This was my first reunion since being elected chairman of the association and of the national council and I must first of all convey my thanks and appreciation to the people of Malta for making us feel so welcome and say how delighted we all are at the success of this year’s reunion.
Coming over to Malta from Ireland, where we live, with my wife and daughter, I must admit to feeling some trepidation in view of the rumours and press statements surrounding this year’s events. However, the feeling was soon dispelled when I met and saw the number of George Cross Island Association (GCIA) members from all branches attending the events and the splendid way the events were organised. Although the Malta Branch Caretaker Committee had, at the last moment, cancelled the events it had undertaken to organise, the UK members (65 of whom came to Malta specifically for the reunion) made a successful last ditch attempt to reinstate as many events as possible. My only regret is that due to the short time at our disposal, some of our Maltese members were either not informed or given sufficient notice to ensure their participation. I will make a point of informing our Maltese members in good time for the 2010 reunion.
We were however, delighted that so many of our members were able to attend and where possible I intend to write and thank all Malta branch members.
I also wish to put in proper perspective the possibility of the Malta branch secession from our association and refer to articles and letters published in a section of the Maltese press. I wish to state that I have been approached by a number of our Malta branch members anxious to see that any remaining differences, real or perceived, are resolved as soon as possible.
To this end my colleagues and I on the GCIA council invited the Malta branch Caretaker Committee for an informal discussion to clarify the situation. We stressed the value of the Malta branch members however insisting the branch should recognise Dr Michael Refalo as the honorary president of the association. I am pleased to say the GCIA Malta Branch has now declared its acceptance and recognition of Dr Refalo’s honorary presidency of the George Cross Island Association.
As it is the wish of the GCIA that the Malta branch continues to form part of the association, I asked Major Clews and his colleagues to give an assurance that the Malta branch would remain an integral part of our association. In reply Major Clews stated it was up to the extraordinary meeting to decide the issue, two members of the Caretaker Committee said they wished the Malta branch to remain within the GCIA while the other two did not express a preference.
My advice therefore, although Major Clews has since signified his intention to resign from the GCIA, is that all Malta branch members should attend the extraordinary general meeting scheduled for Thursday 7 May at 6pm at the British Legion Malta Branch headquarters at 141, Melita Street, Valletta and cast their vote in favour of remaining within the GCIA family.
Now back to the 2009 reunion.
On 15 April, the 67th anniversary of the George Cross award to Malta, our honorary president, Dr Refalo and I were graciously received in audience by His Excellency the President of Malta. I regard this event a great honour for the association as a whole. His Excellency was interested to know more about the GCIA and its history. We were also graced by His Excellency’s presence at the service and wreath-laying ceremony on the Siege Bell Memorial to honour fallen comrades, service personnel and civilians alike.
That evening, we were delighted to be the guests of the Malta Tourism Authority and watched a re-enactment of the award of the George Cross medal to Malta at Palace Square, Valletta – a spectacular event we thoroughly enjoyed.
Another highlight was the AFM band display on their Luqa headquarters, followed by a reception hosted by AFM Commander Brigadier Carmel Vassallo. We thank him, his officers and men, for a most enjoyable evening.
We also attended a commemorative service at St Paul’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral and thank the Reverend Bishop of Gibraltar for taking the service.
As those of our members who attended the events will certainly confirm, although under very difficult circumstances, we managed to organise and enjoy a very successful reunion and look forward to meeting our Maltese friends and their families again next year.
Finally, it is my pleasant duty to place on record that this success would not have been possible without the sterling help and great effort put in by our honorary national secretary, Julia Gaw, national council member Peggy Edwards and our honorary president.
Frank Thompson
Chairman of the Association and of the National Council GCIA