Norman E. Grech complains (November 3) of the long-running argument (that he admits initiating however) about the George Cross on Malta's national flag. The Maltese put it there so they are the ones to remove it - if they so desire.

The George Cross does indeed belong in a museum and I donated a replica to the museum attached to St Lawrence church, in Vittoriosa. King George VI, incidentally, died 51 years ago, not 70-odd as Mr Grech stated.

While Mr Grech appears ready to have the cross of the Order on Malta's flag he objects to an emblem of valour that carries no direct connotation of domination.

I would agree with him however that Malta's flag would be more aesthetically pleasing (though maybe confusing) without the cross that was earned by the bravery of the Maltese and happy the land that has no history - according to a Chinese proverb.

I am an elderly Englishman who served on Malta with a Spitfire squadron and am in the custom of appending GC to the name of Malta on envelopes to my Maltese friends. None has ever objected. It is your flag however and you are free to redesign it to your heart's delight. Remember however that it might have been a swastika or a fasces but for those Maltese who fought and died alongside we British in the 1940s.