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From Hon Secretary of the George Cross Island Association
2026 Malta Reunion Report
This year’s reunion was successful and enjoyable in Malta, albeit a bit rushed as we experimented with putting all our ceremonies and get togethers into one week. We all agree that it was not a successful experiment. However we honoured our veterans, all those who served in Malta and of course the brave people of Malta during WWII, in our customary way.
A convivial welcome meeting was held on the evening of the 17th in order to ensure that everyone was familiar with the programme and for new and old members to get acquainted – we were delighted that some of the new members from the Military Medical Society travelled over from Valletta to join us. Janet Barkway (Membership) and I left the get-together in Sliema to meet up with the new members in the MSS who were unable to travel to Sliema. Malta branch Chairman, Peter Robinson, drove us to the Excelsior hotel where the group were staying and we had an enjoyable time meeting and chatting with the new members.
The reunion began in earnest on Saturday 18th with the Annual ceremony to commemorate the award of the George Cross to the Island of Malta and to pay tribute to those who gave their lives during WWII and other conflicts, which was very successfully organised and presented by our Malta branch. This took place again at the Saluting Battery while the Siege Bell is being restored.
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 and Captain Rev. Fr. Joseph Meli.
The Office of the President of Malta was represented by Major Richard Vassallo, aide-de-camp to the President of Malta, Her Excellency Myriam Spiteri Debono. As always, we were very grateful to have the support of the Armed Forces of Malta Band trumpeters, tenor and Bagpiper. Our hosts, Fondazzioni Wirt Artna – The Malta
Heritage Trust, gave their full support in the use of the Saluting Battery and fired the Minute gun to commence and end the silence. At the conclusion of the ceremony participants spent time catching up. Thank you Peter and your Malta branch team and congratulations for another event which went off well due to your first-rate organising.
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 Tristan Gilchrist, Deputy High Commissioner for the United Kingdom. Further wreaths were laid by many dignitaries, Ambassadors and High Commissioners of various countries. There were also a large number of people watching the ceremony from the Upper Barrakka Gardens as you can see from the photograph below:
On Sunday 19th we attended St. Paul's Pro Cathedral where we were warmly welcomed by Rev. Canon David Wright who had prepared an order of service for our Association to include an Act of Remembrance and wreath laying.
The Association standard was carried by Edward Barkway and laid on the Altar at the start of the service and collected after the blessing, Edward then paraded out of the Cathedral and stood by as the congregation left. 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 Deputy High Commissioner Tristan Gilchrist. The choir sang both National Anthems of the United Kingdom and of Malta. Our sincere thanks to Canon David for making us so welcome and for his support and friendship and that offered by the clergy and supporters of St. Paul's Pro Cathedral.
On Monday 20th, we commemorated the award of 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, and RAFA: Stephen McCarthy RAF.
Wreaths were laid at the Royal Navy Memorial by Association Chairman, Ray Wrigglesworth RN, The Malta/RAF Memorial wreath was laid by Malta Branch Chairman, Peter Robinson and the Malta War Memorial, laid by Judge Joseph Galea Debono.
Wednesday the 22nd was one of the highlights of our Malta visits where we are honoured to be invited by the Armed Forces of Malta to a band display and reception which the AFM stage especially for the George Cross Island Association members and AFM veterans. The band display was wonderful and the weather very kind to us, the refreshments provided by the AFM at the reception were delicious, showing how appetising Maltese dishes are.
Our next commemorative event was at the Air Museum, Ta Qali on Thursday 23rd. As always, Ray Polidano opened up the chapel and laid out chairs for us all ready for the service. Fr. Sergio of the Armed Forces of Malta officiated at the service with readings by Malta Branch chairman, Peter Robinson and Association Chairman Ray Wrigglesworth, who also laid the wreath. Our standard bearers were Edward Barkway for the George Cross Island Association, Ray Demanuelle for the Malta Branch and Stephen McCarthy for RAFA.
Our next commemorative event was at the Air Museum, Ta Qali on Thursday 23rd. As always, Ray Polidano opened up the chapel and laid out chairs for us all ready for the service. Fr. Sergio of the Armed Forces of Malta officiated at the service with readings by Malta Branch chairman, Peter Robinson and Association Chairman Ray Wrigglesworth, who also laid the wreath. Our standard bearers were Edward Barkway for the George Cross Island Association, Ray Demanuelle for the Malta Branch and Stephen McCarthy for RAFA.
After the service many members visited all the exhibits in the museum and were also given a very informed talk by the Armed Forces of Malta, first Helicopter pilot, Dr. P. Micallef Eynaud . We all retired to the “NAAFI” for refreshments provided by Ray Polidano and we also had a “for fun” Malta quiz where we collected 38 pounds which will go into funds towards wreaths, etc. Thank you to everyone who contributed.
The service was conducted by Fr. Sergio. We thank Fr. Sergio for a beautiful service and for blessing all the plaques and urns.
The 24th was a welcome free day followed by the Anzac ceremony on the 25th at the Pieta Military Cemetery to commemorate the Gallipoli Campaign of WWI. The George Cross Island Association was honoured to be invited to attend the Remembrance ceremony, organised by the Australian High Commission and the New Zealand Consulate.
The Association Standard was paraded by Edward Barkway, The Malta Branch Standard by Ray Demanuelle. Wreaths were laid by the Association Chairman, Ray Wrigglesworth, Hon. GCIA President Joseph Galea Debono and Malta Branch Chairman, Peter Robinson MBE.
The Service was followed by a reception at the Australian High Commissioners’ residence where we were treated to a fabulous selection of canapes included the excellent Kangaroo pies.
Well that concluded our reunion, which we all enjoyed and hopefully we can all meet again in Malta in 2027 which is when we shall commemorate the 85th anniversary of the award of the George Cross to the people of Malta and also the 40th anniversary of the foundation of the George Cross Island Association- we also hope that members will be able to join us to commemorate these two auspicious occasions and observe the aims of our Association.
Thank you to Janet Barkway for the photographs
Pat Scott, Hon. Association Secretary
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