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The London Siege Memorial
The idea to have a UK monument came from a GCIA member who felt that it would be fitting for a memorial to be erected in London as Valletta had its Memorial - the Siege Bell.
An organising committee was set up under the chairmanship of the Hon. Tim Lewin, son of the late Admiral Lord Lewin, who had been GCIA president when the Siege Bell had been erected in 1992.
From Mgarr Harbour by sea and by road from Sicily, a block of stone cut from a Gozo quarry is now standing in the grounds of All Hallows Church by the Tower of London. It stands some three metres high and on each of its four sides is a plaque setting out part of the story of the sacrifice of some 7,000 Maltese men and women and Commonwealth and Allied servicemen and women who lost their lives in defence of Malta.
Dr Fenech Adami had previously attended a service of thanksgiving to commemorate those who served and died during the Siege of Malta, along with over 500 invited guests from the Royal Navy, RAF, Army, Merchant Navy, representatives of the US Navy and other wartime allies. The Malta G.C. branch was represented by four veterans: Lt. Col A.L. Pace Bonello, MBE (founder of the Malta branch of the GCIA), Major S.J.A. Clews MBE, Capt. A. Sant Cassia, and Mr. Walter Sullivan.
After the service the congregation gathered outside around the monument and, on the arrival of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, who was at that time the George Cross Island Association Patron, President Fenech Adami made his dedication address recalling the bravery of the Maltese people and the Allied servicemen and women.
Dr Fenech Adami led the wreath-laying ceremony and was followed by the Duke of Edinburgh, who laid a wreath on behalf of the UK armed forces. Wreaths were also laid by representatives of Commonwealth countries and the Allies. Lt Col Pace Bonello laid a wreath on behalf of the GCIA.
Malta's High Commissioner in London at that time and Mrs. Michael Refalo, and former High Commissioner George Bonello Du Puis were also present.
On August 15th, 2005 the then President of Malta, Edward Fenech Adami, laid the first wreath at the foot of the newly-erected monument.
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