The Unveiling and Blessing of the
Plaque Commemorating the Presence of World War II Allied Coastal Forces in Malta
Conducted at Ta'Xbiex, Marina, Malta
in the presence of
His Excellency Nick Archer MVO Her Majesty's British High Commissioner, Malta.
Mrs Antoinette Vassallo The Mayor of Ta'Xbiex
Sir Derrick Holden-Brown Chairman of The Coastal Forces Heritage Trust
and distinguished representatives of the people of Malta and
Coastal Forces Veterans
Saturday 29 September 2007
Conducted by The Reverend Canon T. O. Mendel SSC
Fr. Victor Mallia
Allied Coastal Forces in Malta during World War II
When war was declared on 3 September of 1939 a flotilla of twelve Motor Torpedo Boats had been operating from Malta since July 1937. However, in November 1939 the Admiralty ordered this flotilla of small fast attack craft to return to the UK where, at that time, their presence around the coasts of Britain was considered necessary.
Allied Coastal Forces boats were to return to the Mediterranean in October 1940 with the establishment of an operating base in Alexandria. However, it was not until after the battle of Alamein in October 1942 that an advance force of Coastal Forces craft were moved to Malta to assist in a blockade of the major ports further west, such as Tripoli and Bizerta. On the arrival of the 10% Flotilla on 9 December 1942 the boats were temporarily berthed at the submarine base at Manoel Island. Within weeks, however, private housing and garage buildings at Ta' Xbiex were requisitioned and HMS Gregale was commissioned on this site as the Coastal Forces Base Malta in early 1943 and it subsequently became the Headquarters of Captain Coastal Forces Mediterranean.
During May and June 1943 the number of boats at HMS Gregale increased dramatically as after the successful blockade of Tunisia many more flotillas were able to join the 10 in Malta. In addition to those of the Royal Navy, the crews included Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans These flotillas played a very significant part in Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily, on 10" July 1943 and ensured that the invasion fleet was protected from attack by constant patrols in the Straits of Messina. When Sicily fell, the boats went on to operate off the West coast of Italy, in the Adriatic and the Aegean, and used HMS Gregale as their main repair base for the rest of the war.
The existence of HMS Gregale and the achievements of the Coastal Forces craft operating from this base, owe much of their success to the unstinting loyalty and support of the Maltese people. They had suffered greatly during the siege of their Island and they were still in the later stages of the war, living with great deprivation. This Commemorative Plaque is therefore placed in recognition of those events and in memory of the bravery and dedication of all who contributed.
ORDER OF SERVICE
Welcome Address by His Excellence Nick Archer MVO, Her Majesty's High Commissioner Malta
Then Canon Mendel will lead in Prayers
The Bidding Prayer
As we gather to unveil and bless the plaque commemorating those who served in Coastal Forces here in Malta during those turbulent years of World War II: let us pray for the souls of the many who sailed from HMS Gregale here at Ta'Biex never to return whose bravery and sacrifice preserved and restored democracy: let us give thanks to almighty God for the resolute and uncomplaining, courage and endurance of those young men, who thrown with little preparation into battle-fought at sea in the dark of night; let us offer our thanks for the individual bravery service and sacrifice of so many Maltese, praying for those who died in the bombardment of these islands, for those who bore its physical and mental scars for the rest of their lives and for those who tended them; and finally, let us remember with thanksgiving the part played by the servicemen and women of our Allies in the Canadian, Australian New Zealand, and South African naval forces who, far from their homes and families, fought in Coastal Forces alongside the Royal Navy in Malta;
O God of hosts, Father and lover of men, we give thee praise for all those valiant souls, servicemen and civilians, the memory of whom is with us to-day, who bravely fought and nobly fell, who died that we might live and we beseech thee to fulfil in them the good purpose of thy perfect will. We pray that their great example may ever awaken in
us higher ideals of duty, nobler conceptions of life, and ready self sacrifice for the common good. Comforter divine, light of men, we beseech thee to sustain and comfort those who were bereaved during the great struggle. Grant them the assurance that thy love for their dear ones is greater even than their own, is deeper than the seas and will abide even when the stones have crumbled again to dust. All this we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lesson: Peter Bickmore E BEM - Former Chairman of The Coastal Forces Veterans Association A Reading from the fourth chapter of the letter of St Paul, Apostle, to the Philippians
"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you".Here ends the Reading
Psalm: Camor Mendel - will lead the assembled guests in saying verses from Palm 107 (there is a short pause at the asterisk in each werse):
They that go down to the sea in ships and occupy their business in great waters;
These men see the works of the Lord : * and His wonders in the deep.
For at His word the stormy wind ariseth : " which lifteth up the waves thereof. **They are carried up to the heaven, and down again to the deep : * their soul melteth away because of the trouble.
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man : * and are at their wits end. 2 So when they cry unto the Lord in their trouble : * He delivereth them out of their distress. 2 For He maketh the storm to cease : * so that the waves thereof are still.
Then are they glad, because they are at rest : * and so He bringeth them unto the haven where they would be. So that men would therefore praise the Lord for His goodness :* and declare the wonders that He doeth for the children of men!
Who so is wise will ponder these things : * and they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Spirit; * As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
Gospel: Father Victor Mallia A Reading from the seventeenth chapter of the Holy Gospel according to St John
Jesus said to his disciples: "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another." Here ends the Reading
Address: Sir Derrick Holden-Brown, Chairman, The Coastal Forces Heritage Trust
The Unveiling of the Commemorative Plaque Address and Umeiling By Mrs Antoinette Vassallo, Mayor of TaXbiex
Blessing of the Commemorative Plaque Canon Mendel
Almighty and most merciful Father, who hast gathered the waters together unto one place: bless + this plaque to be a memorial of the service, bravery and sacrifice of those who served from HMS Gregale. Grant that it may ever set before us thy Son's call to love as he has loved us and to lay down our lives for our friends, who died, was buried and rose again for us. Amen.
THE ACT OF REMEMBRANCE Len Reynolds Esq. OBE, DSC, President of the Coastal Forces Veterans Association:
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.
All : We will remember them.
THE LAST POST
Two minute Silence
REVEILLE
When you go home tell them of us and say, for your tomorrows we gave our today.
Father Mallia Leads in Prayer
O Father of all, we pray to thee for those whom we love, but see no longer. Grant them thy peace; let light perpetual shine upon them; and in thy loving wisdom and almighty power work in them the good purpose of thy perfect will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
We pray together:
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done; On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, The power and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen
We pray together:
O eternal Lord God, who alone spreadest out the heavens, and rulest the raging of the sea; who hast compassed the waters with bounds until day and night come to an end; be pleased to receive unto thy almighty and most gracious protection the persons of us thy servants and the Fleet in which we serve. Preserve us from the dangers of the sea and of the air and from the violence of the enemy; that we may be a safeguard unto our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth and her dominions, and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions; that the inhabitants of our Islands and Commonwealth may in peace and quietness serve thee our God; and that we may return in safety to enjoy the blessings of the land, with the fruits of our labours, and with a thankful remembrance of thy mercies to praise and glorify thy holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The service ends with the blessing
Go forth into the world in peace, be of good courage, render to no man evil for evil, strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak; comfort the afflicted, love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be among you and remain with you always. Amen
Wreaths will by cast at sea by :
Antoinette Vassallo - Mayor of Ta'Xbiex
Sir Derrick Holden-Brown Chairman, The Coastal Forces Heritage Trust
Reg Ellis Esq., - Chairman, The Coastal Forces Veterans Association