The 2019 Malta G.C. Reunion. Looking back upon two weeks of varied activities and commemorations of the 77th Anniversary of the award of the George Cross to the Island's inhabitants and defenders on 15th. April, 1942.
Sunday 14, April was a full day opening with a church service at the Chapel of the Armed Forces of Malta Head Quarters at the former RAF Luqa. Members were then first taken on a guided tour to part of the Dwejra Lines on the highest point of the North West Front of the Victoria Lines from where they could appreciate the extent of the "big wall of Malta" built by the Royal Engineers during the last quarter of the 19th. Century. This was followed by a visit to Fort Mosta which was the central fort of this great defence work.  But that was not all. A visit to Fort St. Elmo followed. Heritage Malta held an open day at the fort to commemorate the award of the George Cross and the various activities, re-enactments and attractions were brought to an end by a poignant power-point presentation on the hardship and suffering of the Maltese during the siege, ably researched and delivered by the National Secretary, Pat Scott. Those who visited the War Museum within the Fort could view the original George Cross medal and King George VI's letter to the Governor bestowing the award in a special display. Other new events introduced for the first time this year were guided tours to the Maritime Museum and Fort St. Angelo in Vittoriosa. The Fort was referred to as H.M.S. St. Angelo and served as Naval HQ till the final departure of the British Forces on 31st. March, 1979. A special exhibition marking this event based on interviews with Maltese and British members of the Royal Navy who are still alive was of particular interest.  The usual commemorative service at the Malta Aviation Museum in the former RAF fighter station at Ta' Qali was for the first time followed by the guided tour of Mtarfa Military Cemetery as guests of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. This beautiful, tranquil cemetery, steeped in history, lies in the shadow of the ancient city of Mdina. With over 1,400 military and civilian graves, some of the headstones bear machine-gun bullet damage incurred during low-level strafing attacks on the airfield nearby, and serve as a reminder of Malta' s suffering and resilience during WWII.
On April 25, visiting members attended the ANZAC DAY commemorative service at the Pieta' Military Cemetery where over 1,400 servicemen mostly from the Gallipoli campaign of 1915-1916 are laid to rest. After the dignified and well-organised service, farewells and pledges to meet again next year were exchanged during the reception hosted by the Australian High Commissioner at her residence in Naxxar. So that brought us to the end of another great reunion and we can't wait until we all meet up in Malta again next year. Photographs provided by Judge Joseph Galea Debono and David Vassallo |
