Anthony Darmanin was born in Corfu, Greece, on the 15th February 1890 from Maltese parents. At the beginning of the century his family moved permanently to Malta, where, in 1905 - at the young age of 15 - he joined the British Army as a 'boy' and was posted to the Regimental Band, for he had a great love for music. Anthony became a very good musician and a smart soldier.   In fact, in 1920 he was promoted to Drum Major in the Regimental Band of the Royal Malta Artillery, a rank he kept until he retired from the army in 1936.   That same year he married Emmanuela (nee' Gruppetta) from Sliema. On the 4th March 1927, he was the Drum Major at the funeral of Malta much loved British Colonial Governor, the late Sir Walter Congrave, who was buried at sea between the Mnajdra Temple and the isle of Filfla. The Governor 1924 till 1927 Drum Major A. Darmanin , March 4th, 1927, State Funeral: Sir W.N.Congreve Anthony study theory of music and had conducted serval Bands.   In 1923 he was the first Band Master of the Sliema Band and later held the same position at Hal Lija.   Between the years 1928-38, Anthony Darmanin was the conductor of the Stella Maris Band, Sliema.   He wrote several marches as well as the beautiful 'Hymn of Our Lady of Stella Maris' in 1930. Stella Maris, Sliema, Band Master -- circa 1938 In 1936 he retired from military life and found a new job as a Ward Master at the Connaught Hospital, a position he kept until the age of 60, when he stopped working altogether until he passed away -- at the age of 80 -- in August 1970. If you knew Anthony or have anything to share about the events of the day, please contact us via email: my-malta.com. Thank you.