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16-583: It is one of four surviving coastal watchtowers in Gozo, with the others being Xlendi Tower , Mġarr ix-Xini Tower and Isopu Tower . The Dwejra Tower was built in 1652 during the magistracy of Grand Master Giovanni Paolo Lascaris , and was funded by the University of Gozo. It is one of the Lascaris towers , which was meant to act as a watchtower and guard the surrounding areas from corsair landings. This tower, just like

32-614: A British colony . The regiment was recruited and organised by Francesco Rivarola in 1815; Rivarola had proved himself loyal to the British Crown in fighting France. In 1861 the regiment was disbanded as an infantry unit and designated as a coastal artillery defence regiment, becoming the Royal Malta Fencible Artillery. The regiment was clothed in the same uniform as the rest of the British army and all ranks dress uniform

48-533: A set of Maltese commemorative stamps (the 4 Cent stamp) included an illustration of an officer of the regiment in dress uniform of 1839. British Army units designated Fencibles were normally local forces raised for defence of an immediate locality and were commonplace in the United Kingdom . Many of Malta's noble families would provide the regiment with its officers The regiment initially consisted of ten companies of Maltese soldiers and these were spread over

64-400: Is now in good condition and is open to the public at no charge. From RAF Operations Record Book RAF 1435 Squadron (National Archives, UK Ref AIR 27/2342) This Malta location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Xlendi Tower Xlendi Tower ( Maltese : Torri tax-Xlendi ) is a small watchtower near Xlendi Bay, within the limits of Munxar on

80-584: The Baliff Baldassare de Demandolx. Construction began soon after, and it was complete by June 1650. The Università of Gozo paid the cost of construction. The tower is rectangular and its design is similar to that of the earlier Lascaris towers on Malta. Unlike the earlier Lascaris towers, Xlendi Tower has an additional platform with a slope to its base on the seaward side. It has a flat roof, where guns were mounted. Initially it held two 6-pounder guns, which were later replaced by two 4-pounder guns. Entrance to

96-727: The British era the tower became the responsibility of the Royal Malta Fencible Regiment (1815–1861), which became the Royal Malta Fencible Artillery (1861–81). When the Fencible Artillery was relieved of its coastal watch duties in 1873, the tower was abandoned. During World War II , the Coast Police manned the tower as an observation post. In 1954 the tower was leased to private persons but eventually it

112-648: The Malta Garrison), presented the regiment with a set of colours on the Floriana Parade Ground . The regiment parading was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel the Marquess de Piro . Between 1829 and 1839 the unit's officer manning levels remained fairly stable at: In 1856 Imperial account returns record that the "Royal Malta Fencibles" cost the Crown just under £12,197, less £1,099 in pay stoppages. On 3 January 1862

128-455: The island of Gozo in Malta . The tower is one of the Lascaris towers and dates to 1650; it is currently undergoing restoration. It is the oldest of the four surviving watchtowers on Gozo, the three others being Dwejra Tower , Mġarr ix-Xini Tower and Isopu Tower . The earlier Garzes and Marsalforn towers were destroyed in the 18th and 19th centuries. Xlendi Tower was proposed in 1649 by

144-500: The main island of Malta, with seven based in garrison areas within the greater Valletta area. Three of the companies were trained as coastal artillery, and were located in fixed defensive points in and around St Julian’s , Marsaxlokk and St Paul's Bay . In 1817 the unit would be reduced to six companies, each under the command of a captain. The regiment augmented the island's police force and provided young officers to act as adjutants to local police force commanders. However by 1821

160-527: The other towers, could communicate to nearby defence fortifications through fire and smoke, at night and day, respectively. The expenses for running the tower were covered by producing salt from the nearby salt pans. It was equipped with three 6-pounder guns in the eighteenth century. In 1744, Grand Master Pinto made going to the Fungus Rock illegal because a plant, popularly known as the Maltese fungus , growing on

176-626: The rock's flat top was believed to have medicinal powers, and Dwejra Tower was used as a lookout to prevent anyone climbing on the islet. The tower was manned by the Royal Malta Fencible Artillery between 1839 and 1873. It was then abandoned until 1914, during the time of the First World War , when the King's Own Malta Regiment and the Royal Malta Artillery were dispatched and it was manned by No. 3 Company with two (later four) 12-pounder guns. It

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192-475: The tower is via an external flight of stairs that connects to the only doorway, which is situated on the second floor. Originally, the tower was under the command of a Capomastro , assisted by a bombardier, and an Aggiutante , all of whom were paid by the Università. At night, three men manned the tower. Salt pans are located close to the tower. By 1681 it was already in poor condition, needing renovation. During

208-656: The unit was tasked with general military duties, giving up its police tasks. In 1835 an article in the United Services Magazine put the total strength of the unit at 468; in 1836 Statistics of the Colonies of the British Empire gave far more detail on the Royal Malta Fencible Regiment's establishment as: On 21 November 1838 Lieutenant General Sir Henry F Bouverie (Governor of Malta and commanding

224-511: Was a close-fitting scarlet tunic with tails, blue facings and gold lace for officers, dark blue/grey trousers or white overalls and headgear being the standard black infantry shako of various patterns issued to the British Army during the time of the unit's establishment. The shako badge was modelled on the British infantry standard eight-pointed facetted star with a Maltese crest at the centre and an immediate surrounding regimental title. In 1989

240-600: Was abandoned. The tower was handed to the Munxar Local Council and Din l-Art Ħelwa in October 2009. They were engaged to restore the tower, while sharing the expenses equally. In 2024, Din l-Art Ħelwa does not have guardianship of Xlendi tower. Royal Malta Fencible Regiment The Royal Malta Fencible Regiment was an infantry battalion of the British Army which existed from 1815 to 1861 in Malta , then

256-565: Was again used in World War II as an observation post, and on the 27th March 1943, Captain Frank Debono and Carmelo Zahra, who were stationed there, rescued an RAF pilot who had crash-landed his Mark Vb Spitfire on the cliffs overlooking the bay. The tower was leased to Gerald de Trafford in 1956. It was passed on loan to Din l-Art Ħelwa in a state of complete dilapidation. The tower was restored by Din l-Art Ħelwa between 1997 and 1999. It

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