Valletta War Museum

As part of the Their Past Your Future Commemorative Visits Programme, 16 pupils from King Edwards School, Birmingham travelled to Malta. The trip aimed to explore the significance of the Mediterranean theatre of conflict during the Second World War and Malta’s truly pivotal and crucial role in defending Allied interests there. It also allowed the pupils to learn about the unique position of the Maltese nation as recipient of the George Cross, as well as other types of commemoration and remembrance associated with the experiences of the island, its inhabitants and those servicemen and women who gave their lives in its defence, including a former pupil of the school, Dennis Knight.

The National War Museum at Valletta shows Malta’s important military role in the post-1800 period under British rule, and especially the island’s role during the Second World War. Key exhibits include the George Cross awarded to Malta and ‘Faith’, one of the Gloster Gladiator biplanes which defended the island.