
25 Oct 1769 – A vivid
aurora arch was observed (east to west) from UK
and Gibraltar.
25 Oct 1830 - Opening of Supreme Court, new Charter of Justice and new
Chief Justice proclaimed.
25 Oct 1916 - Our Day
collection in aid of the British Red Cross raised £3,278-1-5d which was
forwarded to the Society in UK,
of which some £2500-1-9d was raised by subscription by the Exchange Committee.
25 Oct 1919 - Coal Heavers strike which lasted until 24th November. Moors
were brought in from Tangier for two days. (This was the terminology of the
day; nowadays we would say Moroccans).
25 Oct 1927 – Today the new Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar,
Rt. Rev. Dr. RJ Fitzgerald, DD arrived.
25 Oct 1932 – This was the golden jubilee of the Gibraltar Chamber of
Commerce.
25 Oct 1933 – The Hon. James Andrews Speed was re-appointed as an
unofficial member of the Executive Council.
25 Oct 1934 – The Hon.
J.J. Russo and the Hon. W.H. Smith were re-appointed to the Executive Council
for one year.
25 Oct 1935 – Messrs G
Gaggero and HJ King were appointed as unofficial members of the Executive
Council vice Messrs JJ Russo and WH Smith.
25 Oct 1988 - RAF Gibraltar; Commodore Lovett announced that Spanish air
traffic controllers would soon be working alongside their British counterparts
at the control tower in North Front…. Still hasn’t happened.
26 Oct 1865 – A Te Deum was said in all churches for cessation of
Cholera Epidemic.
26 Oct 1882 – The principal merchants of Gibraltar
founded the Chamber of Commerce.
26 Oct 1890 – Sergeant John Bettany, South Staffordshire Regiment, at
great personal risk rescued Private William Mulliner from drowning and subsequently
received the RHS Bronze Medal. Case No 25216.
26 Oct 1907 – The Territorial Army (the British Volunteer Force) was
founded by Sec of State for War, Richard Haldane.
26 Oct 1914 - First American steamer since 1897, the SS Kroonland
arrived in Gibraltar. Built in 1902, she was
operated by IMM’s Red Star Line. On arrival at Gibraltar she was detained and
part of her cargo confiscated amidst diplomatic wrangling between the UK and the then neutral USA. Kroonland was
celebrated in October 1913 for the mid Atlantic rescue of 89 passengers from
the Royal Line ship Volturno, on fire in a gale. All told, 520
passengers were saved and 136 died.
26 Oct 1921 - Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce was established.
26 Oct 1936 – (Sp Civ War) The G Class destroyer HMS Gipsy (H63) brought
refugees from Cartegena.
26 Oct 1971 – The Psychiatric
unit KGV opened.
26 Oct 1983 – According to this weeks edition of ‘Interviu’ magazine,
the saboteurs who came to ‘blow up the Rock’ during the Falkland War may have
been provided with arms and explosives by ultra right wing Spanish military
men. ‘Interviu’ says that links between ultra right wing military in Spain and the
Argentine military are well known. This, it adds, could be why details of the
capture are still kept a closely guarded secret by the Spanish military. No
mention of assistance from CESID, then.
27 Oct 1779 - (Gt Sge) Rice $21 per cwt. There is a great scarcity of
fresh meat. Geese are a guinea each; ducks $2 each; pork at 5 Reals a lb.
27 Oct 1800 – This night,
Francis Beaufort (later inventor of the Beaufort Wind Scale) led the boats of HMS
Phaeton in a cutting-out expedition under the guns of Fuengirola. Their
object was a Spanish polacca named San Jose (alias Aglies) 14 guns, in
use as a packet carrying provisions between Malaga and Velilla. A French privateer
entered unseen and opened fire damaging several boats but the expedition
succeeded in capturing the polacca around 5am.
