Latest Donation

Retired Colonel Mark Weldon, while on a visit to these islands, has very kindly donated various items related to his father – Brigadier H.E.C. ‘Koko’ Weldon CBE ADC's amateur dramatic activity in wartime Malta to Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna – the Malta Heritage Trust. Amongst these items are play scripts, Crackerjacks Company and MADC play programmes, photographs and correspondence. Some of these items will be placed on permanent display at the Malta at War Museum at Couvre Porte, Birgu forming part of a new display about wartime entertainment in Malta.

The items were presented to Mario Farrugia, FWA Chairman by Colonel Weldon who was accompanied by his lovely wife Cathie. Both were taken on an extensive guided tour of the War Rooms where Major Weldon had served during the Siege 1940-43. On display here are some of the items donated.

Colonel Weldon will stay for a fortnight in Malta and wishes to hear from anyone who may have known or has acted with his father during the war in Malta. Interested parties are kindly asked to contact FWA by sending an email: info@wirtartna.org to be put in touch with him.

Hamilton Edward Crosdill Weldon (1910-1985)

Brigadier Weldon was born in 1910 and was educated at Charterhouse School and Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. He was commissioned as 2nd Lt. Royal Artillery in 1930; Lieutenant in 1933 and Captain in 1938. In Malta, he was Adjutant during 1939-1940; Brigade Major in 1941 and General Staff Officer Grade 1 during the period 1941-1943. He attended Staff College, Camberley in 1943-1944 and became Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General, later Assistant Quartermaster General, SHAEF (Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force) during 1944-1945. In 1945, he was promoted to General Staff Officer Grade 1, later Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General, HQ 21 Army Group. During the period 1944-1946, he was Assistant Quartermaster General, British Army of the Rhine. Subsequently, he was Assistant Quartermaster General, HQ Southern Command, 1948-1951; British Army of the Rhine, 1951-1952; Col on Staff of SHAPE, 1952-1953; Command of 22 Light Anti-Aircraft Regt, Germany, 1953-1955; Assistant Quartermaster General, War Office, 1955-1958; Commander, 33 Anti-Aircraft Bde, 1958-1960; Commandant, School of Artillery, 1960-1962; ADC to the Queen, 1961-1962; Secretary, County of London Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association, 1962-1968, and Greater London Territorial Auxiliary and Volunteer Reserve Association, 1968-1974. He died in 1985.

Hamilton ‘Koko’ Weldon arrived in Malta as a Royal Artillery Captain just before the war broke out and remained all through the Siege and the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943. During this period, he served in various senior command positions in the Royal Artillery serving in 7 LAA Brigade at the Combined War HQ in Valletta. He was mentioned twice in despatches. Despite his many responsibilities he found time for amateur dramatics taking part in various productions by the Malta Amateur Dramatic Company (formed in 1910). Some of these productions were held for the benefit of troops stationed in the field all over the island as a morale booster. He also wrote and produced several plays some of which were based against a Malta background. In 1946, he published the book ‘Drama in Malta’ in which he gives an interesting account of the war and his service on the Island interspersed with amateur dramatic activity.