A couple of weeks ago, while in Valletta, I noticed a troop of Sea Cadets assembling by Wembley Store. Being of a curious nature I got closer and noticed that the kit bags they were carrying had the logo of Westerham Sea Cadets.

Having lived in Kent for the best part of my life and being very conversant with that particular area due to my fascination with Sir Winston Churchill, who lived at Chartwell, I approached one of the leaders and asked why these youngsters were in Malta.

I was touched by what I was told and feel that these fine young men and women deserve some acknowledgement.

The unit takes its name from HMS Gallant, a G class destroyer. In 1941, the ship was holed by a mine while protecting the Malta convoys. Sadly, 65 sailors lost their lives. The ship was towed into the Grand Harbour for repairs. Unfortunately, it was hit during one of the many air raids and was deemed unrepairable.

During World War II, Sevenoakes and the surrounding area had adopted HMS Gallant. One survivor who was one of the longest serving members of the crew, Cyril Edwards, in later years became a friend of the cadet unit visiting then on numerous occasions.

Edwards always expressed his wish to return to Malta to pay his respect to his fallen comrades but, alas, he never made it as he passed away in 2012.

The cadet unit provided a guard of honour at his funeral.

The cadets approached the leaders and expressed their wishes to carry out Edwards’ wish to come to Malta. Through many fundraising events, enough money was collected to enable their visit.

That particular morning they were assembling to proudly march through Valletta carrying wreaths, which they were laying at the Bell War Memorial.

Through their deeds they thus carried out the wishes expressed by one Cyril Edwards.

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