The boarding party suffered one man killed and three wounded including Beaufort
who received - but survived - 19 wounds. The Spaniards sustained at least 13
wounded from their crew of 34 and 22 soldiers. The British immediately
commissioned the San Jose as the sloop of war HMS Calpe. Having insufficient marines
to man her, as a stop gap, she received a mixed detachment of troops from the
garrison at Gibraltar. Even when her marines
arrived, the soldiers stayed with her for several months. Calpe went on to
distinguish herself in the capture of the Eurydice,
Saumerez’s 1801 Battle of Algeciras Bay and later at Estepona.
27 Oct 1805 – Today saw the arrival of HMS Victory which lay off Rosia Bay
with Nelson's body on board. She sailed
for UK
on 3rd November. An unsettled controversy remains about the body being brought
ashore for safeguarding to a house in Rosia… or not. Colin White, possibly the
foremost experts on Nelson’s life, says that if an authentic diary or journal
should surface with evidence, then he will accept it, but otherwise it’s just
an apocryphal tale. I disagree.
27 Oct 1805 – Today saw the
arrival of the Spanish frigate San Juan
de Nepomuceno which had been captured by Nelson's fleet. The last remaining
vestige of the San Juan is her bowsprit, carved into an
image of Gen. Eliott and now resident in the Convent patio.
27 Oct 1805 - A general
Thanksgiving Service was held in King's Chapel by the Rev. J Hughes by command
of H.E. the Lieut. Governor.
27 Oct 1901 - SS Lahn
with remains of the Duke of Alba arrived.
27 Oct 1913 – Gibraltar experienced
showers of rain containing red sand... nowadays a more frequent occurrence.
27 Oct 1936 – (Sp Civ War) News was received that Exemo. Sr. Duque de
Sevilla has been appointed Military Commandant at Algeciras. The Duke was an aristocrat and
cousin to King Alfonso XIII and when the 2nd Republic was declared,
went into exile with the Royal Family. He returned after Franco’s coup-d’etat
and was dedicated to Franco who appointed him as Coronel of Infantry Regt.
Pavia No.7, and then Commandant of the Campo de Gibraltar.
28 Oct 1805 - Arrival of HM
Frigate Prince, with Rear Admiral Don Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros, the
Captain and 500 men of the Spanish ship Santisima Trinidad.
28 Oct 1868 - Funeral took
place of Captain Sierra y Castro of the Spanish Navy.
28 Oct 1878 - The wreck of the Antonia
Cane, Gibraltar registered vessel, was
never found; just three pieces of board were collected by the Custom House
Officer, at Newquay, this day.
28 Oct 1891 – A
Proclamation was issued putting into effect The Sanitary Order Amendment Order,
Gibraltar 1891.
28 Oct 1919 – A severe storm delivered 4.66 inches of rain.
28 Oct 1904 – The Channel Fleet re-coaled here today and is ready to
sail. The entire Torpedo Flotilla has at
last been commissioned.
28 Oct 1930 - First
Tenement Building
to be completed under the Gibraltar Housing Scheme was opened at Flat Bastion Road. It
had taken 10 months to build, after the foundation stone was laid by Governor
Godley.
28 Oct 1934 - Lord &
Lady Baden-Powell arrived in the SS Orama. On landing they were met by
the Governor General Sir C.H. Harington and wife, the naval, military and
civilian authorities and representatives of the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. A
Rally was held, including scouts and guides from Malaga and Tangier. The distinguished
visitors proceeded to Government House
and left for Las Palmas
at noon on the same vessel.
28 Oct 1934 – The
installation of the Venerable Lonsdale Ragg, D.D. as Anglican Archdeacon of Gibraltar took place at the Holy Trinity Cathedral.
28 Oct 1934 – A new
motor-ferry boat, the Aline II, was put into service between Gibraltar
and Algeciras.
28 Oct 1935 – Second
Cruiser Squadron and Sixth Destroyer Flotilla left Gibraltar to meet the French
Cruise Duplex conveying the remains of the late Field Marshal Lyautey to
Casablanca.
28 Oct 1936 – A Fairy IIIF
float plane from HMS Barham crashed into the sea, but no lives were
lost. Barham had a type EIT Catapult installed on top of X turret and a
crane to recover her float plane.
