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Royal Marine ceremonies in Malta
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Leaving Malta, 1979
Leaving Malta, 1979
After ‘Flying the Flag’ in Malta for so long, the time was approaching when the Royal Marines would be associated with ‘lowering the flag’. As Britain gradually handed barracks, bases and airfields back to Malta, so it would fall to the Royal Marines to be the last of the British forces to leave the island after 181 years.
For two years Salerno Company had protected British bases, property and personnel. As more and more units left the island so Salerno’s workload of security and guarding increased. All properties were checked by day and by night. In addition, as RAF Luqa ran down so Salerno Company became responsible for more and more tasks within the RAF station.
The RM Band of Commando Forces arrived from the UK on 21 March and the withdrawal began when Salerno Company marched from its Company Lines at RAF Luqa to go aboard the LSL (Landing Ship, Logistics) Sir Lancelot which was berthed alongside HMS St Angelo.
At 1830 on Saturday 24 March the Armed Forces of Malta Band stepped off and marched down Republic Street to Palace Square. Five minutes later the Commando Forces Band also marched down Republic Street to Palace Square. The crowds were huge and it looked as if the band would not get through, but gradually the crowds opened up and then re-closed behind the band as it made its way to the Square where the scene, watched by the President of the Republic, was even more spectacular.
The Band gave a marching display and then Beat Retreat. There were times when the music was almost drowned out by the cheering of the crowds. The finale consisted of the two bands playing the two national anthems before marching back up Republic Street together.
The following day the RM Band went to Gozo to play an open-air concert. This was a great success, as was the marching display by the Corps of Drums that followed. During the next few days the RM Band played at several official functions whilst Salerno Company continued their security duties and prepared for the final parade.
On 29 March Salerno Company paraded on the quarter deck of HMS St Angelo. In a simple ceremony the British High Commissioner was met by a Guard of Honour following which he inspected the Company. He took the opportunity to thank them for their hard work over the last two years. The Company then marched off to re-embark on the LSL Sir Lancelot.
That evening the band of the RM Commando Forces again joined with the Armed Forces Malta Band but this time in the Manoel Theatre, Valletta, for a concert. A contemporary account states -
‘In the 247 years since the Manoel Theatre was built, rarely has it witnessed, or heard, scenes of such warm enthusiasm as those during the evening of Thursday 29 March at this combined band concert. Split into three parts each band played alone and then for the third part the two combined with a rendering of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture which brought the house down. Both the President of Malta and Rear Admiral Cecil were present for this concert. They both took a standing ovation and were showered with flowers when they went on stage to acknowledge the audience clapping after the combined bands performance of ‘The Parting Song’ with words by the President and music composed by the Admiral. In all it was a great performance by both bands and a moving experience for many Maltese and expatriates alike’.
On 30 March the LSL Sir Lancelot sailed with Salerno Company embarked ending 188 years association between the Corps and the Maltese Islands.
