The Malta reunion 2019 will take place from the 12th to the 26th April and our base will be the Preluna hotel, Sliema.  It does coincide with Easter ( second weekend).  See the Events page for more details. 

Meeting opened at 11:00 with Prayers, Exhortation and Silent Tribute.  The Chairman then welcomed those attending. The Minutes of the 2017 AGM were accepted as a true record by those present and attended on 7th October 2017.  Proposed Pat Scott; Seconded Alex Saint. Agreed unanimously.

Reports from the National Chair and Hon Secretary were read out including a message from our Patron, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. The National Treasurer announced that the TSB UK Account balance to carry forward is £7,702.81.  The Malta HSBC Reunion account balance to carry forward of 467.25. The accounts had examined and agreed by Examiners Julia Gaw and Alex Saint.

The National Secretary read out the names of those willing to stand for election and the following were elected:

National Chairman: Ray Wrigglesworth; Hon Secretary: Pat Scott. Hon Treasurer: Alex Saint. These were all agreed unanimously. Auditors elected were Julia Gaw; Pat Scott and agreed unanimously.

It was agreed that as the National Accounts are in a healthy state there would be no increase in the branch levy.

The Appointment of Annual Malta Reunion Organisers were:

Organiser: Pat Scott; Assistant Organisers: Alex Saint, Barry Wenman and were agreed unanimously. The Malta Reunion will take place on the 12th to 26th April.There was discussion on the disappointment several members had with the Preluna this year, and Pat will investigate alternatives.  However, the costs of other comparable hotels is considerably higher. The costs will be published on this web site shortly.

National AGM 2019 will be hosted by West Branch; West Branch Secretary reported it will be held again at the Royal Maritime Club, Portsmouth.  The date to be finalised but likely to be early October 2019.

West branch proposed there should be an introduction of postal/proxy voting for National AGMs.  This is due to the advancing age of some members and the difficulty and cost associated with travel, it was put forward that voting should also be allowed via email and was agreed unanimously. This will require an amendment to the constitution.

West Branch proposed the ex officio office National President for Mrs Julia Gaw, if she is no longer standing as Association Chairman, this position should be awarded to her in recognition of her years of service and hard work. Agreed unanimously. This will require an amendment to the constitution.

West Branch also proposed that if Mr Michael Gaw is no longer standing as Hon Secretary, he should be awarded Honorary membership in recognition of his years of service and hard work, this was agreed unanimously.

Under Any Other Business Sue Hudson mentioned that she would like to have permission to add updates to the Facebook page that come from the web site that she manages on the Malta War Diary. Is was agreed that this was perfectly acceptable. 

The Chairman closed the Meeting at 12:15 at which point Mr Michael Gaw congratulated the appointments of the Principle Officers and wished them success in their new appointments.

The Chairman thanked those present, and for their input on all the agenda items and for their continued support of the George Cross Island Association.

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.