28 Oct 1942 – 116 Spitfires and 13 Hurricanes, shipped in crates,
arrived at North Front. The Special Erection Party (SEP) constructed them and
made them operational by Nov. 6th.
28 Oct 1971 – The Chronicle reports: A sailor from HMS Penelope
lay on the Upper Rock for ten hours with a broken leg, before being rescued.
Around 7.30 am, Staff Sgt Raymond Britten, walking down Green Lane, heard cries
for help and found the injured sailor, Radio Operator 3 Paul Joseph Ludgate,
about 30 feet above the road. He had slipped and fallen whilst trying to
recover a bottle of perfume which he had dropped at around 10pm the previous
night. The cries had been reported
earlier to Police and a search party, led by Sgt Polson, were led by S/Sgt
Britten to the injured man. A CFB
rescue party put splints on the sailor’s leg before an ambulance took him to
RNH.
28 Oct 2003 – The Los
Angeles Class submarine USS Springfield arrived in port today. Built by
General Dynamics and launched 4th Jan 1992 she joined the US Navy
one year later.
28 October 2004 - The governments of United Kingdom and Spain agreed to allow the Government of Gibraltar equal representation in a new open agenda forum (so called Tri-partate Talks). The first tripartate talks took place in Faro, Portugal, in July 2005. The in Augsut 2006 it was announced that: 'The three participants confirm that the necessary preparatory work related to agreement on the airport, pensions, telephones and fence/border issues, carried out during the last 18 months, has been agreed. Accordingley, they have decided to convene in Spain the first Ministerial meeting of the Tripartite Forum of Dialogue on Gibraltar on 18 September 2006.
28 Oct 2005 – Those people
who thought that the pay rises that ministers gave themselves in Dec 1998 were
outrageous will be beside themselves today. The figure has risen by over half
again and is still without a ceiling. Ministers now receive £66,442 and the
Chief Minister £86,771, which is £1400 more than the Chief Justice.
29 Oct 1507 – Today saw the
birth of the Duke of Alba, Spanish soldier and statesman who conquered Portugal and became the hated Governor General
of the Netherlands.
29 Oct 1704 - Vice Admiral Sir John Leake surprised and destroyed a
French squadron of eight in Gibraltar
Bay. (HMS Nottingham and HMS Swallow)
29 Oct 1727 – Importation
of Irish women, troops, for the use of? This was followed by another
trans-shipment a year later. It is not entirely clear what was the status of
these women at the start of their journey; the British had been distributing
Irish Catholics to the colonies since Oliver Cromwell’s time, but it is clear
that they were installed in Irish
Town as prostitutes.
29 Oct 1810 - The 7th Regiment Volunteer Battalion put in quarantine at
the neutral ground.
29 Oct 1921 – Arrived
today, HRH Prince of Wales (later to become Edward VIII) aboard HMS Renown,
on his way to India,
amidst Royal Salutes from the fortress and from ships in the harbour. HE the
Governor, the Governor of Algeciras and Vice-Admiral Niblack USN proceeded on
board. HRH landed at Ragged Staff at 11am
and was accorded a hearty reception. When the Royal Visitor departed at 10pm, Detached Mole was brilliantly
illuminated as was HMS Renown as she steamed out of the harbour.
29 Oct 1936 – Mr A.C.
Carrara was appointed an unofficial member of the Executive Council, vice Mr
Andrews-Speed.
29 Oct 1936 – Nomads won
the Cup of Spain polo trophy.
29 Oct 1940 – Italian submarine Scire
launched three manned torpedoes to attack shipping in Gibraltar
harbour. The raid was a failure because one torpedo broke down and crews of the
other two had to abort the mission after breathing apparatus issues.
