The Royal Air Force's 111(F) Squadron returned to Malta yesterday after an absence of 65 years.

Four of the squadron's Tornado F3 fighter planes will be taking part in a flypast over the War Memorial in Floriana during Remembrance Day celebrations on Sunday at 11 a.m.

The squadron was based on the island during World War II, when its legendary Faith, Hope and Charity Gloster Gladiator aircraft formed the island's only air defence in the first days of the conflict.

In 1943, the squadron was equipped with Spitfire fighter planes and took part in the invasion of Sicily.

It emerged yesterday that Flight Lieutenant Luke Gili-Ross, one of the four pilots who landed at Luqa, is the grandson of a Maltese national who served as a ground crew member during World War II, Norbert Gili-Ross.

Mr Gili-Ross was part of the team that kept the aircraft flying. He would have been very proud to learn that his grandson would form part of the squadron that commemorated the sacrifice made by the defenders of the island so many years later.

Lt Gili-Ross said this was his second visit to Malta and, other than visiting family, he'll be learning a bit about the island's history.

The squadron's visit also brought back fond memories to retired Squadron Leader Mark Micallef Eynaud.

During his time with 111(F) Squadron, Mr Micallef Eynaud flew the Phantom FGR2 and FG1.

He took part in many missions involving long transit, air-to-air refuelling followed by interception, identification and photography of enemy aircraft.

His longest mission was a seven-hour flight involving multiple air-to-air refuelling operations, a long time to be strapped to an ejection seat with no toilet facilities, he recalled.

Also, one of the planes that arrived yesterday forms part of 1435 Flight, formed in Malta during World War II. The flight has kept its link with the island and named three of its aircraft after the three Gloster Gladiator aircraft that served here.

The eight-pointed cross is painted on the fins of 1435 Flight aircraft.