British Military Memorials at
St Paul's Pro-Cathedral, Valletta

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Return to Military Memorials of St Paul's Pro-Cathedral

St Paul's Pro-Cathedral served as the principal Anglican church for Britain's military, naval and colonial community in Malta throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. As a result, the cathedral contains one of the finest collections of British military memorials on the island. They commemorate governors, admirals, army officers, Royal Air Force personnel, Fleet Air Arm officers, naval cadets and those whose service was closely connected with Malta.

Unlike the large marble memorials dedicated to bishops, clergy and benefactors, these smaller plaques preserve the personal stories of individuals who served Britain both in Malta and across the wider Empire. Together they illustrate the cathedral's unique role in the religious life of the British armed forces stationed on the island.

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Admiral Sir John Michael de Robeck

This colourful memorial commemorates Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Michael de Robeck, one of the Royal Navy's most distinguished officers. He commanded Allied naval forces during the Gallipoli Campaign and later served as Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean before becoming Governor of Malta between 1915 and 1919.

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Lieutenant Henry Roger Hancox

Lieutenant Henry Roger Hancox served first with the Royal Naval Air Service before transferring to the Royal Air Force. His memorial records service during the First World War, including the Battle of Jutland, the Dover Patrol, Zeebrugge and operations in the Caspian Sea. He later served with the Fleet Air Arm and died in Malta on 11 February 1926 aged just twenty-seven.

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Vice Admiral Sir A. E. F. Bedford

This plaque commemorates Vice Admiral Sir A. E. F. Bedford, who died aboard HMS Sheffield while lying in Grand Harbour, Malta. His body was buried at sea off the Maltese coast, reflecting the long naval tradition associated with the Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet.

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Admiral of the Fleet Viscount Cunningham

One of the cathedral's most important Second World War memorials honours Admiral of the Fleet Andrew Cunningham, Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope. As Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean from 1939 to 1943 he directed the Royal Navy during the Battle of the Mediterranean and played a decisive role in maintaining Malta's lifeline during the island's siege.

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Lieutenant Bertram Holman

Lieutenant Bertram Holman of the Royal Artillery served as Aide-de-Camp to General Sir Arthur Fremantle, Governor of Malta. He died in London in November 1896 aged only twenty-four years and is remembered by a simple marble tablet within the cathedral.

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Evelyn Emily Grenfell

This elegant brass memorial commemorates Evelyn Emily Grenfell, who died in Malta on 21 June 1899. It was erected by her husband, Lieutenant-General Sir Francis Grenfell, Governor of Malta, reflecting the close links between the cathedral and successive British governors.

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Elizabeth Ann Coldwell M.B.E.

A modern brass memorial dedicated to Elizabeth Ann Coldwell M.B.E., formerly of Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service, recognising her service and lifelong connection with the cathedral community.

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Midshipman Jack Gordon Paterson

Jack Gordon Paterson served aboard HMS Bacchante. He died in Malta from typhoid fever on 20 January 1905 aged eighteen years and six months. His memorial reminds visitors that many young servicemen stationed in Malta died from disease rather than combat during the Edwardian period.

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Royal Air Force Ensign

The cathedral preserves the Royal Air Force Ensign that flew over RAF Luqa during the Battle of Malta between 1940 and 1942. The accompanying plaque records its conservation by the Malta Centre for Restoration in 2002, preserving one of the cathedral's most significant wartime artefacts.

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Sir Edward Peter Stubbs Bell

Sir Edward Peter Stubbs Bell served as Legal Secretary in Malta during the Second World War between 1941 and 1945 before later becoming Chief Justice of Northern Rhodesia. His memorial reflects the important contribution of the British civil administration during Malta's wartime years.

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Related pages

• British Army Memorial Panels
• Royal Garrison Regiment Memorial
• Historic Marble Memorials
• Malta Military Memorial Catalogue