OBVERSE
The obverse features the emblem of Malta and the year 1992 on a highly polished background.
THE REVERSE
The reverse features the British George Cross in the centre, encircled by the words: Bhala xhieda ta’eroizmu u dedikazzioni; To bear witness to heroism and devotion. The wording is separated by a Maltese Cross with the date 1942. The words ‘kopja’ and ‘copy’ appear below the horizontal arms of the George Cross.
THE RIBBON
The 32mm width ribbon is blue with two narrow, central vertical 3mm stripes in white and red. This medal is supplied on a concealed single pin, ready to wear.
In April of 1942, King George VI conferred the George Cross medal on the tiny Mediterranean island of Malta in a dramatic and unprecedented gesture. As it transpired April was the final month of the great Luftwaffe offensive and possibly the most difficult period of the siege so devastatingly enforced by the Axis powers. The island and its population had been subjected to a constant and unrelenting bombardment since June 1940 and were not to experience any relief from these conditions until the final months of 1942 when supplies and aid began to reach the defenders in significant quantities.
All over the world the people of the United Nations had followed the resistance of the islanders and those trying to bring aid by sea and air. The news of the award of the George Cross was internationally welcomed as it served in a tangible way to mark the heroism of all concerned.
The Government of Malta dignified the fiftieth anniversary of the presentation of the George Cross to the island in 1942 by striking the Malta George Cross Fiftieth Anniversary Commemorative Medal. By this gesture the government of Malta shared the honour bestowed upon the island fortress with all of those who defended and supplied it between 10 June 1940 and 8 September 1943. The period for application to receive the 50th Anniversary Medal was limited from the effective date of 15 April 1992 and 15 April 1994. Every effort was made via press releases worldwide to bring the medal announcement to the attention of veterans. Despite numerous reference in the news media, many of those eligible missed the opportunity to apply for the government awarded medal. With this in mind, the Government of Malta decided to produce an official replica of the 50th Anniversary medal, stuck by AWARD, medallists for the original issue.
Permission for British citizens to wear this medal awarded by the Government of Malta was subsequently granted by Her Majesty the Queen.
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