The Lost Rock Gate Cemetery of Bormla (Cospicua)

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During the nascent decades of the British administration in the Maltese Islands, the dramatic influx of military personnel, dockyard engineers, and colonial families created an immediate administrative challenge: the management of non-Catholic interments. Nestled inside the historic defensive fortifications of Cottonera, the Rock Gate Cemetery emerged as one of the primary burial grounds for the Protestant and non-Catholic military personnel servicing the strategic Grand Harbour dockyards.

Site Profile Summary:
  • Location: Firenzuola Bastion Ditch, Santa Margherita Lines, Bormla (Cospicua)
  • Operational Period: Early 1800s to mid-19th Century
  • Primary Denominations: Church of England, Protestant, Non-Catholic Military/Civilian Denominations
  • Current Status: Cleared/Decommissioned; select stone relics relocated
  • Master Index Link: Return to the Maltese Historic Cemetery Registry

Architectural Setting & Fortification Context

The naming and spatial organization of Rock Gate Cemetery were dictated entirely by the defensive geometry of Cottonera. The British authorities adapted the pre-existing rock-hewn defensive ditches forming the perimeter of the Firenzuola Curtain and Bastion Line—originally laid out by the Order of St. John starting in 1638. By utilizing these deep, sheer limestone ditches, the military layout achieved a natural enclosure, situated directly beneath the imposing ramparts and close to the historical gateways leading out to the rural hinterlands.

Early 19th-century watercolours and landscapes, most notably the surviving records compiled by contemporary artists like Charles Frederick de Brocktorff, present a vivid picture of the cemetery's layout. Tall, neoclassical monuments, hand-carved stone obelisks, and simple ledger slabs were squeezed directly into the linear bedrock floor of the ditch, framed by the sheer, ashlar-faced stone scarps of the fortifications.

Historical Evolution & Colonial Context

From approximately 1800 through the 1840s, the cemetery functioned alongside other localized fortification-ditch burial spaces, such as those situated at the Msida Bastion in Floriana. It received the bodies of infantrymen, Royal Navy sailors, and early colonial civil servants who succumbed to garrison sicknesses, workplace accidents inside the burgeoning drydocks, or endemic fevers.

The opening of the centralized, multi-faith Ta' Braxia International Cemetery in Pietà during the mid-19th century fundamentally shifted colonial burial policy. Smaller, localized, and logistically constricted garrison burial plots scattered along the urban defensive rings were progressively phased out, and Rock Gate stopped receiving regular interments.

Decommissioning, Disruption, and Modern State

Throughout the 20th century, the abandoned cemetery suffered considerably from prolonged exposure, changing defensive priorities, and municipal developments within the Cottonera region. Portions of the historic ditches were repurposed, cleared, or adapted to fit shifting civic infrastructural demands.

As the site was systematically dismantled and cleared of its standing monuments over the years, the vast majority of its physical markers were lost. Today, the location no longer retains its funerary profile. However, a small collection of stone fragments and broken headstone pieces salvaged from the Rock Gate site are carefully preserved and displayed across the Grand Harbour within the Msida Bastion Historic Garden in Floriana, providing genealogists and stone conservators a tangible link back to this lost Three Cities landmark.

Archival Transcription Data Placeholder

Historical transcription files, 19th-century garrison burial registers, and individual name indices for Rock Gate Cemetery are currently undergoing archival processing. This block will serve as the relational database node for verified records.

