Crossed the Bar

It is with great sadness that I sadly announce the loss of a long-standing member of the George Cross Island Association, FRANCIS or, as he was better known,  FRANK  THOMPSON. He passed away peacefully in the morning of Tuesday 28, March in the presence of his loving daughters Pat and Helen after fighting death as long as he physically could.

Frank had given a very valid contribution to our Association since its beginning, first as a member of Anglia Branch and subsequently as its secretary and eventually rising to the most prestigious post of National Chairman.

He had a long and interesting career in the Royal Navy in his various postings between 1949 and 1971, including two in Malta G.C. between 1953 and 1955 and 1964 and 1966.   

Although he was still too young to serve in Malta during the Second Great Siege, his medical service in post-war Malta, where he was accompanied by his dear family and which culminated in a qualification for the rank of Ward Master Sub Lieutenant, must have certainly endeared him to the Island sufficiently to ensure his return to it for many years to attend our annual reunion despite his progressing venerable age. 

In his well-merited long spell of retirement, he kept active in the Royal Naval Association and kept in touch with his Alma Mater, the RNH School Holbrook, though in recent years he had wisely retired to a serene life in Cork accompanied to the very end by the loving care of his daughter Pat Scott to whom he had passed on his enthusiasm for and active involvement in our Association as its National Secretary. 

Requiem Mass took place on Saturday, 1st. April, at 11am in St. Patrick’s Church, Bandon followed by his cremation.

May he rest in peace in the arms of the Almighty.

Joseph Galea Debono, Hon. President, George Cross Island Association  (U.K. & Malta G.C.)

The George Cross Island Association has lost one of its most ardent, energetic and dedicated officials today, 19th March, after a sudden illness. Mary Robinson was the Hon. Treasurer and Membership Secretary and a very capable events’ organiser of Malta G.C. Branch for the past decade, closely supporting her husband Peter, the Hon. Chairman of the branch, in all its activities and functions.

She was known for her very positive and sociable character which exuded warmth and sympathy to all those who came in contact with her. Mary and Peter were inseparable and together they formed a team which kept Malta Branch alive and active over the years.

At functions and commemorations, she always proudly wore the service medals of her father who perished while serving in an anti-aircraft battery of the Royal Malta Artillery in April 1942 during the worst period of the Malta Siege and perhaps she was the person most entitled to wear these medals on her right breast to commemorate the father she never got to know.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Peter her devoted and loving husband. Her loss will be felt by all the Malta Branch members and no doubt by all the members of our Association who were fortunate enough to encounter her whenever they visited Malta in our April Reunions over the years.

We bid her farewell and pray to the Lord to give Peter the fortitude to bear this sad loss.

Judge Joseph Galea Debono, Honorary President, George Cross Island Association