Yesterday many of us would have gathered at the Siege Bell for the commemorative service of the award of the George Cross to the brave people of Malta.  This service has been observed since the inauguration of the Siege Bell in 1992.Despite not being able to travel to Malta, members did not forget the significance of this day and sent emails and photos of how they each marked it - including flying the Malta flag from their home.  Also I include a photo of one the oldest UK Pedestal Veterans, Victor Coombes (RN). Vic got himself up anddressed into his regalia so that he could mark the occasion in a fitting and appropriate manner.  At 99years of age, this was no mean feat - particularly the tying of his Association tie with fingers that don't work quite so well as they used to.  Well done, Vic and thank you from us all.  I shall be including more photos from members in our next Association newsletter.

The discovery came after Francis Dickinson approached the University of Malta who, through Professor Timmy Gambin, carried out exceptional work on the discovery of HMS Urge. Mr Dickinson together with Mr.Platon Alexiades, a naval researcher from Canada, whose work was essential to the discovery, were both part of the search team. Through their research on HMS Urge, they requested that the marine archaeology survey team search an area that had been heavily mined during the Nazi's two-and-a-half year siege of the island. A sonar image revealed a submarine-like shape at a depth of 130 metres. "The damage to the bow shows a very violent explosion ... indicating that the ship would have sunk very fast giving no chance to anybody to survive from this tragedy," said Professor Timothy Gambin. Besides the damage on the bow, the wreck is in absolutely fantastic condition. It is sitting upright on the seabed, very proud, in the direction that it was ordered to take on its way to Alexandria". 

We are aware that once again we are going to clash with Easter, so we are trying to organise the programme to avoid members having unnecessary expense.  Provisionally, we are proposing that the Welcome Meeting will take place late afternoon/early evening on Tuesday 14th April (day after Easter Monday).  This will hopefully give people flexibility to get the best price possible for flights at that time.  We are expecting that the Siege Bell Ceremony will take place on the 15th although that is always subject to change depending on the circumstances, Malta branch will keep us appraised. We will be working towards fitting the programme of ceremonies and events from the 16th and concluding with Anzac Day on the 25th as usual.  If you are interested in coming to the Malta reunion and would like confirmation, please contact me by email on pat.scott@georgecrossisland.org.uk or by post via the National Chairman: Ray Wrigglesworth 16, Bloxworth Road, Poole, Dorset, BH12 4BW. Tel:01202 779321.  A draft programme will be issued in the December members newsletter and will also be published here on the web site.

Please be advised that if you have any Agenda items for the National AGM taking place at 10:30 on the 5th October at the Royal Maritime Club Hotel in Portsmouth, you will need to get them to me at least 3 weeks ahead of this date.  You can send them to me via email on pat.scott@georgecrossisland.org.uk or by post via the National Chairman: Ray Wrigglesworth 16, Bloxworth Road, Poole, Dorset, BH12 4BW. Tel:01202 779321.  Please include your name and membership number as the proposer, along with the name and membership number of your seconder.