All Hallows Service - 2025

The George Cross Island Association annual service and wreath laying at All Hallows by the Tower, took place on the 16th August, 2025.  It is a Service To Commemorate The Award Of The George Cross To Malta; to Honour And Remember All Who Lost Their Lives On Malta During World War II And Those Who Paid The Ultimate Sacrifice In The Santa Maria (Pedestal) Convoy In August 1942.

Our Service is of commemoration and remembrance which is followed by a Wreath Laying ceremony at the Malta Siege Memorial. This year it was conducted by The Reverend John Barker

We were honoured that the Deputy High Commissioner Of The Republic Of Malta, Mr Mark Ciscaldi, represented His Excellency Malta High Commissioner, Prof Stephen Montefort, at this year's ceremony. Mr Ciscaldi delivered a very poignant address during the service.

The Reverend John Barker opened the service with prayers and the Association Chairman, Ray Wrigglesworth, then gave an opening address, and the Association Prayer followed, read by Mr Michael Gaw. Pat Scott, Association Secretary, read Psalm 46.

Malta Branch Chairman, Mr Peter Robinson, MBE gave a homage to the events that took place in Malta during World War II.

Members of the Merchant Navy were represented and the Malta Culture Movement.

Whilst the opening hymn was played by organist, David Cook, the parade of 11 Standards, followed by a contingent of London Sea Cadets, marched proudly down the aisle, preceded by our Association Chairman, Ray Wrigglesworth, who carried in the Book of Rolls which was presented to Reverend John Barker. The National Standard, carried by GCIA Standard Bearer, Edward Barkway, and the Malta Branch Standard, carried by Wayne Perry were also presented to the Reverend Barker, who laid them on the altar.

During the retiring hymn, the Book of Rolls was returned to the Chairman and the GCIA Standards were returned to our Standard Bearers. Edward Barkway led the Parade outside and where the Parade Marshall, John Bowers, readied a Guard of Honour at the Church door.

The ceremony outside beside the George Cross Island London Memorial, was conducted by Reverend John Barker. The Exhortation was said by the Chairman and in Maltese by Col David Vassallo (rtd).  Our GCIA member, Terry Hissey, played the Last Post on his bugle whilst the Standards dipped, then, following one minutes silence, Terry played the Reveille as the Standards were raised.  The Chairman followed this by saying the Kohima Epitaph. Mrs Patricia Vassallo read a prayer in Maltese and also in English. The wreath laying ceremony then took place, with Pat Scott reading out the names of the wreath layers – Mr Ciscaldi for the People of Malta, Ray Wrigglesworth for the George Cross Island Association, Peter Robinson for the Malta Branch of the GCIA, Geoff Goat for the Royal Navy, Michael Gaw for the Royal Air Force, John Navarro for the Army; Roy Glencross and Anthony Downey each laid a wreath for the Merchant Navy Association, Mr Malcolm Gibbons on behalf of RBL Downs Branch and Mrs Jennie Gibbons on behalf of The Friends of The Burma Star Association (formally the Dover & Deal Branch), completed the wreath laying.

David and Patricia Vassallo led the singing of the Maltese National Anthem with all our Maltese friends joining in and singing at the top of their voices, and then we all sang the British National Anthem, God save the King.  The Chairman, Mr Ciscaldi and Malta Branch Chairman, Peter Robinson accompanied by Parade Marshall John Bowers, inspected the Standards after which the Chairman gave a closing address and the Standard Bearers were dismissed.

This year we had a lovely buffet served in the South Aisle of All Hallows and prepared by the Byward Restaurant, which was enjoyed by all.  A thank you to the Manager, Natalie Wilson and her magnificent team.

We really did have a wonderful day, thanks to all the support we had from the clergy and staff at All Hallows by the Tower, The British Legion, The Merchant Navy, The Royal Navy Association, The City of London Sea Cadets, our Committee members and of course from all the members of the GCIA who came to support us.  We thank representatives of the Merchant Navy Association and the Malta Culture Movement and a very special thank you to all the Standard Bearers from the RBL, Merchant Navy and RNA.  We must also thank John Bowers for his role of Parade Marshall, and of course the pitch perfect bugle accompaniment from Terry Hissey.  I do hope that I haven’t missed anyone from my list of thank yous.  It is a credit to everyone who attended that we had such a wonderfully successful day.