In the afternoon of June 8, 1940, the British navy suffered one of its worst naval disasters. The aircraft carrier HMS Glorious along with its two destroyer escorts HMS Ardent and HMS Acasta were sunk in battle by two German battleships Gneisenau and Scharnhorst. For Malta this will always be our worst naval disaster. The British navy lost over 1,531 men, over 50 of whom were Maltese.

This tragedy happened as the British forces were with-drawing from Norway after more than two months trying to gain a secure foothold in the country. The German forces proved to be better equipped and their planning was far better than that of the allies.

The main reason for the Germans and the Allies wanting to occupy Norway and Sweden was because both needed the iron ore found in abundance in Scandinavian countries.

The withdrawal from Narvik in Norway was to be as secretive and as fast as possible so that the Germans would not have time to hinder or even stop such a retreat. Two convoys were formed just off Narvik, Norway.

One must mention that at this time the lessons learnt from Dunkirk were still burning deep in the minds of the British government and although everyone remembers the Dunkirk evacuation as a miracle others will point out that there was a lot amiss in the whole operation before and after the evacuation.

During the battle the German battleship Scharnhorst received a torpedo hit fired from the doomed Acasta causing the German forces to retreat. No survivors from the Acasta were picked up by the Germans and the British navy, unaware of the tragedy that had  taken place, made no effort to rescue them. It is estimated that over 900 men were left in the freezing water. Many succumbed to the cold in a few hours. Of these 900 men only 41 were rescued three day later when Norwegian ships happened to sail in that direction on their way to the Faroe Islands. Unfortunately, there were no Maltese survivors.

On June 10, the Admiralty announced that the three ships had indeed been sunk by two German battleships. Many questions were asked as to why a capital ship like HMS Glorious was allowed to leave the safety of the convoy and allowed to return home with just two destroyer escorts. Glorious did manage to send one radio message informing that it had been engaged by two German battleships.

This message was picked up by the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire under the command of Vice Admiral John Cunningham. Cunningham suppressed this message, kept radio silence and continued on his way. On board the Devonshire the Norwegian royal family as well as the Norwegian Parliament and Norwegian gold were on their way to England and safety. No action was taken by Cunningham.

The British Parliament came under a barrage of questions as to why and how this tragedy had occurred. A conspiracy rumour was going around that maybe the three ships had acted as decoys to safeguard the convoys as well as the Devonshire. Both convoys as well as Devonshire reached their destinations without any mishaps. In view of all this and other matters the Defence Ministry decided to close all documents relating to the Glorious tragedy for a period of 100 years under the Secrecy Act.

The closure of all the documents was a bitter blow to all the relatives of the men who died on the three ships. All of them wanted information regarding their loved ones. Many received incorrect information or no information at all. Many asked their political representatives for answers but none could be given. And so the story remained just that, a story retold from one generation to the other, until in 1997 a documentary, The Tragedy of HMS Glorious, was shown on television in the UK.

Armed with this information and a book by John Winton called Carrier Glorious these relatives put pressure on their political representatives. The Freedom of Information Act 2000 raised hope that finally the truth as to what happened would be released. However, within the Act itself there are exemptions that can retain or refuse to make documents available for viewing.

The year 2000 also happened to be the 60th anniversary since the tragedy occurred and a few relatives in the UK decided to organise a supposedly one-off commemoration service at St Nicholas Church. HMS Drake followed by the Service of Remembrance and Swordfish flypast at the Plymouth Hoe Naval War Memorial. Both of these services were attended by Jonathan Galea, First Secretary, Malta High Commission. Even at this early stage, the role of the Maltese was appreciated by the UK relatives as many knew that a large number of them were on Glorious when it was sunk.

HMS Glorious as an aircraft carrier in Grand Harbour in the 1930s.

The Defence Ministry decided to close all documents relating to the Glorious tragedy for a period of 100 years under the Secrecy Act

The following year, on June 9, 2001, Maltese High Commissioner George Bonello Dupuis and his wife attended and laid a wreath at Plymouth Hoe Naval Memorial representing all the Maltese men who died on that day. Dr Dupuis also represented the deep bond that ties the two nations together. Many English sailors met and married Maltese girls and today their families form part of our rich cultural society.

After the first service, participants expressed their surprise at the large number of relatives in attendance and their willingness to hold a similar service the following year. The following year more people attended, regretful that they had missed out on the initial service. It was agreed that such services should be held annually, keeping the memory of these men alive.

On June 2, 2002 it was agreed that an association be formed under the name of Glarac. Glarac is an acronym formed from the first two letters of the aircraft carrier Glorious and her two destroyer escorts Ardent and Acasta.

