I refer to the article Malta To Host First Anzac Memorial Outside Australia (July 18) and the opening paragraph stating that it was the first Anzac monument outside Australia.

I would like to correct this by saying that there are quite a number of monuments built outside Australia to commemorate World War I (war is never great).

It will be an injustice if not an insult to the New Zealanders to say there are no memorials for their dead in NZ. With a population of about one million, more than 110,000, or 10 per cent, served in the war with a loss of 18,000 and 55,000 wounded. There are monuments, obelisks, bridges, gates, icons and buildings in remembrance of the fallen Anzacs in NZ. Among these are a memorial in Kaitaia, unveiled on March 24, 1916, the Oamaru memorial, the Inglewood memorial, the Wellington cenotaph, Christchurch Bridge and others which include the Menin Gate in Ypres Belgium, the Australian Corps memorial at Le Hamel, France, one or two in Gallipoli and in Weymouth, the UK.

I am sure there are quite a few others.

In the case of Australia, from a population of about five million at the time, 330,000 served in the war, including young Australians and New Zealanders, some as young as 12 who simply said they were older or used their brothers' name and conscripted themselves for the "adventure". A total of 59,000 Australians died and 18,000 were wounded.

In spite of Malta being only equipped to cater for a few hundred patients, the island was declared a base hospital. May 1915 brought the first convoy of about 600 wounded allies from the Dardanelles. By March 1916 there were about 20,000 convalescing soldiers. Twenty-seven hospitals and convalescent camps were set up to cater for about 80,000 wounded and sick cared for in Malta, with many public and private buildings, including schools, being converted to nurse the wounded or the sick. No wonder Malta earned the title of "nurse of the Mediterranean".

In August 1915, although employment in the dockyard and jobs in military logistics were not lacking, about 1,200 volunteered to join the labour corps. About 900 were selected and on September 1, 1915 sailed for Mudros, in Greece. Mudros remained the Allied base for the blockade of the Dardanelles for the duration of the war and was eventually the place where the armistice between Turkey and the Allies was signed in October 1918. Over 1,000 Maltese and Gozitan officers and men served in Gallipoli, mainly with the RMA. Among these was also Henry F. Curmi (1890-1967) who later served as High Commissioner for Malta in Australia.

In 1915, the Royal Malta Artillery, which was engaged in the work of the production of some 68,000 hand grenades for the Dardanelles under the supervision of British officers, was shocked by a tragic accident when an explosion occurred killing 16 gunners from the RMA.

At the Addolorata Cemetery, you'll find the names of quite a few Maltese who gave their life during this conflict: Aquilinas, Camilleris, Gatts, Sammuts and the Zammits. Besides there are 230 or so graves scattered in Rinella, Kalkara, Pietà and Mtarfa.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs there are another 206 Australian casualties with no known grave listed on memorials in Malta.

I am sure the Argotti Gardens is a suitable place where to build a memorial particularly since the government has enhanced these gardens and did some excellent work refurbishing it in spite of the recent vandalism.

When I worked at the old power station back in 1956 I used to walk past Anzac graves in Floriana. What happened to these graves? Perhaps this part could also be considered as a suitable site for the memorial.

While I congratulate the committee in finally reaching a decision, which is overdue. With due respect to the sculptor, I feel the selected winning model by sculptor Ganni Bonnici hardly captures the feeling of an Australian or of a New Zealand character. We consider it should. I do not know what the other competitors have submitted. It is sad that people living outside Malta were not allowed to compete.

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