Rock Gate Cemetery Historical Burial Register

The following register contains 136 names, ages, regiments, and officiating chaplains transcribed directly from 19th-century colonial garrison records:

Name Age / Status Regiment / Affiliation Burial / Death Date Historical Notes & Officiating Clergy
ABBOT, Emma Eliza 13 months Naval Arsenal 14 Jul 1811 Daughter of Ann and Thomas Abbot.
BALDWIN, William 23 years Private, 4th Bn, Rifle Brigade 27 Feb 1860 Quartered in Forts Ricasoli and San Salvatore. Service by Rev. Henry Hare C.F.
BARIE, Amelia Ann Infant Naval Arsenal 18 Nov 1810 Daughter of Richard Barie.
BEECH, Samuel 23 years Private, 2nd Bn, 23rd Regiment 29 Nov 1861 Service by Rev. Edwin Smith.
BENSON, William 31 years Private, 2/3rd East Kent (The Buffs) 04 Jan 1860 Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
BLOGG, Robert Adult Private, Royal Engineers 02 Sep 1857 Service by Rev. Henry Hare C.F.
BOOTH, William 1 year 5 months 1/22nd Cheshire Regiment 20 Sep 1860 Son of Private William Booth. Service by Rev. Henry Hare C.F.
BOWLER, Sarah Jane 9 months 2/15th East Riding Regiment 21 Aug 1859 Daughter of Colour Sergeant William Bowler. Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
BRAY, James Adult Master Shipwright, Naval Dockyard 12 Sep 1812 Early dockyard official civil interment.
BREW, Margaret 5 months 2/3rd East Kent (The Buffs) 04 Apr 1860 Died in Floriana. Daughter of Sergeant G. Brew.
BUTTON, Joseph Adult Private, 2nd Bn, 3rd (The Buffs) 20 Dec 1859 Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
CASTLE, Augustus Frederick 13 months Naval Arsenal 14 Jun 1810 Son of Samuel S. Castle.
CASTLEDGE, Thomas 24 years Gunner, Royal Artillery 15 Sep 1859 Service by Rev. William Watson Wood C.F.
CATO, Isaac 18 years Private, 2/23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers 05 Aug 1859 Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
CLARKSON, Elizabeth 3 years 6 months 1st/22nd Cheshire Regiment 03 Aug 1860 Daughter of Colour Sergeant Clarkson. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
COATES, Alfred 31 years Private, 2/23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers 17 Sep 1861 Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
COLLETT, Aaron Adult Sergeant, 2/3rd East Kent (The Buffs) 17 Mar 1860 Husband of Bridget. Father of Bridget Ann (born in Malta). Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
COLLINS, Octavia Louisa Mary 48 years 2/15th East Riding Regiment 20 May 1861 Wife of Master Tailor Collins. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
COOK, Thomas 21 years Private, 4th Bn, Rifle Brigade 20 Jul 1860 Forts Ricasoli/San Salvatore garrison. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith.
CORRISON, John 8 months 2/23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers 12 Jun 1859 Son of Drum Major Corrison. Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
CORRISON, Richard John 3 months 2nd Bn, 23rd Regiment 18 Nov 1861 Son of Sergeant Corrison. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith.
CROW, Robert 26 years Private, 2nd Bn, 3rd (The Buffs) 20 Nov 1859 Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
CROWTHER, Joseph 20 years Private, 4th Bn, Rifle Brigade 24 Jul 1860 Forts Ricasoli/San Salvatore garrison. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith.
DAVIS, Henry 18 years Private, 4th Bn, Rifle Brigade 19 Nov 1859 Forts Ricasoli/San Salvatore garrison. Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
DAVIS, Richard 23 years Private, 4th Bn, Rifle Brigade 30 Jan 1860 Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
DAY, Mary Adult Naval Arsenal 12 Oct 1810 Wife of John Day; died approximately 10 days after childbirth.
DEAN, John 21 years Private, 2nd Bn, 23rd Regiment 15 Nov 1861 Service by Rev. Edwin Smith.
DENBY, Susanna 3 months 2nd Bn, 22nd Regiment 26 Dec 1861 Daughter of Private E. Denby. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
DILLON, Charlotte Susan 6 months 2nd Bn, 3rd East Kent (The Buffs) 30 Sep 1860 Daughter of Thomas Dillon. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
DORAN, William 33 years 9 months Captain, Paymaster, 76th Regiment 09 Jun 1851 (Died) Died within quarters at the Inquisitor's Palace, Vittoriosa.
DUKE, Joseph Adult Lance Corporal, 2/3rd East Kent 27 Jun 1860 Regiment known as The Buffs. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
DUNN, Richard 20 years Private, 4th Bn, Rifle Brigade 02 Jan 1860 Forts Ricasoli/San Salvatore garrison. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
FARNWORTH, William Henry 16 months Civilian Child 20 Jan 1811 Son of William Farnworth.
FARR, Antonia 19 years 3rd Class Schoolmistress, RA 02 Jan 1862 Royal Artillery division. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
FITZGERALD, Catherine 38 years 2/15th East Riding Regiment 09 Apr 1859 Wife of Sergeant William Fitzgerald. Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
FOULES, William Adult Naval Officer, HMS Tortoise 14 Nov 1812 Early Napoleonic-era naval burial.
FROTMAN, Susannah / Agnes 11 months Military Child 28 Aug 1859 Daughter of Agnes and CSgt Charles Frotman. Born 6 Feb 1859.
GARDNER, Anthony Vincent 34 years Civilian 23 Nov 1841 Early mid-century entry.
GLADWIN, William Henry 8 months 2/3rd East Kent (The Buffs) 07 Feb 1860 Born 7 Mar 1859 to Sarah (Ramsden) & Pte Henry James Gladwin. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
GOODYER, Richard 20 years Private, 4th Bn, Rifle Brigade 18 Jan 1860 Forts Ricasoli/San Salvatore garrison. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
GORTLAND, Isabella 1 year 1 month 2/15th East Riding Regiment 04 Oct 1861 Daughter of Lance Corporal Thomas Gortland. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
GRAHAM, Edwin 28 years Gunner, Royal Artillery 14 Sep 1860 Service by Rev. Henry Hare C.F.
GRANT, Mary Elizabeth 1 year 4 months 2nd Bn, 3rd (The Buffs) 04 Feb 1861 Daughter of Sergeant Grant. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
GREY, J. 25 years Assistant Surgeon, 44th Regiment 15 Jul 1850 Service by Rev. William Hare C.F.
HADAWAY, Ann 28 years Civilian Resident 20 Nov 1811 Wife of Dixon Hadaway, of No. 3 Sta. Margarita, Cospicua.
HALIN, James 12 days 2nd Bn, 23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers 30 Aug 1859 Son of Private Thomas Halin. Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
HARRISON, John 22 years Private, 2/22nd Cheshire Regiment 11 Feb 1862 Explicitly confirmed at Rock Gate. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
HART, John 25 years Sergeant, 2/15th East Surrey Reg. 02 Jul 1859 Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
HAWKINS, Joshua 26 years Private, 4th Bn, Rifle Brigade 26 Nov 1859 Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
HEDGCOCK, John 85 years Royal Navy Veteran 23 Apr 1849 Died at daughter's home (Garden House, Cospicua). Served under Admirals Duncan and Nelson.
HENDERSON, Emily Sarah 3 days Military Child 26 Mar 1862 Daughter of Sergeant George Henderson. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
HEPBURN, Peter 75 years Naval Service Employee 01 Apr 1852 (Died) Spent majority of career working in service of the Royal Navy.
HILL, John Infant 2nd Bn, 22nd Regiment 04 Jul 186x Son of Harriet Alice and Sergeant William Hill.
HILL, Thomas 23 years Lance Corporal, 2nd Bn, 3rd (Buffs) 04 Sep 1859 Service by Rev. William Watson Wood C.F.
HILLIER, Denis 3 years 2/15th East Riding Regiment 12 May 1862 Born 24 May 1859 to Jane and Private Isaac Hillier. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
HILLIER, John 29 days Military Child 20 Jan 1862 Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
