She was omnivorous and ate everything but people

There is a monument in Valletta in one of the beautiful parts I found recently.  In fact, there are many lovely monuments around this historic city.  For example overlooking the main harbour there is a huge prone figure lying flat on his back as if on a bed beside a huge bell.  The Siege Bell War Memorial commemorates the victory of the Allied forces during the Second Siege of Malta from 1940-1943 and remembers the many who paid with their lives in defense of the island. 

The proud tiny island was almost constantly bombarded during this period.   At a time when the war could have gone either way and entire countries in Europe were over run in days/weeks this tiny island and its defenders, planted deep in the Mediterranean, on the critical shipping routes of this region, stood firm for three years in their walled city and would not submit. In 1942 Malta was awarded the George Cross. In bestowing the award King George VI said '...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'.

It perhaps helped that the Maltese had a heritage of withstanding such attacks dating back to the great siege of 1565 when just 600 knights, a few thousand mercenaries and a few thousand Maltese irregulars – in all between 6,000 and 9,000 managed to hold the city against 40,000 fighting men of the Ottoman empire.  

However, it is not the courage of the Maltese but their kindness that I wish to celebrate here.  Nearby there is a monument to a foreigner to this island.  

It is dedicated to Clement Martin Edwards who died on the 17^th March 1818 and reads

“Few could vie with him in usefulness of talent

And fewer still possessed a heart more benevolent

Or deposition more social. 

He died in the prime of life

But lived long enough to know

how fully he had secured

the respect and esteem of all good men.”

 What a lovely way to be remembered.  I have a horrid feeling mine will read something akin to

"She was omnivorous and ate everything but people

With a temper foul to bear and look that would curdle butter

Her purpose in life appeared to be consuming as much chocolate as possible

but take heart dear passerby, as you read this gravestone

because however bad you are, you are better by far than her!"

Here is a panoramic view of the harbour of Valleta, if you fancy a quick look.

http://www.vrmalta.com/malta-virtual-tour/Valletta-Grand-Harbour-from-the-Great-Siege-Bell.html