During one of my many visits to Boffa Hospital while working as a volunteer with the Hospice Movement, I noticed a stone inserted in one of the walls along the main corridor with the following inscription below it: “This stone was recovered from the Houses of Parliament London after enemy action in 1941 and is placed here to commemorate the fellowship which, under God’s Providence, exists between the peoples of Malta and Britain”.

The hospital was formerly named after King George V (KVG). It was originally opened in 1922 as a memorial to the men of the Merchant Navy who lost their lives during World War I.

I am rather intrigued how this piece of masonry from such a famous building in London found its way to Malta; obviously I share the sentiment behind it. I just cannot find any further information as to how it got here. Asking around, I was told that, after a heavy air raid, damage was caused to the Houses of Parliament in London and an enterprising high-ranking naval officer caused the stone to be recovered and brought here on his ship. I shall be very grateful if anyone has any further information.

The hospital’s chapel is adorned with beautiful stained glass, which is likely to have originated from England.