On Saturday 29th April 2023, The Royal Air Forces Association Malta G.C. held a service of
Remembrance at the Commonwealth Air Forces Memorial in Floriana, the monument is more commonly known as the Malta Memorial.
The Memorial is dedicated
“TO THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE AIR FORCES OF THE COMMONWEALTH”
The Malta Memorial was built by the Imperial War Graves Commission in memory of the 2,301 Airmen who lost their lives during the Second World War whilst serving with the Commonwealth Air Forces flying from basis in Malta, Austria, Italy, Sicily, Tunisia, Morocco, West Africa, Yugoslavia, Islands of the Adriatic and Gibraltar, and who have no known grave.
Because of its pivotal contribution to the Air War in the Mediterranean, Malta was chosen for the location of the memorial.
Built on land donated by the Government of Malta, it is located in the area of Floriana, to the south side of the Triton Fountain close to City Gate, the entrance to Malta’s capital city, Valletta. The Malta Memorial was unveiled on 3rd May 1954 by Queen Elizabeth ll.
The Malta Memorial is identified by the Gilded Bronze Golden Eagle which sits atop the 15 m (49 ft) column of Travertine marble, from Tivoli in the Sabine Hills near Rome.
It is carved with a light netted pattern and surmounted by a gilded bronze eagle 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in) high.
The monument was designed by Sir Hubert Worthington, while the eagle which surmounts the column is the work of the sculptor Charles Wheeler.
On this Occasion of Remembrance, The Royal Air Force Association Malta G.C. Branch would like to acknowledge the assistance given for this Wreath Laying Ceremony by:
Armed Forces of Malta
The Trumpeters of the Armed Forces of Malta
Mr. Mark Fitzgerald and his staff at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Superintendent Josric Mifsud of the Malta Police Force Valletta District
The Padres The Reverend Ian Rutherford and Mgn. Alfred Vella
Those would laid wreaths on this solemn occasion are as follows:
His Excellency The President Of Malta Dr George Vella
Deputy British High Commissioner Tristian Gilchrist
Deputy Australian High Commissioner
Military Attaché to the Ambassador United States of America
Representative of the Armed Forces of Malta
South Africa Consul
Mayor of Floriana
War Graves Commissioner
Royal Air Force Association
Royal British Legion
Royal Naval Association
George Cross Island Association
Source: Stephen McCarthy RBL Malta
