Two RN vessels of Operation Pedestal in Grand Harbour commemoration

The Royal Navy aircraft-carrier Ark Royal (Captain Alan Massey), wearing the flag of the Commander Ampibious Task Group, Commodore Jamie Miller, and the Type 42 destroyer HMS Southampton (Cdr Gary Doyle) arrive on Thursday to participate in the ceremonies of tribute to the men who in August 1942 fought through the epic convoy to relieve besieged Malta in Operation Pedestal.

The ships will not only be participating in the various ceremonies but will also contribute to the programme with receptions for the 110 veterans who will be in Malta as the guests of the Maltese Government. One of the social events will be a joint reception by Commodore Miller and Brigadier Rupert Montanaro, commander of the Armed Forces of Malta.

The Royal Navy is also being represented by Rear Admiral Rob Stevens and by Rear Admiral Scott Lidbetter, officer commanding 3 Group RAF Strike Headquarters.

The carrier's Royal Marine band will take part in the Grand Harbour re-enactment on Friday and, it is expected, should the weather be favourable, the band will also perform the Beat Retreat ceremony on the flight deck on another evening.

Representatives of the Royal Navy will be guests at the Tribute Concert on Thursday.

The Royal Navy will participate in the ceremony at the Cenotaph at Floriana at noon on Sunday.

Both previous ships of the same name were lost during the last war assisting in the defence of Malta.

Ark Royal was torpedoed in the Western Mediterranean in November 1941 after flying Hurricane reinforcements for the island. The cruiser Southampton was sunk by German bombers making their debut in the Central Mediterranean in January 1941 within hours of her disembarking troops in Grand Harbour.

The visit continues the strong links between Malta and the Royal Navy that were forged in peace and war.