Winston Churchill | typed letter signed, addressed to the people of Malta, November 1962

Sir Winston Churchill

typed letter signed, to A. Montanaro

addressing the people of Malta ("...I shall always remember the gallant part that Malta and the Maltese played in the Second World War..."), 1 page, 8vo, headed stationery of 28 Hyde Park Gate, London, November 1962

[with:] A. Montanaro, retained copy of a letter to Churchill, explaining that he is the editor of a Maltese newsaper, Il Berqa, and asking for "a short message to the people of Malta" to form part of a "short illustrated biography of yourself", 1 page, 4to, 13 November 1962; Anthony Montague Browne, private secretary to Churchill, typed letter signed, enclosing the letter from Churchill, 1 page, 8vo, 21 November 1962; press photograph of Churchill, in uniform and smoking a cigar

The Siege of Malta from 1940-42 was a powerful symbol of resistance to the Nazi onslaught in the early years of World War Two. The island was famously awarded the George Cross in 1942 for the inhabitants' heroism under siege.