Albert G. Mackinnon

Albert G. Mackinnon (also cited in full as Albert Glenthorne Mackinnon) was a British chaplain‑major and writer whose firsthand account of Malta’s role in World War I was published in 1916 as Malta: The Nurse of the Mediterranean. The book, originally released by Hodder & Stoughton in London, is a personal narrative and historical account documenting the island’s transformation into a major medical and hospital centre for wounded and sick servicemen from campaigns such as Gallipoli and Salonika — a role that earned Malta the enduring nickname “the Nurse of the Mediterranean.”

Mackinnon’s memoir‑style work combines practical observations, reflections on humanitarian medical service, and vivid reportage from the hospital wards, capturing both the logistical challenges and the spirit of care that defined Malta’s wartime contribution. It has since been reprinted in modern editions, preserving this early primary source for historians, scholars of military medical history, and readers interested in the island’s significant, compassionate role in the Great War.