King George VI
King George VI visited the Island on 20th
June 1943 aboard the destroyer HMS Aurora.
This was only a matter of a few weeks after the siege had been lifted.
He inspected a guard of honour on the Customs House quay made up of RMA personnel
from the coast, AA & searchlight units.
He appeared on the balcony of the blitzed Palace in Valletta & recieved
a great welcome from Maltese & military personnel alike. The future Prime
Minister Harold Macmillan accompanied the King.
The King visited many towns & aerodromes.
On leaving Malta en route to the 8th Army in North Africa the King said:-
| 'The warmth with which I have been received today has touched me more than I can say. It has been for me one further proof of the loyalty which has inspired the Island Fortress to withstand the fiercest blows that a cruel enemy could inflict on her'. |
Photo above & the block of 4 below courtesy of Barbara Hopkins.
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King George VI aboard HMS
Aurora 20th June 1943. Probably taken when entering Grand
Harbour. Looks like Lower Baracca Gardens top right. |
King George VI accompanied
by Mons. Emmanuel Brincat archpriest of Senglea during the war. Mons
Brincat chose to stay in Senglea throughout the war to be near the few
parishioners who opted to stay and brave the onslaught. |
