This is a view I’ve seen before, but only ever as a printed postcard. Here is a copy of an actual photographic version of the view towards the back of Birkirkara station platform through the famous public gardens. The date’s uncertain, but likely to be around 1915. The photographer is standing almost beside the station building, on its west side and looking towards the town beyond the station perimeter.

With this new clarity, it’s possible to see that two of the gentlemen captured are probably station staff. Both wear identical caps and uniforms with high buttoned collars. The staff are known to have been provided uniforms of blue serge.

Perhaps unusually, they have no obvious insignia informing the public of their position or authority. There is no sign of bespoke brass buttons that might have signified their railway employment with company initials. It’s difficult to tell whether the glint from each cap is just a leather strap across the top of the brim or whether it might be a small badge.