Inspection of Military equipment at Valletta Main Guard. It looks as if a Royal Engineer unit on parade. To the left of the photo is a 90 cm carbon arc searchlight and searchlights were used by the Royal Engineers from 1899 to 1940 when they became a Royal Artillery asset used for anti-aircraft operations. As there appears to be no sign of bomb damage, I assume the photo is more than likely pre-1940. Searchlights reverted to being a Royal Engineers responsibility in 1962 or 1963. There is a 90 cm carbon arc searchlight on display in the military museum at Fort St Elmo. My thanks to Ian Proud for this additional information.