The mournful tolls of the Siege Bell echoed over the calm waters of Grand Harbour yesterday as decorated World War II veterans and numerous dignitaries marked the 71st anniversary of the award of the George Cross.
The young generation needs to be taught of the bravery of their forefathers
Organised by the George Cross Island Association, the remembrance service recalled “our fellow citizens, who laid down their lives for us” and “the ideals we served”.
Prayers were offered for all those who suffered as a result of war: the injured and the disabled, the mentally distressed, the homeless and refugees, the hungry as well as all those who lost their livelihood and security.
President George Abela laid a wreath at the foot of the monument. Various dignitaries followed suit, including the American Ambassador, the British and Australian High Commissioners and the honorary consuls to New Zealand and Canada.
The King’s Own Regiment Association also laid a wreath, following a three-year absence fuelled by disagreements between the association and the GCIA.
And as the sound of the bell filled the air, one could almost smooth away the marks of toil and age etched into the siege veterans’ faces and visualise them as the young soldiers they once were, sweating blood for our island.
Major Maurice Agius, 91, was one of the founder members of the GCIA and contributed towards the setting up of the Siege Bell Memorial. He considers the presentation of the George Cross to the Maltese as “a great honour”.
However, he also recalls another honour that is seldom talked about.
“On April 4, 1942, prior to being awarded the George Cross, King George VI phoned the Governor to assume the Colonelcy-in-Chief of the Royal Malta Artillery, in recognition of their skill and determination.
“We spent three years firing arms at the enemy. The Luftwaffe was considered ‘the scourge of Europe’. And we stood up to them,” Major Agius said proudly.
He fondly recalled a particular episode, when he was still a youth courting Sheila Chalmers, who later became his wife. “We were at the Marsa race course sipping tea, when an air raid rose. I comforted Sheila and told her to wait for me there as I needed to be off to fire some guns.
“I thought she’d be afraid. But her only request was that of a second cup of tea,” he smiled.
“I only wish that the Royal Malta Artillery will not be lost in oblivion. The young generation needs to be taught of the bravery of their forefathers.”
Or else, as siege veteran Lino Camilleri said during the remembrance service: “When you go home tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today.”
Association president to stand down
Former minister Michael Refalo is to step down as honorary president of the George Cross Island Association for health reasons.
His successor is also expected to be of Maltese lineage, in line with the wishes of association patron the Duke of Edinburgh.
Mr Refalo announced his imminent resignation during a courtesy visit he and other association officials paid to President George Abela yesterday.
He thought back to previous years, when association membership numbers were at their peak.
“I remember more than 1,000 members coming to Malta back in 1987. I was tourism minister at the time, and I knew each of those members could be ambassadors for our country,” he told the President.
Mr Refalo will step down after four years as honorary president, having succeeded former President Ċensu Tabone in 2009.
Time may have whittled down the GCIA members’ list – there are some 117 members of the association’s Malta branch today – but members said they were optimistic the association would continue to live on through the generations.
President Abela praised the association for its hard work in keeping the memory of the 1942 siege of Malta alive.
The GCIA was established in 1987 by retired naval officer Fred Plenty. Membership includes both Maltese and British from army, navy, air force, nursing, merchant navy and civilian backgrounds.
Additional reporting: Bertrand Borg.