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Most of the members who attended our 2025 Reunion in Malta have returned home after another successful and enjoyable 2 weeks of ceremonies and getting together. Our veterans were honoured in our customary way, also the people of Malta and all who served there.
A convivial welcome meeting was held on the evening of the 12th in order to ensure that everyone was familiar with the programme and for new and old members to get acquainted.
On the morning of the 12th April a ceremony was, once again, held at the Saluting Battery with the Siege Bell still inaccessible. We could see that restoration work is ongoing and we can only hope that it will be completed before too much longer. Malta branch organised and hosted the ceremony which was attended by many dignitaries. Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Tanja Beyer, wrote the opening address to the Order of Service publication.
At 11 o'clock INNU MALTI was sung by Lance Bombardier George Zammit of the Armed Forces of Malta.
Malta branch Chairman, Peter Robinson, MBE delivered the Welcome Address followed by our Association President, Judge Joseph Galea Debono who opened the service with a moving address. The Chaplains for the service were Rev. Canon David Wright, Rev. Matthias Kunze and Captain Rev. Fr. Joseph Meli.
The traditional minute gun fires rang out between the Last Post and The Reveille which were performed by the trumpeters of the Armed Forces of Malta.
Whilst the Armed Forces of Malta played, wreaths were laid by our President, Judge Joseph Galea Debono, Our Association Chairman, Ray Wrigglesworth and Malta Branch Chairman, Mr. Peter Robinson MBE. Also by H.E. Cathy Ward, High Commissioner for the United Kingdom. Further wreaths were laid by a number of Ambassadors and High Commissioners of many countries.
On Palm Sunday we attended St. Paul's Pro Cathedral where we were warmly welcomed by Rev. Canon David Wright who had prepared an addition to the service with an Act of Remembrance and wreath laying commemoration for our Association, he also prepared a special order of service. Standards were laid on the Altar prior to the service, collected after the blessing and then paraded out of the Cathedral.
The Act of Remembrance was read by Janet Barkway, The Exhortation by our Association Chairman, Ray Wrigglesworth and the GCIA Prayer was read by Association Secretary, Pat Scott. Wreaths were laid by Ray Wrigglesworth and Francis Dickinson. The choir sang both the National Anthem of the United Kingdom and of Malta.
Our sincere thanks to Canon David for making us so welcome and for his support. We hope to enjoy the ambiance and friendship offered by the clergy and supporters of St. Paul's Pro Cathedral next year.
The Monday was a free day and then on Tuesday 15th April we were back on duty to commemorate the date that King George VI awarded the George Cross to the people of Malta in appreciation of their heroism by our traditional wreath laying ceremonies.
Capt. Fr. Meli, Chaplain to the Armed Forces of Malta officiated at each of the memorials, along with Fr. Sergio. We were once again honoured to have Trumpeters from the AFM. The Standard Bearers were - GCIA: Edward Barkway, GCIA Malta Branch, Liam Barlow: RAF, RAFA: Stephen McCarthy RAF.
Unfortunately due to works being carried out, the Royal Navy Memorial was inaccessible, so just two memorials this year - The Malta/RAF Memorial with the wreath laid by Malta Branch Chairman, Peter Robinson and the Malta War Memorial, wreaths laid by Judge Joseph Debono and Ray Wrigglesworth. Both memorials are in Floriana.
We had another free day on the Wednesday followed by attendance at the Armed Forces of Malta barracks, Luqa on Thursday 17th. We were once again honoured to have received an invitation by Brigadier O'Neill to be treated to a musical spectacular by the Band of the Malta Armed Forces directed by Major Jonathan Borg. This year as the weather was so good it took place on the parade ground in beautiful sunshine.
Following a magnificent repertoire of music ranging from military marches to classical and popular music, we watched the parade march off and then followed them into the Officers Mess for a reception where we were offered refreshments. As always, we give our heartfelt thanks to Brigadier O'Neill and to Capt. Dorothy Gauchi.
This year, as has happened on many times before, our visit coincided with Easter, therefore we took a break from our ceremonies to enjoy the Easter parades and festivities that take place in Malta at this time. We recommenced on Tuesday 22nd with our regular visit to the wonderful chapel at the Air Museum, Ta Qali.
I do wish to mention two of our members who gave up most of Monday 21st to work on cleaning all our plaques and to do a general tidy up of the chapel in readiness for our service.
They brought with them all the materials and set about it vigorous and enthusiastically. We all owe them a big thank you for the work they did on our veterans and members memorial plaques. What a great job they did, thank you Janet and Sue
The service was conducted by Fr. Sergio as Capt Fr. Meli was away. We thank Fr. Sergio for a beautiful service and for blessing all the plaques and urns. Our Standard Bearers were GCIA: Edward Barkway, GCIA Malta Branch, Liam Barlow: RAF, RAFA: Stephen McCarthy RAF, who we also thank for their support throughout our reunion.
These photo montages were put together by member Deborah Plenty, thank you Deborah.
So that was the last of our own ceremonies, however we still had two more events to attend - the Gala Dinner Dance organised by the British Residents Association to celebrate St. George's Day and Anzac Day.
The Gala Dinner on the 23rd was held at the Palace hotel and Members of the British community in Malta came together for a wonderful evening of tradition and entertainment. Representatives from the British High Commission attended, reflecting on the strong ties between the UK and Malta, and the British community on the islands.
The members of the GCIA were invited to attend and we thank the BRA for a lovely evening.
Montage by Deborah Plenty
The 110th commemorative Anzac Day service was held on Friday 25th at the Pieta Military Cemetery to commemorate the Gallipoli Campaign of WWI. People often ask why is it commemorated in Malta, it is because Malta, that was known as the nurse of the Mediterranean playing an important part in the campaign as injured soldiers from Australia and New Zealand were transported to Malta for their injuries to be treated , those who paid the ultimate sacrifice are buried in Malta in various commonwealth cemeteries including the Pieta Military cemetery which holds the highest number of ANZAC war graves in Malta .
Wreaths were laid by a number of dignitaries and a reading by the High Commissioner for Australia, Matt Skelly.
The service was attended by our members who were then invited to a reception at residence of the HE the High Commissioner for Australia
Well that concluded our 2025 reunion, which we all enjoyed and hopefully we can all meet again in Malta in 2026 - we also hope that a few more of our members might feel able to join us to commemorate and observe the aims of our Association.
Pat Scott, Hon. Association Secretary
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