On Thursday, 12 Apri1, a total of 60 former HMS Ganges personnel, wives, partners and friends will be coming to Malta to join in the celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the award of the Cross of St George to the people of Malta.

Many of these travelling are now in their 70s and 80s and have many memories and stories to tell of their experiences whilst in Maltese territory. Some have never been back to Malta since their war time experiences and reminisce about the generous Maltese people and good times they had in such dark and turbulent times.

Due to their ages, for many this is a pilgrimage to say goodbye to lost friends and family and celebrate the achievement of the Maltese people since those traumatic times.

At least three members of the party served on HMS Kenya during Operation Pedestal (Santa Maria). During this operation, out of the 15 merchant ships that attempted to get aid to the Maltese people, only five managed to arrive.

A full itinerary has been drawn up for the one-week stay, with some people staying on for two weeks. On Friday, 13 April they hope to meet any ex HMS Ganges or naval personnel in Malta to “swing the lamp”.

The meeting will be held at the Suncrest Hotel in Qawra from 7pm until the last man drops. There will be opportunities to catch up with old friends and maybe make some new ones, and they will all reminisce about Tony’s bar, The Gut, etc.

There will be a gala buffet with live band on Monday, 16 April, at a cost of €18 per head, and a Uckers challenge will be held on Tuesday.

Ex naval veterans will be proudly joining the parade on the Sunday evening in Valletta with two standards being paraded – those of HMS Kenya and HMS Ganges Nottinghamshire area.