29 Oct 1943 – The HMS Princess Astrid, (3,330GT, 1929) ex-Belgian
cross channel ferry, arrived from Algiers
at 0130, went to the oiler then alongside for a run ashore where the crew
bought bananas to take home. Crewman Stan Hough went to visit his uncle George
Gunn, a W.O. in HMS Cormorant. George used the Admiral’s barge to return
Stan to his ship, where they found the Captain and Officers stood-to at the
entry port, expecting an admiral’s visit. Stan reports max temperatures for the
week as; shade 80’, sea 60’ night 60’. The ship left on the 2nd
November carrying 7 U-boat prisoners who complained about the smell in the
place where they were kept prisoner; which was bananas in the adjacent
ammunition hold. Ironically the Astrid
survived the war and returned to civilian service but was wrecked by a WW2
magnetic mine, off Dunquerque in June 1949. She still lays on that sandbank
today and her two funnels could be seen for many years. Today a buoy marks the
wreck
29 Oct 1971 – The Chronicle reports: HRH
Prince Charles will arrive next Friday to join the guided missile destroyer HMS
Norfolk as acting sub-lieutenant. As one of 8 under training on board he
will receive no special privileges. However there will be a small reception on
board Norfolk
to which local dignitaries will be invited.
29 Oct 2002 – Three
(Servicio Maritimo Del Estrecho) Argos IV helicopter crew were rescued in the
early hours of this morning when their aircraft plunged into the sea, 6 miles
from Europa Point, whilst chasing a high-speed launch suspected of being a
drugs carrier. The cause of the accident is unclear to the authorities; but
well known to those of us who are familiar with their boat attack technique.
RGP Marine, GSP & Port Authority were contacted by the Guardia Civil for
assistance in locating the helicopter, after flares were seen. The crew (44, 44
& 22) were picked up by the Guardia Civil at 1.30am and taken to hospital
in Algeciras to
be treated for wounds and hypothermia. The helicopter was not recovered from
the sea, because of gale force winds, and eventually sank.
30 Oct 1869 - 8 convicts under a warder escaped in a boat to Algeciras.
30 Oct 1925 - Licensed
hawkers are obliged to wear badges, on the upper left arm, as from today.
30 Oct 1934 – A notice was
published informing the public that printed and stamped Promissory Notes & other
documents are available for purchase at the Colonial Treasury.
30 Oct 1969 – The Voting Age was reduced to 18.
30 Oct 1971 – The Chronicle reports: ‘Parliament has voted in favour of
British entry into the Common Market. Gibraltar goes in with UK, accepted under Article 227 94 of the Treaty
of Rome, as a British Territory in Europe.’
Acting Chief Minister Maurice Xiberras states: “The people of Gibraltar owe a
considerable debt of gratitude to HM Government who, in the middle of heart
searching and concern about the interests of so many millions of people not
only secured for us, well in advance, the possibility of entry, but did so in
the most favourable terms.” The C.M.
Major Robert Peliza has conveyed to Sir Douglas Home Sec of State, Gibraltar’s
warm appreciation for the work done to make our entry possible: “As in the past
Gibraltar stands ready to play its part in Europe with Britain”.
30 Oct 1971 – The Danish
vessel MV Herenod arrived with the first pre-cast section for the Parcar
Hotel. The section weighing 640 tons will be stacked at the viaduct until ready
for use at the Queensway site, in about two weeks. It will form part of the
ground to second floor of the hotel.
31 Oct 1704 - Spanish Coronel Figueroa led by the shepherd Simon
Susarte, clandestinely entered Gibraltar with
500 men, who were killed as they approached the town from the upper rock. Susarte’s
descendants live today in Algeciras
and their story can be read on Noticias
Gibraltar.
31 Oct 1779 – (Gt. Siege) Royal Battery at the northern summit of the
Rock was completed today and equipped with 4x 24 pounders; it took four days to
drag them up from Middle Hill. The Koehler depression gun carriage was first
used here in 1782 and the last guns mounted here were Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft
between Apr 1941 and May 1944. Royal Battery is now the home to the flagpole
flying the Union Flag over Gibraltar.
31 Oct 1810 - Establishment of a Board of Health composed of 5 official
and 12 local members.
31 Oct 1915 - Telegram sent to Secretary of State lamenting the accident
which had befallen HM King of France. (LCs)
31 Oct 1915 – Some 600 wounded convalescents from (WW1) were entertained
to tea by the townsfolk of Gibraltar.
