80 years ago, on 15 April 1942, Malta was awarded the Commonwealth’s highest civilian decoration for courage and heroism, known as the George Cross, by King George VI of Britain. 

The George Cross is an award that many see as symbolising the bravery and heroism of the men and women who lived and suffered through World War Two, when Malta became the most bombed place on the planet.

During one of the many daily air raids endured by the island at the time, the cross was carried by the new governor to the island, arriving at Kalafrana seaplane base on 7 May.

Once the air raids declined to an acceptable level, the cross was formally presented to the public on 13 September in a ceremony on the Palace Square in Valletta.

From 1943 onwards, the George Cross was embedded into Malta's flag, initially with a blue background behind it. The blue background was removed in 1964 upon Independence; however the George Cross itself remains present on the flag to this very day.

The Cross itself can, today, be seen at the National War Museum in Fort St. Elmo, Valletta.

In a post published on Facebook, the President of Malta George Vella wrote a message from Her Majesty the Queen on the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the award of the George Cross to Malta.

“As you commemorate the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the Award of the George Cross by my father, I would like to send my continued good wishes to the people of Malta whom I remember with great fondness. We continue to honour and admire Malta’s brave people, whose heroism and devotion will never be forgotten,” Queen Elizabeth said.

 

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