The heroism of Captain Andrew Moynihan

In Gordon Caruana Dingli’s article ‘Moynihan House bites the dust’ (Times of Malta, March 2) and Prof. Joseph Galea’s letter to the editor ‘Save Moynihan House’ (The Sunday Times of Malta, March 10), both correspondents made impassioned pleas for Moynihan House in St George’s Bay to be preserved.

Given the threat to this structure I would like to draw attention to the bravery demonstrated by Captain Andrew Moyni­han, VC, father of the first Lord Moynihan, who lived there in the 1860s and is buried at Ta’ Braxia cemetery. Captain Andrew Moynihan of the 8th (the King’s) Regiment of Foot, was one of only a few holders of that most esteemed proof of valour and bravery, the Victoria Cross, to have lived in Malta.

My research into the oeuvre of Maltese photographer Leandro Preziosi indicates that Moynihan may well have posed as one of his sitters. The accompanying photo shows an officer of the 8th Regiment of Foot as indicated by the regimental number and the figure of the Hanoverian White Horse on his cap badge.

Few clear images of Moynihan have been located; however, those that have demonstrate similar facial features and hairstyles (both surmounting and surrounding the face),...