A hundred years ago, Royal Malta Artillery Captain A. J. Gatt left Malta to join the Allied Forces in Gallipoli, Turkey.

Gatt had a distinguished army career. He joined the Royal Malta Artillery (RMA) in 1902, served during World War I with the Royal Army Ordnance Cops at Gallipoli, where he was awarded the Military Cross, and later mentioned in despatches. He also served in Greek Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, European Turkey and the islands of the Aegean Sea.

In 1908, Capt. Gatt went to Messina to help after the earthquake there. After the war, he rejoined his regiment and was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

In 1931 he was appointed ADC to the Governor, until he assumed command of the RMA in 1935.

In 1940, he was appointed Commander of the Fixed Defences Malta with the rank of Brigadier, an appointment he held for nearly two years.

Retiring from the active service, Gatt was appointed Colonel Commandant of the RMA in 1942, the first RMA Officer to hold such a post.

Gatt died on June 5, 1950. Having had such a distinguished military career, he was given a full military funeral, with the Royal Artillery (Malta) Band playing Chopin’s Funeral March at Santa Marija Addolorata Cemetery.

Taking part in the funeral were Major W. L. Bonello, Colonial ADC, representing the Governor, and M. Bonello, representing Prime Minister Paul Boffa.

Brigadier A. J. D. Ronald, Commander, Royal Artillery; Lt Col E. J. Salomone, Officer Commanding 2nd HAA Regiment RMA; Lt Col J. V. Abela, Commanding 1st Coast Regiment, RMA; and Major J. A. Sammut acted as pall-bearers.

At the gate of the cemetery, these were joined by Lt Col V. C. Micallef and Lt Col J. Terrent.

Also attending the funeral were the Consul General for Turkey and officers from the Turkish navy.