On 13 Dec 1974, Malta became a republic within the Commonwealth. The first president of the new Republic was Sir Anthony Mamo, a former Chief Justice, who had served as Governor General following the departure of Sir Maurice Dorman.
In 1974, the British Labour Government carried a review of its military needs in peace time. The Government proposed to save £4700 million in defence spending over ten years. 35,000 serviceman were to go and 41 Cdo RM based at Malta was to be disbanded.
Defence costs to be reduced by £4,700m over 10 years.Times [London, England] 4 December. 1974: 1. The Times Digital Archive.