The victory of the Maltese against the overwhelming might of the French forces in 1800 (‘1800 victory over the French’, March 16) is also noteworthy for the fact that, for the very first time in their long history, the Maltese people elected one of their own to the rank of general, commanding indigenous Maltese troops against a foreign invader.

I refer, of course, to the remarkable Notary Emanuele Vitale who, having led the successful assault on Mdina on September 3, 1798 was, the next day, unanimously elected commandante generale of the Maltese troops by acclamation.

The hardship of the campaign cost the general his health. He died a few months after being made governor of Gozo by the British in August 1801.

I relate his full story in my book Of Maltese Generals and Admirals. Vitale was buried at the Matrice, in Gozo but there is no trace of his grave in that church. Surely, this great patriot deserves a fitting monument to his memory.