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https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/60752| Title: | The award of the George Cross to Malta |
| Authors: | Abela, A. E. |
| Keywords: | George Cross Malta -- History -- Siege, 1940-1943 World War, 1939-1945 -- Malta Military decorations -- Commonwealth countries |
| Issue Date: | 1992 |
| Publisher: | De La SaIle Brothers Publications |
| Citation: | Abela, A. E. (1992). The award of the George Cross to Malta. In: S. J. A. Clews (ed.), The Malta Year Book 1992. Malta: De La SaIle Brothers Publications, pp. 434-436. |
| Abstract: | In April 1942, at the height of the Axis onslaught against Malta, King George VI awarded the George Cross to Malta "to bear witness" - in the King's words - "to a heroism and devotion that will long be famous in history." King George VI had founded the George Cross eighteen months earlier on September 24, 1940 - and in a broadcast to Britain and the Empire the previous day, said: "Many and glorious are the deeds of gallantry done during these perilous but famous days. In order that they should be worthily and promptly recognised I have decided to create at once a new mark of honour for men and women in all walks of civilian life. I propose to give my name to this new distinction... " The object, clearly, was to reward men and women for acts of the greatest heroism. There was no intention of conferring this honour on a place or community. In awarding the George Cross to Malta, the King had taken a totally unprecedented step. [excerpt] |
| URI: | https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/60752 |
| Appears in Collections: | Malta Yearbook : 1992 |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992_The_award_of_the_george_cross_to_malta.pdf Restricted Access | 224.97 kB | Adobe PDF | View/Open Request a copy |
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