Monument

Malta Siege

Erection date: 15/8/2005

Inscription

{On the south face:}
Malta G.C. The Siege of 1940-43
In 1940 the sinister shadow of Fascism spilled across Europe and into North Africa.  Malta, under the protection of Great Britain, found herself alone in a hostile Mediterranean 800 miles from her nearest allies in Gibraltar and Alexandria.  Besieged by enemies Malta became a fulcrum on which the fate of the war balanced for the next three years.  If Malta fell the rest of North Africa would follow, opening the door to the oil fields of the Middle East and for the Axis Powers to join in Asia and threaten India.  The allies knew this.  So did the Axis Powers.  Malta, besieged, became and remains the most bombed place in the history of War.

Supplied only by Sea, at great cost, Malta was defended not only by her own people but by forces drawn from the whole free world.  Fighter aircraft delivered by the American and Royal Navies were piloted by Britons, Canadians, Australians, and New Zealanders.  Convoys crewed by British, American and Commonwealth seamen were supported by the free forces of Greece, the Netherlands, and Poland.  Free Norwegians added their merchant fleet to the Allied cause.  In April 1942 King George VI awarded to the People of Malta the George Cross, the highest decoration for civilian courage and heroism.

By summer 1942 only weeks of food remained and the Allies mounted operation Pedestal as a last attempt to save Malta. After a five-day running battle the Convoy's four remaining merchant vessels and the immortal Tanker Ohio, all that was left of the fourteen that set out, entered Grand Harbour.  The date was 15th August, 1942, the feast of Santa Maria.  The siege was broken; within months North Africa was retaken and the first steps of European liberation begun.

This stone taken from Malta, was presented by the Maltese Government on the 60th Anniversary of the end of Second World War to commemorate all who participated in the siege and defence of Malta, 1940-43.

Placed by the George Cross Island Association, 15th August 2005.

{The west face carries a map showing the “Theatre of operations of the Mediterranean Fleet”.}

{On the east face:}
{Below the royal crest and a George Cross:}
The Governor, Malta.
To honour her brave people I award the George Cross to the island fortress of Malta to bear witness to a heroism and devotion that will long be famous in history.
George RI
April 15th 1942
The citation from King George VI to the Governor of Malta 

{Below an icon showing a shield with the Stars and Stripes and the Union Jack:}
“In the name of people of the United States of America I salute the island of Malta, its people and defenders, who, in the cause of freedom and justice and decency throughout the world, have rendered valourous service far and above the call of duty.  Under repeated fire from the skies, Malta stood alone but unafraid in the center of the sea, one tiny, bright flame in the darkness - - a beacon of hope for the clearer days which have come.
Malta’s bright story of human fortitude and courage will be read by posterity with wonder and gratitude through all the ages.  What was done in this island maintains the highest traditions of gallant men and women who from the beginning of time have lived and died to preserve civilization for all mankind.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
7th December 1943
The tribute read by President Roosevelt when he visited Malta. 

{The north face carries a detailed time-line of the siege which we have put in our record for that event.}

The solid block of stone for the memorial came from Gozo, one of the three inhabited islands that make up Malta. This stone was easily available in Britain after the war since it was used as ballast in the returning supply ships. The inscriptions are carried on slate panels.

We love the contrast between the oh-so-British citation from King George VI and the Hollywoodesque tribute from President Roosevelt. Roosevelt's tribute has two words with the American spelling, which is fine, but isn't it odd that the date on the American tribute is in the British format and the date on the British citation is in the American format?

Site: Malta Siege (1 memorial)

EC3, Byward Street, All Hallows by the Tower

The church in the background is All Hallows by the Tower and the memorial is apparently within the grounds of the church but we cannot find the connection with Malta.  Why is the memorial here rather than anywhere else in London?  The church's website doesn't even mention Malta.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Malta Siege

Subjects commemorated i

Malta Siege

According to Wikipedia Malta has been besieged four times.  For the reason of...

Read More

World War 2

Sorry, we've done no research on WW2, it's just too big a subject. But do vis...

Read More

People of Malta

On 15 April 1942 King George VI awarded the people of Malta the George Cross ...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Malta Siege

Created by i

George Cross Island Association

From the picture source website: "The association came into being to commemor...

Read More

King George VI

Became king when his brother, Edward VIII, abdicated. Like his father George ...

Read More

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

32nd President of USA. Married a distant cousin, Eleanor Roosevelt. Led the S...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Holy Trinity war memorial - WW1 + WW2

Holy Trinity war memorial - WW1 + WW2

N4, Granville Road, Holy Trinity church garden

See our page for the WW1 memorial to which this unusual tablet is affixed for an explanation.

2 subjects commemorated
Burney Street Garden

Burney Street Garden

SE10, Burney Street

From the Greenwich Society website we learn that this garden was created by the Society out of a bomb site.  The Victorian-style marble m...

1 creator
J. Lyons war memorial - original location

J. Lyons war memorial - original location

UB6, Greenford Road

This photo shows a section of the list of names. See our page for the memorial in its current location for the the complete list of names...

Bermondsey garden

Bermondsey garden

SE1, Tower Bridge Road, St Mary Magdalen garden

14 April 2012 this garden reopened after 6 months of restoration.  The church's website gives some of the history of the church.

1 subject commemorated, 4 creators
Islington war shrine

Islington war shrine

N1, Islington Green

We believe Higham funded this temporary memorial, rather than just putting in an appearance at the unveiling.

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator