A Piece of Malta in the Heart of London: A Maltese Guide’s Visit to the Malta WW2 Memorial
If you’re a UK traveller researching Malta, its wartime history, or looking for meaningful things to do in Malta beyond beaches, you might be surprised to learn that part of the island’s story is hidden in plain sight — right in the heart of London.
During a recent research trip, Maltese historian and tour guide Giacomo Muscat, founder of Malta Themed Tours, visited one of London’s most overlooked but powerful memorials: the National Malta Memorial beside All Hallows-by-the-Tower, just minutes from the Tower of London.
Most people walk past it without noticing. Yet embedded within the monument is Maltese stone, including rock from Gozo, placed there to honour the courage and sacrifice of the Maltese people during the Second World War.
For anyone interested in British history in Malta, this quiet memorial tells an extraordinary shared story.
Monument By “All Hallows”
During WWII, Malta was one of the most heavily bombed places on Earth. Cut off, besieged, and relentlessly attacked, the island endured unimaginable hardship while serving as a vital British stronghold in the Mediterranean. In recognition of this collective bravery, King George VI awarded the George Cross to the entire Maltese population — the only time the decoration has ever been given to a nation as a whole. The George Cross remains proudly displayed on Malta’s national flag to this day.
The Malta Memorial in London was unveiled in 2005 by All Hallows to commemorate that award and to honour the critical role Malta played in the Allied war effort. It also remembers key events such as Operation Pedestal, the famous Santa Marija Convoy of August 1942, which broke through enemy blockades to resupply the starving island and alter the course of the Mediterranean war.
Standing beside the memorial, Giacomo reflected on how closely Malta and Britain’s shared history is woven together — and how often that connection is overlooked. A fragment of Gozo, carried across the sea, now rests permanently in London as a reminder that Malta’s fight for survival was also Britain’s. (See full video here or scroll to the very bottom)
Annual remembrance services are still held at All Hallows, attended by Maltese and British representatives, veterans’ families, and community groups. These ceremonies are not about glorifying war, but about remembering shared sacrifice, resilience, and the defence of democracy.
Malta – the George Cross Island
For Giacomo, the visit was deeply personal. As a Maltese cultural guide, the stories he shares with UK visitors on the streets of Valletta, Birgu, and Mdina do not end on the island. They continue in London — in churches, museums, and quiet corners like this one.
To help UK audiences explore these connections more deeply, Giacomo has also created a 24-minute mini-documentary on YouTube, exploring Malta’s links to London, the Knights of St John, and Malta’s wartime legacy.
(YouTube documentary link to be inserted here.)
For UK travellers planning a holiday and searching for authentic Malta history tours, this story offers a powerful reminder: Malta is not just a Mediterranean destination — it is part of Britain’s story.
And sometimes, the journey to understanding Malta begins not on the island itself, but on a London pavement… with a piece of Maltese stone beneath your feet.
Dive into Valletta with a Maltese guide who can navigate the Knights, the British, and the occasional scandal — all before lunch.
If you want a tour that goes beyond the “here’s a nice building” routine, join our award-winning experiences, where UK visitors discover:
• Why Valletta owes more to British naval strategy than you think
• How the Knights left secret traces across London
• And how these two islands shaped each other more than anyone realises
British history… Maltese flair… unforgettable stories at our award winning tours?
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