The connections between the Royal Navy and the Wickman Maritime Collection of Xghajra were further strengthened recently. Captain Robert G. Cooling, RN commanding officer of HMS Illustrious, presented the collection with the White Ensign worn by HMS Illustrious when the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the ship in Grand Harbour on November 24.

The Wickman Maritime Collection includes a depository of some historical naval flags, including the Blue Ensign and Hospital Flag worn by HM Naval Hospital Ship St Margaret of Scotland, one of the hospital ships which brought to Malta many casualties from the Gallipoli campaign during the first world war.

The flags were initially presented and ordered to be placed in the chapel at Bighi Naval Hospital by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty in 1917. When Bighi closed down in 1970, the flags were donated to the collection. They include the Maltese flag made on board and worn by HMS Lion (Captain E.F. Hamilton-Meikle, RN) during Malta's independence celebrations in 1964. This flag witnessed Malta being saluted for the first time as an independent state by the many foreign men-of-war assembled in Grand Harbour for the occasion.

Another flag of interest is the admiral's flag worn by the frigate Whitey (Cdr G.C. Le Mesurier, RN) when Admiral Sir John Hamilton, the last Commander-in-Chief, left Malta in 1967. The end of the British presence is remembered by a White Ensign from the barge of Rear Admiral O.N.A. Cecil (later Sir Nigel Cecil).

Normally the name Illustrious brings memories of the part played by the fourth ship to bear that name during the second world war. Another ship by that name, the battleship Illustrious of 14,000 tons, ordered under the Spencer Programme of 1893, on commissioning in May 1898 by Captain Sir Richard Poore, RN, was sent to the Mediterranean, spending some six years on this station. She replaced the Victorious which was transferred to the China Station. For a short time she acted as flagship of the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Sir John Fisher.

The Illustrious was a popular ship on the station, on top of the list in gunnery and sports. In entertainment her "Illustrious Serenaders" on many occasions occupied the boards of the Royal Naval Canteen Theatre, the Naval Church Institute and other places.