31 Oct 1930 - Count Jordana, High Commissioner of Spanish Morocco, arrived
today as a guest of HE General Sir A.J. Godley.
31 Oct 1933 – The President of the Spanish
Republic, Don Nicoleto Alcala Zamora, arrived
at Algeciras on his way to Africa.
The Colonial Sec. Lt. Col. the Hon. AB Beattie, representing the Governor, went
to Algeciras to
meet him. The Spanish gunboat Eduardo Dato conveying the
President to Ceuta was escorted by HMS
Shamrock for part of the way and on approaching Gibraltar,
the fortress fired a salute of 21 guns, which was returned by the gunboat.
31 Oct 1936 – Public
Health Ordinance No. 2/1936 was enacted.
31 Oct 1936 – The Royal
Calpe Hunt held a gymkhana at North Front.
31 Oct 1942 – Canadian
W.O. II Charles Edward “Rip” Much flew a Spitfire from the deck of HMS Eagle
in June 1942 and served with 249 Squadron in Malta. On this day he was killed
when Liberator AL 516, filled with time-expired pilots and UK evacuees from Malta, overshot the runway at the
Eastern end and crashed into the sea with 32 evacuees on board. The crew
escaped but 14 of the passengers were killed, either from the impact or
drowning.
31 Oct 1955 – Sec of State Lennox-Boyd told the Commons "We have no
intention of allowing the development of Gibraltar
to be in any way impeded by lack of funds... “we are deeply anxious, not only
to promote the development of the port
of Gibraltar, but also, as far as
possible, to render Gibraltar less and less dependent on the economy of Spain."
~~~~~~~
Oct 1811 – A group of 18 Spanish refugees from San Roque, occupied by
Marshal Sout’s troops, were sheltering at Catalan Bay,
when a large boulder fell from the rock and killed them. The boulder ended up
at the south end of the beach and is today called La Mamela; because of its
shape.
Oct 1842 - General Sir Robert Wilson assumed governorship of Gibraltar.
Oct 1889 - Civil Hospital became a government responsibility.
Oct 1890 - New Governor, Sir Leicester Smythe called officially on
General Don Jose Gamir, governor of Algeciras.
Oct 1890 - First section of Railway; Algeciras to Jimena opened by
Algeciras (Gibraltar) Railway Co Ltd. Designed by British engineer John
Morrison and provided for officers of the Garrison, next section to Ronda
opened in November. The facilitator of the planning and operation was Captain
Lombard… but he never got a mention.
Oct 1895 - The Sisters of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
(IBVM) known as Loreto Sisters celebrated the golden jubilee of their
installation in Gibraltar.
Oct 1902 – Socialist at La
Linea who persisted in holding a prohibited meeting,
were dispersed by Spanish troops, killing 20 of them and wounding many more.
Documents discovered showed that the headquarters of the anarchist group were
in communication with various European towns.
Oct 1919 - Fire broke out in the Exchange Building
(HoA today) and many historic paintings were lost.
Oct 1922 - An executive council proclaimed.
Oct 1929 - The new markets opened today.
Oct 1940 - Gibraltar Spitfire: In the summer of 1940, when Britain was enduring the German aerial onslaught of the Battle of Britain, the need for Spitfires had become urgent. Not for the first time, the people of Gibraltar responded to an appeal for the raising of £5000 for the construction of another of these aircraft, the funds being raised by public subscription between August and October 1940. The sum raised, in excess of the required £5000 and was duly handed over to the Ministry of Aircraft Production and Spitfire Mk IIa, No. P8394 was built at Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory and named "Gibraltar."
The Gibraltar Spitfire began operations in April 1941 and was engaged in sweeps and bomber escorts. When it became involved in an accident, it was taken to Belfast for repairs and once these were completed it was given a training role in November 1942. On the 29th January 1943, during a practice homing exercise, the 'plane crashed near Sterling in Scotland, killing the pilot. A total 0f 345 flying hours had beencovered by the aircraft. Pieces of the 'plane were recovered from Gate Hill near Stirling during a dig. Some of these pieces were to be given to the museum in Gibraltar, but the propeller boss seems to have found a final resting place by the control tower at Balado airfield, from which it flew.