HUGGINS, Jacob 24 years Private, 2/23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers 27 Aug 1859 Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
HUME, George 32 years Private, 4th Bn, Rifle Brigade 15 Dec 1859 Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
HUNT, Henry 19 years Private, 1/22nd Cheshire Regiment 24 Sep 1860 Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
JAMES, Manuel 20 years Private, 4th Bn, Rifle Brigade 01 Oct 1859 Service by Rev. William Watson Wood C.F.
JEFFREY, William 1 year 5 months 1/22nd Cheshire Regiment 23 Oct 1860 Son of a garrison regiment soldier. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
JESSE, Charles Henry 8 months 4th Bn, Rifle Brigade 01 Mar 1860 Son of Sergeant James Charles Jesse. Forts Ricasoli/San Salvatore unit. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
JOHNSON, John 1 year 5 months 2/15th East Riding Regiment 01 Jul 1859 Son of Private Aaron Johnson. Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
JOHNSON, William 22 years Private, 2nd Bn, 23rd RWF 01 Feb 1862 Royal Welch Fusiliers corps. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
JONES, George James 25 years Private, 4th Bn, Rifle Brigade 06 Dec 1859 Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
JONES, Thomas 27 years Private, 2/3rd East Kent (The Buffs) 27 Nov 1860 Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
KING, Ellen 21 years 1st Bn, 22nd Cheshire Regiment 17 Aug 1860 Wife of Colour Sergeant Abraham King. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
KITT, Benjamin 28 years Gunner, Royal Artillery 22 Sep 1861 Born 1833 (Middlesex) to Francis and Elizabeth. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
KOYLE, Edward 24 years Private, 2nd Bn, 22nd Regiment 26 Dec 1861 Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
LANE, Richard 20 years Private, 4th Bn, Rifle Brigade 17 Nov 1859 Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
LAURIE, George Infant Naval Arsenal 22 May 1813 Son of Nicholas Laurie.
LAWRENCE, Thomas 38 years 2/22nd Cheshire Regiment 21 Mar 1861 (Died) Regimental death record entry.
LEES, Edward 28 years Private, 2/15th East Riding Regiment 31 Jul 1859 Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
LOWCOCK, Joseph 22 years Private, 2/3rd East Kent (The Buffs) 27 Jan 1860 Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
McATEER, James 20 years Private, 2nd Bn, 23rd Regiment 07 May 1861 Royal Welch Fusiliers unit; buried explicitly at Rock Gate. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
McINTIRE, Ellen 1 year 9 months 2nd Bn, 15th Regiment 14 Jul 1859 Daughter of Corporal McIntire. Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
MACKS, Henry James Infant Naval Arsenal 03 Oct 1812 Son of Henry and Elizabeth Macks.
MARSHALL, Daniel 22 years Private, 2/23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers 07 May 1862 Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
MELMOTH, Elizabeth 44 years 4th Bn, Rifle Brigade Spouse 12 Mar 1860 Wife of Private Melmoth; Forts Ricasoli/San Salvatore garrison. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
MONK, Henry William 14 months Civilian Child 22 Jun 1811 Son of Mary and Jabez Henry Monk.
MOORE, Catherine 9 months 2/15th East Riding Regiment 25 Jul 1859 Daughter of Private Samuel Moore. Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
MOORE, Mary Anne 9 months 2nd Bn, 15th Regiment 31 May 1862 Daughter of Private Samuel Moore. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
MORRIS, William 19 years Private, 2/3rd East Kent (The Buffs) 11 Sep 1859 Service by Rev. William Watson Wood C.F.
MULLOCK, Samuel 20 years Bugler, 4th Bn, Rifle Brigade 17 Jul 1860 Forts Ricasoli/San Salvatore garrison. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
MURRAY, Matthew 1 day 2nd Bn, 23rd Regiment 07 Jun 1861 Son of Sergeant Murray; noted explicitly at Rock Gate. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
