By Isle of Wight Observer
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway stepped back in time for a ’40s Experience over the weekend.
Around 2,000 people attended the two-day event at Havenstreet, with military vehicles, from Jeeps to a model of a Spitfire aeroplane on display, including Army trucks and weapons carriers.
Among the vans was a Utility vehicle, known as a ‘Tilly’, which was issued to the Royal Malta Artillery during World War II. Tillys served throughout the ‘Siege of Malta’ at Valletta Harbour and Luqa Airport.
Its owner, Simon Thomson of Ryde, said: “The Tillys served until 1979 and were used to transport casualties to hospitals and do all the fetching and carrying; it was the British version of the Jeep and grandfather to the Austin Minor.
“Mine is one of just four left which were painted in the ‘Malta Brick Paint Scheme’. If it is put in front of sandstone brick then it is completely camouflaged and disappears!
“My Tilly had ended up in a shed, but I bought it before the Covid lockdown and brought it over to the Island and restored it. The other three Tillys are all in Malta, so mine is quite unique.”
As well as the vehicles, there was plenty of entertainment with Andy Eastwood (performing as George Formby) along with singers, Hannah Evans and the Boogie Woogie Bluebirds.
Members of the Vectis ’40s Vintage Group, along with other re-enactors, were also in force and suitably dressed for the occasion throughout the weekend.
Find all our pictures at iw.observer/40s-weekend-pics.
