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 17th
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.
