Facelift for statue honouring Gibraltarian soldiers

A statue of a Gibraltar Defence Force soldier on guard during World War II has been refurbished by volunteers from HQ Company of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, with the backing of the Grand Battery House Trust.

The statue on Casemates Hill was first unveiled 20 years ago but had become weather beaten and surrounded by overgrown shrubbery.

It is dedicated to all those who have served in the now defunct Gibraltar Volunteer Corps and Gibraltar Defence Force, and the Royal Gibraltar Regiment that succeeded both organisations.

The newly refurbished statue was formally unveiled yesterday by Dr John Cortes, the Minister for Heritage, and Louis Pereira, who served in the GDF, in the presence of Lieutenant Colonel David King, the Commanding Officer of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, and Gibraltar soldiers.

Also present were other veterans who had served in the GDF, including William Piccone, Louis Pereira, Anthony Sena and James Garro, as well as the Gibraltar regiment’s Honorary Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Francis Brancato.

All four veterans are now in the 90s but were part of the fourth intake into the Gibraltar Defence Force in 1945.

Pic by Eyleen Sheil