In April 1800, Brigadier General Thomas Graham raised the first official embodiment of Maltese Troops in the British Army, which became known as the Maltese Light Infantry. This battalion of men was disbanded in 1802 and succeeded by the Maltese Provincial Battalions, the Malta Coast Artillery and the Maltese Veterans.

In 1815, Lt. Col. Count Francis Rivarola was entrusted with the task of raising the Royal Malta Fencible Regiment following the disbandment of the Provincials, Veterans and Coast Artillery.

The Royal Malta Fencible Regiment was converted to an Artillery Regiment in 1861 and became known as the Royal Malta Fencible Artillery. Twenty-eight years later the worthy predecessors of the Armed Forces of Malta came into existence following the formation of the Royal Malta Artillery on 23rd March 1889.

The Royal Malta Artillery, more widely known as the RMA, is famed for the part it played during the siege of Malta during the Second World War. 1st Regiment RMA served in the British Army of the Rhine from 1962 to early 1970.

In 1970, the Malta Government assumed responsibility for the Royal Malta Artillery. Incorporating also the Royal Engineers (Malta) it was reinstituted as the Malta Land Force.

On the 19th of April 1973 the Malta Land Force was redesignated The Armed Forces of Malta. New responsibilities were taken on - including the raising of the Malta Pioneer Corps and the Dirghajn il-Maltin. These Corps in turn were replaced by the Dejma Corps, which existed from June 1981 to December 1989. Suffice to say that over 15,000 men and women served in the Corps over a period of sixteen years.

The AFM presently consists of a Headquarters, and three Regiments. 1st Regiment is established as an Infantry Battalion; 2nd Regiment consists of a Maritime Squadron, Air Squadron and an Air Defence Battery; 3rd Regiment incorporates all the Logistics Services.

From the above, you get an idea of the versatile Maltese soldier, steeped in military tradition with the capability of applying himself to any role required or assigned. A soldier who has always served and honoured his country in both peace and war.

Lt Col Count Rivarola	Private and Gunner Royal Malta Fencible Regt	Lt Col Antonio Mattei, Commanding Officer Royal Malta Fencible Artillery