NEWMAN, Capt. Adult Officer 20th Regiment of Foot 14 May 1802 Fatal Duel: Shot 4 May 1802 at Salvatore Gate by Col. Bayliss (35th Foot). Buried near Żabbar Gate perimeter.
NEWMAN, George 40 years Private, 2nd Bn, 22nd Regiment 11 Jun 1861 Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
NORRISH, John Roper Adult Chief Clerk, Naval Dockyard Early 1800s Prominent local drydock civil official record node.
OSBORNE, Henry 23 years Private, 1/22nd Cheshire Regiment 20 Nov 1860 Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
OXLEY, Edwin 2 months 1/22nd Cheshire Regiment 27 Dec 1860 Son of Private William Oxley. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
OXLEY, Emma 1 year 11 months 1/22nd Cheshire Regiment 11 Oct 1860 Daughter of Private William Oxley. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
PARRY, Thomas 30 years Private, 2nd Bn, 23rd Regiment 22 Nov 1861 Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
PEARSON, Arthur Samuel 1 year 3 months 2/15th East Riding Regiment 23 Aug 1859 Son of Sergeant Frederick Pearson. Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
PENDLETON, William 2 months 2/15th Reg. (York, East Riding) 16 Apr 1859 Born 2 Feb 1859 to Margaret & Private William Pendleton. Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
PETTENDRIGH, George H. S. 1 year 2 months Military Child 23 Oct 1861 Son of Quartermaster George Pettendrigh. *(Note: Mother Caroline buried at Ta' Braxia, 1862).*
PLATT, Charlotte Ann 1 year 5 months 2nd Bn, 22nd Regiment 28 Nov 1861 Daughter of Private Platt. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
PRICE, George Edward 3 years 21st Fusiliers Branch 11 Apr 1857 Born 31 Jul 1853 (Dublin) to Ann (Nicholas) & Musketry Instructor James Price.
PRICE, Martha 1 year 1 month 21st Fusiliers Branch 03 Sep 1859 Sibling to above. Service by Rev. William Watson Wood C.F.
REED, John 44 years Resident of Bormla 01 Apr 1813 Early local British civilian merchant entry.
RENNISON, John 26 years Private, 1/22nd Cheshire Regiment 04 Jan 1861 Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
REVILL, William 25 years Private, 2nd Bn, 22nd Regiment 15 Jun 1861 Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
REYNOLDS, Thomas 23 years Gunner, Royal Artillery 21 Dec 1861 Service by Rev. Henry Hare C.F.
RICHARDS, Samuel 30 years Private, 2/23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers 24 Jun 1859 Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
RICHARDSON, James Fergusson 4 months Civilian Child 10 Dec 1810 Son of Catherine and William Richardson.
SANDALL, Thomas 19 years Private, 2nd Bn, 22nd Regiment 13 Jul 1861 Service by Rev. Henry Hare C.F.
SEAL, George 20 years Private, 2/23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers 02 Mar 1859 Service by Rev. R.B. Howe, Chaplain Royal Navy.
SEAMAN, John James 5 months 2/15th East Riding (Yorkshire) 19 Jul 1859 Born 16 Feb 1859 to Anne & Private John Seaman. Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
SHAW, Elizabeth May Ann 29 years 2nd Bn, 3rd East Kent (The Buffs) 18 Nov 1859 Wife of Colour Sergeant William Shaw. Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
SKEVINGTON, Marshall 20 years Private, 2/15th East Riding Regiment 29 Mar 1859 Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
SMITH, George 28 years Private, 1/22nd Cheshire Regiment 22 Feb 1861 Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
SMITH, Henry 27 years Private, 4th Bn, Rifle Brigade 25 Nov 1859 Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
SMITH, Joseph 30 years Private, 2/23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers 24 Sep 1859 Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
SOWBRIDGE, John Adult Private, 2nd Bn, 3rd (The Buffs) 05 Jun 1860 Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
STARTON, Jane 11 months Naval Arsenal 02 Jun 1811 Daughter of James Starton.
