Before joining the Royal Navy and sailing to Malta, Alan Sandall, our West branch “veteran”, served as a volunteer youngster in the war-time fire service. When he joined at 14, like so many others, it was the AFS, the Auxiliary Fire Service. Then, facing such odds from enemy bombing, the Government forced a National Fire Service, the NFS.

Lucky to live, he wrote an 87 thousand word book telling the story of these men and women whom Winston Churchill called, “The heroes with grimy faces.” Vividly it tells the story from 1938, when men volunteered in case of war, through to the end. All are true incidents, giving a taste of the horrors and hardships.

More than a thousand fire-fighters, including 25 women, lost their lives. Just like the GCIA there is a memorial in London. Close by St Paul’s Cathedral is an eight-foot high bronze sculpture, to remember their heroism. 

Because of the renewed interest in those days, and people keep asking for copies of his book, he has arranged a further reprint. The title is,  Are You 17?  Copies cost £9.50

If GCIA members would like a copy , send a tenner and he will pay the rest of the postage and give £2 for each copy sold to GCIA funds. Alan Sandall, Sherwill, 13 Styles Avenue, Frome, Somerset, BA11 5JN.

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary from the award of the George Cross to Malta by King George VI, in April 1942, Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna in conjunction with the Malta Tourism Authority is holding a public lecture by the British military historian and broadcaster James Holland, author of military history books including the best seller Fortress Malta.

In this talk, James Holland will focus on the crucial months of 1942, revealing the depth of the nation’s suffering and outlining its extraordinary fightback and the part the island played in the Axis defeat in North Africa. For more than two years, fortress of Malta was besieged, yet it held out against the odds and played a vital strategic role as an offensive base from which Britain could attack vital Axis supply lines.

The lecture will be followed by the viewing of the historic 1942 British documentary Malta GC and a reception kindly provided by the Office of the Prime Minister. 

A brief Fortress Malta book signing by the author will precede the reception.

This event is taking place on Friday 21st April 2017 at 7.00pm and is being hosted by the Office of the Prime Minister at the Ambassadors’ Hall, Auberge de Castille, Valletta. Attendance is free but limited to 120 and strictly by prior registration on a first come first served basis. Due to security constraints unregistered individuals and late comers will not be allowed in.

This event is being held under the auspices of the Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government Hon Owen Bonnici and kindly supported by the Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard.

To book email bookings@wirtartna.org giving name and numbers of attendees.

Dress jacket and tie.

1920-2017 [Aged 96 years]

Sadly we have to report that Group Captain Dalley has crossed the bar.

Please click here to read his obituary as written by his family.  He will be great missed.  May he rest in peace.