From the onset people within the Glarac Association knew the importance that HMS Glorious had for the Maltese. Many articles in Maltese and in English were published in local newspapers. However, due to lack of information regarding the story nothing else happened. It was just a story told by relatives to the younger generation. Some even had their house named ‘Glorious’, while others were proud of the fact that they were named in remembrance of their father or grandfather or uncle who had perished on HMS Glorious.

Eddie Fenech Adami talking to 93-year-old Carmela Spiteri about her husband Francesco after the commemorative service on February 17, 2008.

Shortly after the Glarac Association committee was formed, David Woodcock, the association’s new chairman, visited Malta for a holiday retracing his father’s steps. His father John Fredrick Woodcock was Master at Arms on the Glorious during her time serving in the Mediterranean. He also trained St Georges FC during a very important part of their football history in 1927 when St Georges won the Cousis Shield.

Woodcock had an article printed in this newspaper which resulted in him meeting Vincent Zahra. Woodcock and Zahra had both lost a father and a brother respectively on the Glorious. A friendship had been struck and would continue until Zahra’s demise.

Another member of the Glarac family, Kevin Walsh, came to Malta and looked up Zahra. Walsh had also lost a brother on the Glorious and when the idea of a commemorative plaque for Malta was broached both agreed that it had to happen.

Back in the UK, Walsh spoke to his nephew Vinny Marcroft about his meeting with Zahra and both approached the Glarac Association with their idea. The association unanimously agreed to the presentation of a plaque to the Maltese. The association treasurer David Emery MBE took over and was instrumental in the design and manufacture of the plaque.

My brother-in-law, Fred Mallia, ex RAF and his wife Carmen, who live in Cambridgeshire, were contacted regarding a helping hand the organisation needed for such an event. Mallia lost an uncle, Francis Polidano, from Floriana, on the Glorious. Mallia in turn contacted his sisters, Mary Iraci and Iris, and together worked towards this event. Mario Tabone, chairman of Heritage Malta, was approached and agreed to help in any way possible.

The plaque was to be donated to the Maritime Museum in Vittoriosa. It was agreed that the plaque was to be presented on February 17, 2008. President Eddie Fenech Adami graciously accepted to attend and unveil the commemorative plaque.

Speeches were made by Woodcock, Dr Tabone and Dr Fenech Adami. All expressed their sorrow for the hurt that still exists and cannot heal especially when conflicts around us serve as a stark reminder of the futility of war. Afterwards, Dr Fenech Adami and Woodcock unveiled the plaque, followed by a reception.

Wreath bearers 2001, from left: HMS Glorious survivor Kenneth Cleave, Glorious crew members H. Hoose and Joe Brown and Maltese High Commissioner George Bonello Dupuis. David Woodcock, in dark glasses, and Mrs Bonello Dupuis are seen in the background.

Dr Fenech Adami was introduced to the only surviving widow present, 93-year-old Carmela Spiteri from Nadur. He was amazed at the way Carmela could retell the last days before her husband left her, never to be seen again. Holding Francesco’s photos in her hand she went back in time as if it was yesterday, leaving Dr Fenech Adami and all those listening in admiration to a woman holding onto the man she loved.

In the years that followed the first service the attendance of relatives was not as expected. People thought that this was just a one-off service. Later on I started to phone people explaining to them that their attendance was very important. I collected many photos of the Maltese men who died on the Glorious and had them placed on boards for all to see.

The year 2015 was the 75th anniversary since the tragedy of HMS Glorious. A large number of people attended the service. President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca graciously accepted the invitation to unveil a commemorative plaque in Maltese, marking the 75th anniversary of this tragedy. I produced a video presentation about the tragedy which was well received. A small token replica plaque of the one unveiled by the President was given to those present.

The President spoke of the conflicts still raging around us and the suffering of innocent men, women and children who escape these conflicts at great peril and with great suffering. She hoped and wished that every-one could look to a bright future without fear.

The Glarac Association (Malta) would like more people to come forward so that together we can all pray and keep their memory alive. If anyone wishes to share information about any of the men from HMS Glorious they can contact me using the information below.

Every year a memorial service is held at the Maritime Museum in Vittoriosa during which relatives of Maltese seamen as well as other Glarac members from the UK get together. This year the service will be held on March 26 starting with Mass at St Lawrence parish church in Vittoriosa at 10am, followed by refreshment at the parish hall.

For more information call Saviour Azzopardi on 7983 5319 or e-mail salvuazz@hotmail.com.

Saviour Azzopardi is chairman of the Glarac Association (Malta).