TAYLOR, Edward 9 months Civilian Child 11 Mar 1813 Son of William Henry Taylor.
THOMAS, Philip 3 months 2 weeks 2/15th East Riding Regiment 20 Jun 1859 Son of Sergeant G. Thomas. Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
THORN, David 1 year 2 months Royal Artillery Child 12 Oct 1861 Son of Bombardier David Thorn. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
THORPE, James Henry 6 months 2/15th East Riding Regiment 01 Jul 1859 Son of Sergeant J. Thorpe. Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
THORPE, Joseph 24 years Private, 1/22nd Cheshire Regiment 01 Mar 1861 Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
THOROUGHGOOD, Elizabeth Ann 2 years 4 months Naval Arsenal Early 1800s Daughter of Francis Thoroughgood.
TOMKINS, William H. Adult Private, 2/3rd East Kent (The Buffs) 17 Jul 1860 Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
TROTMAN, Susannah 11 months 2nd Bn, 23rd Regiment 28 Aug 1861 Daughter of Colour Sergeant Charles Trotman. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
VINCENT, Amelia Infant Naval Arsenal 29 Sep 1811 Daughter of Timothy Vincent.
WALKER, William 40 years Sergeant Major, 2/23rd RWF 08 Aug 1859 Senior NCO Royal Welch Fusiliers entry. Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
WARD, William 18 years Private, 2/3rd East Kent (The Buffs) 31 Aug 1859 Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
WATSON, Tipping 24 years Private, 2/15th East Riding Regiment 24 Aug 1859 Garrison standard field death row.
WATTS, Alfred 20 years Private, 2/23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers 17 Aug 1859 Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
WENHAM, Elizabeth 24 years 2/3rd East Kent (The Buffs) 16 Dec 1860 Wife of Armourer Sergeant W. Wenham. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
WENHAM, Frances Jane 1 year 2/3rd East Kent (The Buffs) 28 Jun 1860 Daughter of a regiment soldier. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
WHITE, Eliza 1 year 4 months 2/3rd East Kent (The Buffs) 23 Sep 1859 Baptized 28 May 1858; daughter of Private William & Hannah White. Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
WILKINS, John Abel Infant Civilian Child 20 Dec 1810 Son of Elizabeth and Isaac Wilkins.
WILKINS, Hannah 17 years Naval Arsenal Group 14 Feb 1811 Daughter of John Wilkins, Boatswain of the Arsenal.
WILLIAMS, Philip 24 years Private, 2/23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers 05 Aug 1859 Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.
WILLIAMS, Thomas 18 years 2/23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers 07 Mar 1859 Service by Rev. Dudley Somerville.
WILLIAMS, William 21 years Private, 2nd Bn, 23rd Regiment 07 Jun 1861 Buried explicitly at Rock Gate. Service by Rev. Edwin Smith C.F.
WOOLLARD, John 26 years Armourer Sergeant, 2/15th East Riding 15 Jul 1859 Service by Rev. F.F. Thomson C.F.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where was Rock Gate Cemetery located?

Rock Gate Cemetery was located within the fortified defensive ditch of the Santa Margherita Lines (specifically near the Firenzuola Bastion complex) in Bormla (Cospicua), Malta.

Who was buried at Rock Gate Cemetery?

The grounds primarily accommodated early 19th-century British military personnel, non-commissioned officers, sailors, and their non-Catholic families stationed around the Grand Harbour dockyard garrisons.

What happened to the headstones and graves?

Following its decommissioning, the cemetery fell into modern neglect, and the site was gradually cleared. Today, only a small handful of architectural gravestone fragments from Rock Gate survive, which are preserved across the harbor at the Msida Bastion Historic Garden.

Research & Documentation

  • Researcher: Paul Berman
  • Last Updated: 2026

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