Technical supervisor at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Malta, awarded MBE

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission Technical Supervisor for Malta has recently been awarded the MBE for services to the CWGC.

This is the second time a Fitzgerald has been awarded the MBE for services rendered to the CWGC; the previous recipient was Mark’s father, Peter Paul Fitzgerald MBE, who held the same post until 2009.

Mark Fitzgerald has been working for the Commission since 1993 and has now been awarded in recognition for  his work across CWGC sites on Malta, where he has been technical supervisor for the last 11 ½ years.

Mark is in charge of all the work that is carried out in Malta with the help of a fantastic team of workers that look after the CWGC commitment scattered all over the Island.   He carries out his work with sheer passion and dedication. He is responsible for organising many CWGC projects in the country, as well liaising with Government entities, banks, voluntary organisations and other groups with an interest in Malta’s military heritage.

All the working colleagues at CWGC speak very highly of Mr Fitzgerald, his enthusiasm and his professional approach to his work and his colleagues.  He is well-known for going out of his way to assist tourists and visitors to the sites. On his part, Mark said that he could not have achieved al this without the help and support of his family, his work colleagues and volunteers.

Malta played a vital role in both the First and Second World Wars. During the First World War Malta became known as the “Nurse of the Mediterranean”, after more than 20 hospitals were set up on the Island to accommodate wounded soldiers coming from across the Eastern Mediterranean theatre of war.

Eventually, many of those who died were buried in various cemeteries in Malta.  During the Second World War, Malta became known as “the most bombed place on earth” and suffered high numbers of casualties, many of whom are buried in Malta.

The CWGC in Malta looks after nearly 10,000 graves of service personnel and service families, ranging from Pre WW1 and WW1, the inter-war period, WW2 and post WW2. The most visited cemeteries include Kalkara (Capuccini) Naval Cemetery, Pieta Military Cemetery and Imtarfa Military Cemetery.

An initiative undertaken last year by Mr Fitzgerald was the introduction of guided tours at Kalkara, Pieta’ and Imtarfa cemeteries. In normal conditions the tour times are as follows:

 

Kalkara Naval Cemetery: Monday and Wednesday 0900 - 1230

Imtarfa Military Cemetery: Monday, Wednesday and Friday  0900 -1230

Pieta Military Cemetry: Upon request

 

For more information kindly call:  99891837 or Mtarfa Office 21450107