Last Sunday 29 April, the final event in the two-week program of events commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Award of the George Cross to Malta, the Maltese Ex-Services Association led by its President, Mr Emmanuel Spiteri, held a ceremony at St Paul’s Chapel in Parkville.
Fr Noel Bianco MSSP celebrated Mass at 2.30 pm in a packed chapel. Among those present were the Consul-General of Malta. Mr Charles Mifsud and his wife Mrs Anna Maria Mifsud; the MCCV President Professor Maurice Cauchi and other members of the MCCV Executive; members of the Knights of St John of Malta; members of Religious Congregations; presidents and members of Maltese associations; and members of the Maltese community in Melbourne.
Mr Emmanuel Farrugia and Mrs Margaret Farrugia led the singing during mass. After the Entrance of the Colours accompanied by Fr Bianco and Mr Spiteri, MC Mr George Saliba welcomed the congregation and symbolic candles were lit.
Mrs Kelly Terriff and Mr Joe Borg read the first and second readings respectively, while Mrs Claire Chircop and Mrs Lillian Calleja carried the gifts to the Altar. After the homily, Mr Charles Mifsud made a commemorative speech for the occasion.
Mr Mifsud said that he felt greatly honoured to be present to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the granting of the George Cross to the Island and people of Malta.
Mr Mifsud gave some statistics about Malta’s suffering during the Second World War which led to the Award of the George Cross. “June 1940 was the start of a long and difficult period for Malta. The entry of Italy in the War against the allies commenced the Battle of Malta. Hardly had June 11th 1940 dawned on Malta, that it experienced the first air raid at 6.55 in the morning. Italian Bombers raided Malta and registered the first damages and casualties. The Battle of Malta lasted for nearly five years during which there were a total of 3,340 air raids making up a total time of 2,357 hours and six minutes of air attacks. A total of 30,027 civilian buildings were destroyed or damaged during the conflict. The last and final all clear was given at 9.00pm on the 28th August 1944,” said Mr Mifsud.
Mr Mifsud spoke about the gallantry and bravery of the defenders by quoting some figures:
• There were 454 aircraft destroyed or damaged by anti-aircraft guns, most of which were manned by Maltese personnel.
• The number of Maltese civilians only that died during the conflict was 1500
• The number of enemy aircraft shot down by Spitfires only between March and December 1942 was 790.
• In the order of battle the Luftwaffe boasted “During the period March 20 to April 28th 1942 ( a period of just over a month) ….in the course of 5807 sorties by bombers, 5667 by fighters and 345 by reconnaissance aircraft, 6,557,231 kilograms of bombs were dropped”
• This was almost as much as the total dropped on the whole of Britain at the height of the Battle of Britain, in September 1940.
Mr Mifsud said that “in all this heroic action, one cannot forget the contributions made by the Royal Navy with the numerous convoys, some successful some not, that were launched to replenish Malta. The inhabitants of the Maltese Island were suffering famine apart from the physical damaged caused by the intensive bombing. The Army present in Malta guarded Malta’s shores for the eventuality of an invasion, which, thank God, did not materialise. The courage and steadfastness of the Maltese people cannot be forgotten.”
“No wonder the People of Malta were awarded the George Cross – the highest civilian honour awarded by Britain. This award is close to the heart of the Maltese people and is still proudly flown on our national flag, where it should stay forever,” said Mr Mifsud.
Mr Mifsud said that as he was not around in the Second World War, he sometime wondered what would have been the tide of the War had Malta fell. “Just think: Rommel, having his supply routes unhindered, would have overrun North Africa and the Middle East; the invasion of Sicily in 1943 could not have been carried put; the whole of the Mediterranean would have been in enemy hands,” speculated Mr Mifsud.
“Today we remember these events by commemorating the award of the George Cross to Malta. It is with sadness that one observes that there is lack of recognition for Malta’s contribution to the War by the younger generation in Malta. These are events not to be forgotten and passed on to be lost in the annals of history. These are events which show all how cruel a war can be and should instil in all of us and our younger generation to do everything in our power to prevent further conflicts,” said Mr Mifsud.
Mr Mifsud had the good fortune of visiting one of the many military cemeteries in Luxembourg. He said that “one cannot but be saddened and shed a tear for those buried therein. Surely one would be more than moved when one seen the crosses with the names and ages of the soldiers who, for our freedom, gave their lives in the war. Most of the ages ranged between 19 and 24. They gave their lives in the war for our tomorrow.”
Mr Mifsud concluded his speech by appealing to all to remember these sacrifices made in the 1939-45 World War. “On this occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the granting of the George Cross to Malta, let us all promise not to wage war again. In remembrance of those fallen let us all say: Lest we forget,” said Mr Mifsud.
Mr Joe Stafrace read the Requiem. The President of the Association, Mr Emmanuel Spiteri, thanked all those who took part in the commemoration and those who assisted in the organisation of the ceremony.
Finally, Fr Bianco gave the Mass-concluding blessing.
After Mass, the congregation gathered around the George Cross monument situated between St Paul’s Chapel and the Maltese Centre for the Commemorative Ceremony.
After the playing and singing of the national anthems of Malta and Australia, Fr Bianco read out a prayer and blessed the monument which was inaugurated 20 years ago.
The MCCV President Professor Maurice Cauchi made a brief speech for the occasion and places a bouquet of native flowers at the foot of the monument. Representatives of other associations also placed flowers at the monument.
After The Ode, Last Post and The Rouse, Fr Bianco invited the congregation to recide the Lord’s Prayer. Sen. Const. Steve Harris from the Victoria Police Band played Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.
Following the ceremony light refreshments were served at the Maltese Centre. The event concluded with the showing of the video that was made available by Mr Joe Montebello about the inauguration of the George Cross Monument in Parkville on Sunday 17 May 1992.
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[Photos by Martin Bonnici Photography and Paul Vella]
