September 14th - 18th 1917 Life in Malta

Life in Malta

September 14^th Monday 

Reveille at 4.00am.  Breakfast of bully beef, biscuits and pickles at 5.00am.  Landed by tenders and lighters on Misida Wharf at 6.00am.  Whole battalion marched off in light marching order at 9.30am, carrying one days rations.  Passed batches of Royal Warwick’s, Middlesex, W. Yorks Regts on the road.  We marched via St. Georges and St. Pauls Bay.  Had a rest for 1 hour at Midday near to Artillery ranges.  Arrived at Ghain Tufficha at 4.30pm 15 ½ miles – nearly killed me in the hot sun.  Had a fish tea in the canteen.  Made friends with native soldiers.

September 15^th Tuesday

Drew our kits in the morning.  In afternoon had a bathe in the big bay.  G and H Companies got orders for detachment some distance further on.

September 16^th Wednesday

G and H boys dress new drill clothing.  Got a good fit myself, but some fellows have to put tucks in theirs.  We marched off at 22.30am.  H Coy under Capt Arthur went to Melleha Bay, and G Coy relieved the Maltese Militia at Selmun Palace, which used to be one of the old Kinds of Malta castle, but is now a telephone and lookout station.  Inside the Palace is a small RC church which is used by the natives.  The old castle had to be thoroughly disinfected and cleaned out before we could live in it.  No dinner or tea.  Lived for rest of day on grapes, melons and pomegranates, which are very cheap.

 September 17^th Thursday

 4 parades a day with awful grub.  All we’ve had today is bread and tea without sugar and milk and tea, cold meat and bread for dinner.  Feeling starved, so made it up with grapes and figs.

 

September 18^th Friday  

Routine as yesterday and no extra grub.  Am learning what it is to have pangs of hunger.  Messrs Dickinson start a canteen here.  First payment of 14/- in Malta.  Want to bathe that evening in Eagle Bay.  Very nice and cool.