The Maltese Embassy in Belgium has held a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate  Maltese servicemen who fell during the two World Wars on the Western Front. Some are buried in the Commonwealth war graves in Flanders but others do not have a known grave. The names of these Maltese buried in unknown graves are etched on memorials such as the Menin Gate in Yper and on the Memorial of Ploegsteert.

The ceremony was held choose at Ploegsteert, where the first of the Maltese died. He was Second Lieutenant Frederick Paul Bernard, who was killed in action on the 21 December 1914. He was 20 years old.

Ironically, this was the place where three days later, on Christmas Eve of 1914, the famous unofficial truce between the soldiers took place. Ploegsteert is at the border with France and is about an hour and a half away from Brussels.

The commemoration started with the lighting of the flames at the memorial. This was followed with the playing of the Last Post in honour and remembrance of the fallen. Wreaths were then laid by the Ambassador of Malta to Belgium Pierre Clive Agius who was accompanied by Major James Grixti, Deputy Military Representative at the Permanent representation of Malta to the EU.

Franklin Mamo, president of the Association of Maltese living in Belgium also laid a wreath. The commemoration was concluded with the Exaltation which was read out by Ambassador Agius.

The Mayor of Ploegsterrt, as well as other members of the Commune of Ploegsteert, were present.

The Maltese flag was hoisted at the Memorial during the commemoration.