I am surprised that a person, living in Australia, has the nerve to criticise a royal award when his very country sports the Union Jack as part of its flag. Has Paul Calleja (July 9) ever carried out a campaign to remove such a colonial symbol from the flag of Australia, and of New Zealand? To correct a slip by Mr Calleja, it is important to remember that the George Cross is the highest civil decoration ever awarded by the Sovereign of Great Britain. In fact it is the civilian counterpart of the Victoria Cross.

When King George VI announced the new award, he said: "In order that they should be worthily and promptly recognised, I have decided to create, at once, a new mark of honour for men and women in all walks of civilian life. I propose to give my name to this new distinction, which will consist of the George Cross, which will rank next to the Victoria Cross. Thus the George Cross carries the same importance and is not lesser than the Victoria Cross. The George Cross is granted in recognition of 'acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger'."

I also disagree with Mr Calleja about the reason for the award. I have the honour to state that I actually lived during that dangerous period.

The inhabitants did not need any award to boost their morale which, in face of extreme hardship, was as high as ever. The Maltese were more afraid of the Nazi Germans than the bombs falling on their heads.

Independent of unfounded rumours, especially from certain elite local circles, Malta was never betrayed to the fascists. I ask Mr Calleja if he is really and fully aware of the atrocities carried out by the Nazis. Were it not for Britain, Malta would have succumbed to that cruel regime.

For the public it is important to note that there have been two collective awards, namely to the Maltese people and the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Using his own very logic, one would be tempted to opt for a completely new flag as after all the red and white ensign is reputed to originate from the coat of arms of Count Roger the Norman. Is that not servile colonialism?

What would have happened to the people if Malta had capitulated, following the example of Singapore? The George Cross citation reads: "To honour her brave people, I award the George Cross to the Island Fortress of Malta to bear witness to a heroism and devotion that will long be famous in history." The official reply was: "By God's help Malta will not weaken but will endure until victory is won."

The George Cross was not the only honour that Malta received during the war. The President of the United States likewise honoured our people and a marble plaque fixed on the walls of the President's Palace reminds one and all of the said message.