A new plaque that honours bomb disposal heroes of Malta was unveiled by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. The plaque honours those who have carried out the dangerous task of bomb disposal in Malta in World War 2 and since.
The plaque commemorates the exceptional achievements of the Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal Sections in World War 2, whose role was the protection of people and property across Malta and Gozo from the danger of unexploded bombs. In just two years between 1940 and 1942, a maximum of two officers and 30 men dealt with 7,300 unexploded bombs – some 10 times the average across all theatres of war.
The plaque also recognises the continued work by the Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal and then of the Armed Forces of Malta since to clear unexploded World War 2 bombs from the island.
The proposal for a plaque was approved by the government of Malta in February 2017. It was funded entirely through donations and sponsorship from families and veterans’ organisations of the Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal. Heritage Malta provided extensive administrative support to the project.
Informed of the plaque project in her role as Colonel in Chief of the Royal Engineers, the Queen sent her good wishes to all those involved.
Major sponsorship came from explosive ordnance disposal and training specialists Praedium Consulting Malta (PCM) Ltd, whose managing director, Ben Remfrey MBE, is a veteran of Royal Engineers bomb disposal. Addressing guests at the unveiling, Ben Remfrey spoke of the legacy of the World War 2 bomb disposal men which still inspires those undertaking this hazardous work today.
Families of the RE Bomb Disposal Sections in World War 2 and other veterans travelled to Malta for the unveiling, where they were joined by former and current bomb disposal officers of Armed Forces of Malta. As well as the Prime Minister of Malta, the unveiling was attended by 90 guests, including the Minister of Culture and the British High Commissioner.
Addressing guests at the unveiling ceremony, the Prime Minister spoke of the enormous challenge facing the Bomb Disposal Sections in World War 2, when 17,000 tons of bombs were dropped on the Island. More bombs fell on Malta in April 1942 than in an entire year of the blitz on London.
Thanking the government and donors who made the plaque possible, project co-ordinator Susan Hudson said: “In 1940, when the first bomb disposal men began their work, their courageous actions were repeatedly recognised as outstanding and many medals were awarded. But extraordinary actions became the day to day – though each took no less exceptional courage to perform. So this plaque will, I hope, stand as fitting recognition for all of those extraordinary individual acts of courage, to be acknowledged for generations to come.”
Susan Hudson addressing the guests.