Family Memories War

Maltese Winter

Wed 13 Dec 1944

December and January in the Maltese winter, and nearly all its rain falls in these months. The weather becomes less warm and quite chilly at times. We light fires in the evening mostly from driftwood collected from nearby beaches.

Thurs 14 Dec 1944

Stayed in by fire. Supper at cookhouse. Cheaper and an alternative to the NAFFL the other side of the immense parade ground.

Sat 16 Dec 1944

Down to Valetta after having had a hot shower. Went to Magistral Hall with its tapestries. For tea, fish and chips at the colonial restaurant. Back by ferry and walk back to St. Georges.

Sun 17 Dec 1044

A long walk to Shain-luffia via St. Pauls Bay. A coast walk. St. Paul’s Bay very attractive. A narrow neck of fertile island. Diverse crops. Banana trees and irrigation systems. Tanks filled by water wheels, lifting tower by horses at the turn tables. Shain-luffia another pleasant spot. Then over the ridge to Mellieha, with church in an imposing position above hair pin bends in the road. Very many children playing in the dirty streets. The hooded dress of women going to church “The Faldelta”. A good view of the islands Comino and Gozo. Red clover in the fields. Dates are still small and unripe. Back via Birkirkara. There were nasty rubbish dumps at intervals, tin cans mostly. No wonder we were issued with a tin opener.

Note Usual entries, visits to Sliema and Toc H, reading, writing, wireless and so on and of course Pay Office work.

Mon 25 Dec 1944

Xmas day. On guard duty which consisted of merely being present in the office building. Very quiet day, reading, writing etc.

Tues 26 Dec 1944

Post contained newspapers, table tennis balls and tobacco.

Thurs 28 Dec 1944

Day off – wind and rain. Letter from my wife in which she states signs of forthcoming event are already beginning to show.

Fri 29 Dec 1944

Leave for a few selected long-serving soldiers could be taken in Sicily. We learnt the boat was sunk in a storm. One of our Sergeants was saved but many others were drowned. It was a small boat, very poor ship, of Jugo Slav origin.

Sat 20 Dec 1944

Collected photographs from Sliema. Bill Harris a Birmingham chap had seen service on the Pay Corps in Syria, Palestine and Egypt and showed his pictures.

Sun 31 Dec 1944

Letters etc. Duke of Gloucester on the island on his way to Australia. Orders that no mention was to be made in letters.

Tues 2 Jan 1945

One of our lot beaten up in Sliema, possibly his own fault from over celebration on New Years Eve.

Wed 3 Jan

Weather chilly and wet. Rumours of local gangs operating for robbery. Advice to go out several together.

Sat 6 Jan

Five kitbags full of drift wood for firing. To Command Hall at Valetta. Missed lorry back, had to walk. Back at 12.30

Mon 8 Jan

H.M.S. Bicester in harbour, the adopted ship of the Pay corps. Ships crew usually entertained but lack of funds prevented this.

Thurs 11 Jan

Fed up with hanging around barracks. Went down to Sliema crossed by ferry to Valetta. Looked around shops. To Vernon Services Club. To Command Hall. Variety Show, comedians, dances, sketches, accordionist, baritones and sopranos. Back by shousa, a ferry boat and army lorry. Very dark and eerie in back streets of Valetta no street lamps all sorts of shadows amongst the very, very many bombed buildings.

Joke: Tripped over a ration book and hurt badly by falling on the points.

Sun 14 Jan

Started a walk at 9.45 am to Birkara, Segovia and Zuriack to the Blue Grotto a deep ravine leading down to the sea. Very rocky with high cliffs, wild and dangerous. Back to Zuriack to catch 4pm bus back to Valetta and then by usual ferry to Sliema. Supper at St. Andrews café egg and chips. Back by 7pm.

Mon 15 Jan

One more on U.K. leave after over 4 years overseas service. Work pushed, two civilians have left and two on U.K. leave. Demobilisation start but very few far between. Tombola. Included in Sundays walk were the occasions of seeing groups of villagers playing tombola. We thought it primitive.

Note: Nowadays they call it Bingo (very similar) but no different in set up.

Sat 20 Jan

To command Hall “The Gang show” R.A.F. very good all male cast. Jokes: Definition of a chiffonier – a tall thing with drawers. If your husband is backward, sent it forward. Never put the pansies in a bed with the Sweet Williams. A quick growing hollyhock plant it and jump back. Going down a street and fell over two sand bags. One turned over and said “you will take me back home with you won’t you darling!"

Sun 21 Jan

Up early for breakfast and then another walk. To Chadwick Lakes. These are in a Wadi. Three of four of them in a string used as reservoirs. Only a limited use as they become dry in later months. Lunch at Rabat. Back down valley at Mosta. Return by 4.15pm

Mon 22 Jan

Good news from Russian front. Went to the Education block to look at maps and a browse around books and pamphlets. Windy and wet.

Thurs 25 Jan

Rumour that Roosevelt Churchill and Stalin will meet on the island.

Fri 26 Jan

Rumour correct. Preparations for the meeting of the big Three in hand, large ship and destroyers congregating in the harbour. Leave stopped. No letters, no outward mail.

Sat 27 Jan

Local leave allowed. One week. Tennis. Hot shower changed clothes. At 5pm to Valetta. Collected films. To Command Hall. Snooker and show. Winning plays of the weeks 1. Dr B Toole with the Irish Players 2. The Bear with H.M.S. St. Angela. (Tchekov) 3. The Distant Drum with the Service Players. H.M.S St. Angelo won. Back in lorry for 11.15pm The prizes were presented by Lady Schreiber in the presence of the Governor.

Sun 28 Jan

A days walk to Mellieha (with one or two lifts). Passed Marfo Ridge Back to Mellieha and bus to Birkara. St. Georges for 4.30 pm.