Walter Debattista, president 3/11 Regt.RMA (T) Association writes:

Thank you dear comrade! That was the only, but heartfelt, expression that could be uttered by all the former officers and men of the 3/11 Regiment RMA(T) on hearing of the death of our dear comrade George.

George Pace Balzan, the officer with the constant kind words, never angry at anyone, never flustered in any situation, always enthusiastic in whatever he's doing and, above all, an officer and a gentleman in the best of military traditions.

George Pace Balzan was a man of many talents, all present and constantly put to good use but, somehow, screened behind a mine of humility and practicality in whatever he was doing and wherever. He was a very efficient civil servant but also an excellent military officer. To that add his prowess as an excellent hockey player, as manager of his regiment's all-conquering table-tennis and tennis teams, as a designer and builder of precise and artistic scale models of guns, radars, military vehicles, gun positions, military crests and whatnot.

George lived during World War II and knew its historic facts on the tips of his fingers. He often expressed his regrets with us in the 3/11 Regiment RMA(T) Association that not enough is known by Malta's present youths about what this country and, particularly, its soldiers went through during that war. He spoke about it in detail and also wrote interesting articles.

For the occasion of our association's 35th anniversary, he researched a Malta map showing where, during the war, the light anti-aircraft guns (Bofors), manned by men of the 3 LAA Regiment of the Royal Malta Artillery and those of the 32nd, 65th and 74th LAA Regiments of the Royal Artillery, were deployed around the island and copies of this map were presented to HQ AFM, the British High Commissioner and the Prime Minister of the time, Eddie Fenech Adami.

George remained in love with military matters right up to his last days at Casa Arkati. Inevitably, of course, he was a great supporter of our association and we shall all miss him very much.

To his relatives, go our condolences and assurances of prayers.