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Photos from Malta A Childhood Under Siege

The back of Warneford Terrace in Hull, where Sam was born, now demolished.
The back of Warneford Terrace in Hull, where Sam was born, now demolished.
Hilda Mary in Limerick 1920 aged 26.
Hilda Mary in Limerick 1920 aged 26.
Sam and Hilda Mary, wedding day, 14 April 1926, aged 26 and 32.
Sam and Hilda Mary, wedding day, 14 April 1926, aged 26 and 32.
Ed, Pat, Margaret, Joan and Daphne, Hong Kong circa 1935.
Ed, Pat, Margaret, Joan and Daphne, Hong Kong circa 1935.
Ed, Joan, Sam, Margaret, Hilda Mary, Daphne, Pat, Hong Kong circa 1935.
Ed, Joan, Sam, Margaret, Hilda Mary, Daphne, Pat, Hong Kong circa 1935.
Parasols for the hot sun, Hong Kong, early 1937: Joan (5), Margaret (7), Daphne (5).
Parasols for the hot sun, Hong Kong, early 1937: Joan (5), Margaret (7), Daphne (5).
Margaret, confirmation day, Darlington 1938.
Margaret, confirmation day, Darlington 1938.
Sam Staples in uniform, Malta 1940.
Sam Staples in uniform, Malta 1940.
Maison Notre Dame.
Maison Notre Dame.
Maison Notre Dame name plate.
Maison Notre Dame name plate.
Staples Five Variety Show programme. Note: Short interval for an hour!
Staples Five Variety Show programme. Note: Short interval for an hour!
Tony Cefai, unidentified Army Chaplain and Major Sam Staples.
Tony Cefai, unidentified Army Chaplain and Major Sam Staples.
Dora Clarke in London 1937. She was always a sharp dresser.
Dora Clarke in London 1937. She was always a sharp dresser.
Salina Palace - now demolished - was not a conventional palace by any means!
Salina Palace - now demolished - was not a conventional palace by any means!
Major William Edward (Nobby) Clarke.
Major William Edward (Nobby) Clarke.
Mrs Clarke at the salt pans with the workers.
Mrs Clarke at the salt pans with the workers.
Miss Juliet Rose Foss, Headmistress of Chiswick House School.
Miss Juliet Rose Foss, Headmistress of Chiswick House School.
Major Sam Staples and Father Hersey at the Scout Hall, after it was bombed in 1942.
Major Sam Staples and Father Hersey at the Scout Hall, after it was bombed in 1942.
Ed searches for anything worth salvaging at the Scout Hall after the bombing.
Ed searches for anything worth salvaging at the Scout Hall after the bombing.
The Staples sisters in Malta circa 1942. Margaret (13), Daphne and Joan (11).
The Staples sisters in Malta circa 1942. Margaret (13), Daphne and Joan (11).
The author Linda Peek with Marco Cremona (well-known artist Emvin Cremona's son) at Gallery Cremona, Rabat, Malta, 2017.
The author Linda Peek with Marco Cremona (well-known artist Emvin Cremona's son) at Gallery Cremona, Rabat, Malta, 2017.
Statue of Saint Theresa with Margaret's hands in St Mary's parish church, Attard, Malta, by well-known sculptor, Marco Montebello.
Statue of Saint Theresa with Margaret's hands in St Mary's parish church, Attard, Malta, by well-known sculptor, Marco Montebello.
Lunch menu at Verdala Palace for King George VI's visit.
Lunch menu at Verdala Palace for King George VI's visit.
Seating plan for lunch at Verdala Palace for the King's visit.
Seating plan for lunch at Verdala Palace for the King's visit.
Sam in Gillingham Kent, 1946.
Sam in Gillingham Kent, 1946.
Hilda Mary in Gillingham Kent, 1946.
Hilda Mary in Gillingham Kent, 1946.
Staples Five as teenagers in Gillingham Kent, 1946.
Staples Five as teenagers in Gillingham Kent, 1946.
Sam and Margaret in Gillingham Kent, 1946.
Sam and Margaret in Gillingham Kent, 1946.
Margaret Staples singing in Gillingham 1946.
Margaret Staples singing in Gillingham 1946.
Programme of preview of the Bells of St Mary's in Rochester, Kent.
Programme of preview of the Bells of St Mary's in Rochester, Kent.
Margaret dressed as a nun.
Margaret dressed as a nun.
Margaret's 21st birthday, Gillingham, 23 September 1950.
Margaret's 21st birthday, Gillingham, 23 September 1950.
Margaret and Ken on their wedding day, 13 January 1951.
Margaret and Ken on their wedding day, 13 January 1951.
Staples Five without Pat, but with his son Shaun in 1992. Back row: Joan, Shaun and Daphne; front row: Ed and Margaret.
Staples Five without Pat, but with his son Shaun in 1992. Back row: Joan, Shaun and Daphne; front row: Ed and Margaret.
Ed the draughtsman circa 1955.
Ed the draughtsman circa 1955.
Ed with five of the six Winner children and Hilda Mary, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 1968. From left to right: Ed, Jim, Anne, Mary, Tom, Nana Staples, Bob. Paul was born two years later.
Ed with five of the six Winner children and Hilda Mary, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 1968. From left to right: Ed, Jim, Anne, Mary, Tom, Nana Staples, Bob. Paul was born two years later.
Linda aged three as Daphne's bridesmaid.
Linda aged three as Daphne's bridesmaid.
Margaret, Tunbridge Wells, 2016 aged 87.
Margaret, Tunbridge Wells, 2016 aged 87.
Margaret aged 88 with Linda, Tunbridge Wells, 2017.
Margaret aged 88 with Linda, Tunbridge Wells, 2017.
Medals awarded to Major H. W. Staples RE (113841) from L to R: 1939-1945 Star; Africa Star, defence Medal (UK); War Medal and MiD (oakleaf); Long Service and Good Conduct.
Medals awarded to Major H. W. Staples RE (113841) from L to R: 1939-1945 Star; Africa Star, defence Medal (UK); War Medal and MiD (oakleaf); Long Service and Good Conduct.
Daphne's wedding, Fallingbostel 1955. Back row from left to right: Pat, Auntie Molly, Margaret, Frank Winner, Daphne, Joan, Hilda Mary and Sam. Front row: Ed and Linda. Sam was 55 but looks older. The war had taken its toll.
Daphne's wedding, Fallingbostel 1955. Back row from left to right: Pat, Auntie Molly, Margaret, Frank Winner, Daphne, Joan, Hilda Mary and Sam. Front row: Ed and Linda. Sam was 55 but looks older. The war had taken its toll.
Ed with nieces Linda and Diana circa 1959.
Ed with nieces Linda and Diana circa 1959.
State Registered Nurse Joan Staples circa 1960.
State Registered Nurse Joan Staples circa 1960.
Ken and Margaret made a stunning couple when they became engaged in 1950.
Ken and Margaret made a stunning couple when they became engaged in 1950.
With his film star looks, Ken Hutchinson swept Margaret off her feet.
With his film star looks, Ken Hutchinson swept Margaret off her feet.
Portrait of Margaret by Emvin Cremona
Portrait of Margaret by Emvin Cremona
Margaret Staples singing Oh Danny Boy in 1947.
Margaret Staples singing Oh Danny Boy in 1947.