My father was a pilot in 501 Squadron and went solo in P8394 on 11th December 1942. He flew it twice again on the 21st and 29th of December. The next month he was flying another Spit. P4684 when this accident happened. From my father's log book, they wer doing acrobatics, amongst other things, when it appeared that the pilot of P8394, P/O Henri Jeanne Paul de la Batista from Belgium, blacked out due to a fault with his oxygen. The'plane dived headlong into Gate Hill, where it remained for 57 years buried 20 feet in a bog until rediscovered in 2000. Yesterday, 6th Dec. 2000, volunteers from the Dundonald Aviation Museum began examining and cleaning the parts which have been pulled from the bog piecemeal. The aircraft will eventually be displayed at the Dundonal Aviation Museum.
Oct 1956 – Planned military invasion of Gibraltar from Spain (Plan Munoz Grandes) failed to materialise.
Oct 1964 - Spanish government began a series of restrictive measures at
the frontier, in connection with UN Consensus.
Oct 1968 - Foreign Office & Commonwealth Office merged.
Oct 1970 - The United Nations recommended that by October 1970, Gibraltar should cease being a colony. Franco took this as a go ahead to take back Gibraltar. Troops and tanks were concentrated in the Campo area. British forces responded with a task force of aircraft carriers, helicopters and Royal Marine Commandos... for a military exercise. Gibraltar became a hive of military personnel. On seeing the British response. the Spanish troops were stood down and dispersed in November. It was a happy relief that no shots were fired. (Tito)
Oct 1982 – The pretender to the Spanish throne, Don Juan, Conde de
Barcelona, sailing through the Strait in his yacht, gave us the
“right-hand-slap-on-the-inside-elbow-salute” as he passed the Rock; according
to an article by Martin Prieto of Cambio 16. This might seem strange to those
who remember his life being saved when he fled to Gibraltar
in 1931.
Oct 1986 - Michael Colvin said; "… it would be a good thing for Gibraltar to have Spanish involvement in NATO, even if it
meant having the Spanish military working in COMCEN.." oh boy! Did he get it wrong?
Oct 1988 - Queen Elizabeth 2nd addresses the Cortes; "The
democratic parliament before me and the manner in which it was achieved, will
stand out as one of the brightest pages in your nation’s long and proud history." Her historic predecessor QE 1 is believed to
be rotating rapidly in her grave. In 2018, Spanish democracy is still a work in
progress.
Oct 1988 - Shortly after the Queen's visit, the graves of 5000 British
troops (who died freeing Spain
from Boney) were bulldozed at Talavera, to build a by-pass.
Oct 1988 - Spain
demanded from NATO an initial 516 Million pesetas for the use of the Torrejon
Base and an additional 3,200 million pesetas per year after that.
Oct 1997 - Documents discovered by Prof. David Stafford, of Edinburgh University,
reveal that Winston Churchill set up a secret bank account at a Swiss bank
in New York, from which Spanish generals were
bribed to keep Spain
out of the war. The funds were controlled by the British naval attaché in Madrid, who paid
top Spanish generals millions of pounds to take a pro-British line. ‘The bribes
prevented a Spanish accommodation with Germany which would have
threatened Gibraltar and British supply lines to the Med. ‘ It has
been further revealed that Churchill bought a few Spanish generals via Allan
Hillgart, British vice-consul in Mallorca through the millionaire Juan March at
a price of some 2M$
Oct 1998 - "We don't accept the right to self-determination as a
right to unilateral secession. Our constitution doesn't include it. This right does not exist; in the Basque
country, nor in Catalonia or Andalusia or Galicia. This is not a matter for discussion. The government
will not alter its position." The words of Foreign Minister Marcel
Oreja, speaking on the BBC World
TV programme, Correspondent ETA. The Spanish government confirmed this once
again in Catalonia
in 2018.
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