In 2017 Britain voted to exit the European Union - much to the dismay of many Gibraltarians. The vast majority of them had voted to remain as they were well aware that if the British Government went through with what was known as a “hard Brexit”- that is Britain’s complete withdrawal from the Union - there would be serious economic consequences for Gibraltar.
When Britain finally signed on the dotted line to begin the lengthy negotiations to leave the EU it soon became apparent that any decisions concerning the Rock would have to be approved by Spain.
When Britain finally signed on the dotted line to begin the lengthy negotiations to leave the EU it soon became apparent that any decisions concerning the Rock would have to be approved by Spain.
Suddenly all hell broke loose on the British side with the right wing tabloids as well as many rabid individual Brexitiers adopting thoroughly inappropriate stances in support of British Gibraltar - even to the extent of proposing that Britain go to war against Spain to defend the Rock if necessary against any perceived aggression by Spain.
A truly ironic political moment: the very people who had caused the problem in the first place and who had influenced the exit result via a series of disgraceful tactics and downright lies were now prepared to issue forth a lengthy spiel of badly chosen solutions to a problem that they themselves had created.
On the 14th of April 2017 the Daily Mail - who together with the Daily Express had been one of the most vociferous anti-Europe and anti-immigration tabloid - came up with the following piece which in my opinion is simply a journalistic form of displacement activity.
These fascinating black and white photographs depict the journeys of Gibraltan families who were evacuated to London, Northern Ireland and Jamaica during the Second World War so the Rock could serve as a key fortress.
The nostalgic images show women and children relaxing in Jamaica, taking part in parades with the Union flag hoisted high and cooling off in a shallow stream.
Other photographs show an outdoor tea party with partygoers displaying symbols of British patriotism, a football team cobbled together to take their minds off the ongoing war and families being reunited.
These fascinating black and white photographs depict the journeys of Gibraltan families who were evacuated to London, Northern Ireland and Jamaica during the Second World War so the Rock could serve as a key fortress
The nostalgic images show women and children taking part in parades in Jamaica after being evacuated during the Second World War
Some of the pictures were provided by Gibraltar native Sheryl Moya. She explained the struggles her family went through during World War Two, when they were all sent to different places. Pictured are a group gathered in Jamaica
Some of the pictures were provided by Gibraltar native Sheryl Moya. She explained the struggles her family went through during World War Two, when they were all sent to different places.
'My grandmother was fortunate to be sent to Madeira aged seventeen,' she said. 'She had a great time, but her two sisters were newly married and had to leave their husbands behind. One was pregnant and gave birth to her daughter in Madeira while their grandfather died there.
'My grandfather stayed in Gibraltar but his mother, sister, pregnant sister-in-law and other relatives were sent to Jamaica. His grandfather died there.
'My great aunt and sisters were sent to London and Northern Ireland as young girls. They tell stories of how they had to rush to underground stations during bombings but their mother refused and would choose to stay in bed. They suffered great hardship.
'The families returned with renewed resilience and a stronger sense of community.'
All the women and children were originally evacuated from Gibraltar to French Morocco but after the Nazis captured France it was no longer safe.
Some of the pictures were provided by Gibraltar native Sheryl Moya. She explained the struggles her family went through during World War Two, when they were all sent to different
A group of child Gibraltan evacuees are pictured outside the Victoria & Albert museum in London in 1940
Gibraltarians were displaced during the war and many did not return until 1951, a full six years after the war ended. A group is pictured in Jamaica during the war
The civilians were expelled from French Morocco and exchanged for PoWs. They returned to Gibraltar where they weren't initially allowed to disembark until the men in Gibraltar went on general strike.
Victor Manuel Patricio Amo, 47, was born in Spain as his grandmother moved there during the war. His great-grandparents Rogelio Bellotti Dalmedo and Maria Padina, along with his great-uncle Leopoldo and Rolly embarked on the ship 'Clan Macbean' to England in 1940. He explained how Gibraltarians were displaced during the war and many did not return until 1951, a full six years after the war ended.
Other photos show an outdoor tea party in Jamaica with partygoers displaying symbols of patriotism, including the Union Jack flag
Another photo, taken in Jamaica, shows a group holding balloons and wearing tea party dresses to take their mind off the war
One of the pictures also shows a kitted out football team which was cobbled together to take their minds off the ongoing war
This tea party in Gibraltar looks every inch the British affair as women wear dresses and men don top hats in Jamaica
'My Gibraltarian grandmother married Spanish and was not evacuated to England in 1940,' he said.
'After arriving in Gibraltar from French Morocco, complicated times were experienced because immediate re-evacuation to other places was necessary.
'They even considered not letting the evacuees go ashore to see their relatives again. Finally, on July 19, 1940, re-evacuation began, which was done mainly to the United Kingdom, but also to Jamaica and, the most fortunate and wealthy, to Madeira.
'The re-evacuation, which ended a year later, on July 4, 1941, led to a total of 14,999 Gibraltarians, and it was only the beginning of difficult years.
This picture shows the passport of Maria Teresa Bellotti, who embarked on the ship 'Clan Macbean' to England in 1940
The inside of Ms Bellotti's passport is show above. She was born in 1914 but was evacuated from Gibraltar during the war
Victor Manuel Patricio Amo, 47, was born in Spain as his grandmother (left) moved there during the war. Miss Bellotti's passport is shown, right
'Those who were sent to the United Kingdom suffered the effects of the war, and those who were sent to Jamaica lived other penalties. None was spared the pain of being away from his Rock and his relatives behind.
'From April 1944, they began to return to Gibraltar, although little by little. Almost four years of military life in the Rock caused that there were no houses for all, and it was necessary to prepare reports for the relocation of the returnees.
'The last evacuees returned six years after the end of the war, in 1951. This story shows that Gibraltarians were displaced by their colonial power, the United Kingdom, and explains the sense of autonomy and nationalism.'