The Malta Memorial, Floriana:
Air forces Roll of Honour Hub

Honouring the Missing Airmen of the Mediterranean Theatre

Situated prominently at the entrance to Valletta within the town of Floriana, the Malta Memorial stands as a towering tribute to the bravery of the Commonwealth air forces during the Second World War. Unveiled by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on May 3, 1954, this iconic monument commemorates 2,298 airmen who lost their lives while operating across the Mediterranean, Central Europe, and North Africa, and who have no known grave.

The memorial's strategic location reflects Malta's pivotal role as an unsinkable aircraft carrier and a logistical linchpin during the height of the Mediterranean campaign. Aircrews operating from historic Maltese airfields like RAF Luqa, RAF Ta' Qali, and RAF Hal Far flew perilous sorties defending supply lines, attacking enemy convoys, and executing crucial reconnaissance missions.

Design and Architecture of the Monument

Designed by the renowned architect Sir Hubert Worthington, the monument features a majestic 15-metre-tall circular pillar of travertine stone, sourced from Tivoli near Rome. The column is deeply incised with a spiraling pattern and surmounted by a magnificent gilded bronze eagle, sculpted by Charles Wheeler. The eagle serves as an enduring symbol of the Royal Air Force and its sister branches across the Commonwealth.

At the base of this towering column, the names of the fallen are permanently cast across 19 large bronze plaques. These panels are meticulously organized chronologically by the year of death, further categorized by the respective military branch, rank, and alphabetical order.

Complete Directory of the 19 Bronze Plaques

Select a specific plaque below to view high-resolution photographic documentation, transcribed genealogical records, and detailed breakdowns of the airmen commemorated by country, rank, and squadron.

Search across all the memorials

Global Nations Honoured at Floriana

The names cast onto the plaques represent a multinational contingent unified under the Commonwealth command. The database sections track casualties from:

• United Kingdom: Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR)
• Canada: Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)
• Australia: Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)
• New Zealand: Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF)
• South Africa: South African Air Force (SAAF)

Visitor Information & Genealogical Research

The Malta Memorial is managed in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). It is located at the northern tip of the Triton Fountain square in Floriana and is completely accessible to the public year-round. For family historians and researchers tracing specific aircrew details, squadron operations, or casualty cross-references, our indexed sub-pages provide searchable, verified digital transcriptions matching the exact physical layout of the bronze castings.