Veterans of the war who are members of the George Cross Island Association and were in Malta to pay tribute to the dead were entertained to a programme by the Armed Forces of Malta Band, under the baton of Lieutenant John Ivan Borg.

The event is organised for them each year when they travel to Malta specifically to pay tribute to the more than 7,000 Maltese civilians and Maltese and Allied servicemen and women who gave their lives here during the Second World War.

The GCIA came into being 20 years ago to commemorate the 1940-43 Siege of Malta, and to provide a focal point for those who lived through that harrowing event. It was founded in 1987 when a former seaman, the late Fred Plenty – who served in the famous Santa Maria Convoy (Operation Pedestal) – helped form a number of district GCIA Branches in UK. The Malta GC Branch was formed some months later, with an original overall membership of over 2,000 – now depleted but topped up with some of the children and grandchildren who joined to keep the GCIA alive, once the veterans had passed away.

Earlier in the week, GCIA members celebrated the anniversary of the award of the George Cross to the people of Malta at the GCIA Siege Bell Monument near the lower barrakka in Valletta. On ANZAC Day, a GCIA delegation attended an ecumenical service and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Pietà military cemetery.

President Emeritus Censu Tabone, president of the GCIA, was hosted by the Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta, Brigadier Carmel Vassallo at the band display.

The 20th anniversary year is special for the GCIA, as age is catching up with many of the WW2 veterans, many of whom are in their mid or late 80s with just a very few – including Dr Tabone who is 94 – over 90.

Over 60 members attended the St George’s Day dinner of the British Residents’ Association at the Preluna Hotel in Sliema. The GCIA will also be represented at social events at the Royal British Legion (Malta Branch) in Valletta. Other functions will be an ecumenical church service at St Paul’s pro-Cathedral and a gala dinner at the Victoria Hotel, Sliema.