The British High Commissioner to Malta, Louise Stanton, has been honoured by the Queen for her role in the evacuation operation from Libya.

“I am absolutely thrilled and feel so honoured that my contribution has been recognised in such a manner,” Ms Stanton, who was given the title of officer of the Order of the British Empire, said when contacted yesterday.

Ms Stanton’s deputy, Carole Johnson, was awarded the title of member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

About 1,200 people, including 500 British citizens, had been evacuated from the North African country when the revolution against Muammar Gaddafi started in the beginning of last year.

“It was a huge operation and we needed military assistance. We sent military planes to the desert to pick up workers and HMS Cumberland operated three trips to Benghazi,” she said.

Ms Stanton recalled the first time HMS Cumberland docked at Grand Harbour after travelling for over 20 hours.

“When I got on the ship I remember seeing all those people, wrapped in blankets... They were so relieved and so grateful to the Royal Navy... They had their whole life in a rucksack... It was a really amazing experience to be part of something that helped bring people to safety... I remember thinking: This is why I do this job,” she said adding that this would not have been achieved without the help of the Maltese government.