This Sunday 16 October, Battlefront Living History Group will present a series of events in Marsa commemorating the awarding of the George Cross to Malta in 1942

On 15 April 1942, King George VI awarded Malta the George Cross — the UK’s highest award given to non-military personnel — in recognition of its resilience in the face of extreme bombing by Axis forces during World War II. Given “for acts of the greatest heroism or for most conspicuous courage in circumstance of extreme danger”, the George Cross was awarded to Malta via a handwritten letter from the monarch. A public award ceremony was held later that year in Valletta on 13 September.

This weekend, Battlefront Living History Group will commemorate the historical occasion with a number of activities in Marsa taking place from 9am to 6pm. These include the opening of an exhibition entitled “Was it Worth it?”, military re-enactments, a debate focusing on the wartime experience, live music, Maltese games and historical tours of the area in vintage buses.

The main focus of the day’s proceedings will be a re-enactment of the award ceremony which took place in 1942, which will commence at 4:30pm in Marsa Holy Trinity Square. A public viewing of the George Cross will take place at 4:45pm.