British Army Memorial Panels
St Paul's Pro-Cathedral Valletta

Introduction

Inside St Paul's Pro-Cathedral in Valletta is a remarkable collection of memorial panels dedicated to the Allied forces that defended Malta during the Second World War.

Among these are four engraved oak panels dedicated to British Army units that served on the island during the difficult years of the Siege of Malta between 1940 and 1943.

The panels form part of a wider memorial display which also includes naval units. Careful examination of the inscriptions shows that the first four panels on the left side belong to Army formations, while the adjoining panels commemorate Royal Navy and other naval services.

The Four British Army Memorial Panels

Historical Background

During the Second World War Malta was one of the most heavily bombed places on earth. The island's strategic position in the centre of the Mediterranean made it essential to Allied operations against Axis forces in North Africa.

British Army personnel played a vital role in the defence of Malta, providing coastal defence, anti-aircraft protection, artillery support, engineering services and ground defence throughout the war years.

The memorial panels at St Paul's Pro-Cathedral preserve the memory of these units and the contribution made by soldiers who served on the island during one of the most important campaigns of the Mediterranean theatre.

Memorial Panel Information

British Army Memorial Panel Index

Panel 1 – Royal Corps of Signals & Infantry

This oak panel records Signals & Infantry units that served in Malta between 10 June 1940 and 13 May 1943 during the Siege of Malta.

Click the image to view the full-size memorial panel.

Army Units Serving in Malta between 10 June 1940 and 13 May 1943 THE ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS MALTA SIGNAL COMPANY No. 4 COY AIR FORMATION SIGS. PIGEON LOFT UNIT INFANTRY OF THE LINE HQ. 231 INFANTRY BRIGADE HQ. 232 INFANTRY BRIGADE HQ. 233 INFANTRY BRIGADE HQ. 234 INFANTRY BRIGADE 4 BATTALION THE BUFFS 8 BATTALION THE KING'S OWN ROYAL REGT. 2 BATTALION THE DEVONSHIRE REGIMENT 11 BATTALION THE LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS 1 BATTALION THE CHESHIRE REGIMENT 1 BATTALION THE ROYAL HAMPSHIRE REGT. 1 BATTALION THE DORSETSHIRE REGIMENT 2 BATTALION THE QUEEN'S OWN ROYAL WEST KENT REGIMENT 8 BATTALION THE MANCHESTER REGIMENT 1 BATTALION THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY 2 BATTALION THE ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS

Panel 2 – Headquarters, Royal Artillery & Royal Engineers

This oak panel records British Army units that served in Malta between 10 June 1940 and 13 May 1943 during the Siege of Malta.

Click the image to view the full-size memorial panel.

Army Units Serving in Malta between 10 June 1940 and 13 May 1943 HEADQUARTERS MALTA COMMAND THE ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS Independent Troop Malta THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY HQ Royal Artillery Malta HQ Fixed Defences HQ 10 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Brigade HQ 7 Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade 12 Field Regiment 4 Coast Regiment 4 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment 7 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment 10 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment 68 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment 32 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment 65 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment 74 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment 107 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment 26 Defence Regiment Coastal Observation Posts Searchlight Batteries THE CORPS OF ROYAL ENGINEERS 16 Fortress Company 24 Fortress Company 1 Tunnelling Company 171 Tunnelling Company 173 Tunnelling Company 1 Works Company 2 Works Company

Panel 3 – Royal Army Service Corps, Medical Corps & Ordnance Corps

This oak panel records RASC, RAMC & RAOC units that served in Malta between 10 June 1940 and 13 May 1943 during the Siege of Malta.

Click the image to view the full-size memorial panel.

Army Units Serving in Malta between 10 June 1940 and 13 May 1943 THE ROYAL ARMY SERVICE CORPS H.Q. R.A.S.C. Malta 32 (G.T.) Company 651 (G.T.) Company 178 (G.T.) Company (Palestinian) 408 (G.T.) Company (Palestinian) Supply Depot THE ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS 30 Company 33 General Hospital 39 General Hospital 45 General Hospital 90 General Hospital 15 Field Ambulance (East African) 61 Field Ambulance (East African) 1 Field Surgical Unit 1 Field Hygiene Section Convalescent Depot THE ROYAL ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS Ordnance Depot Ammunition Depot

Panel 4 – Support Corps

This oak panel records British Army Support Corps units that served in Malta between 10 June 1940 and 13 May 1943 during the Siege of Malta.

Click the image to view the full-size memorial panel.

Army Units Serving in Malta between 10 June 1940 and 13 May 1943 THE ROYAL ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS Workshops THE CORPS OF ROYAL MILITARY POLICE 226 Provost Company THE ROYAL ARMY PAY CORPS 72 Detachment THE ROYAL ARMY DENTAL CORPS Field Dental Centre THE ROYAL PIONEER CORPS 131 Company THE ARMY CATERING CORPS THE ARMY PHYSICAL TRAINING CORPS THE ARMY EDUCATION CORPS THE INTELLIGENCE CORPS 69 Field Security Section

Related Malta War Memorial Pages

• Malta War Memorials
• History of Malta

Visiting Information

The memorial panels can be viewed inside St Paul's Pro-Cathedral, Independence Square, Valletta. Visitors should check cathedral opening arrangements before visiting.