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.

August 11th - 14th 1914 - Thanks & Gratitude

August 11^th Tuesday

An American millionaire Mr Morgan, is very kind, the ladies maids bring us fruit, tea and soup each day.  They come to us in a motor at midday with soup and again at teatime with baskets of fruit also tea.

They are very kind to us.  We are in love with them all. 

August 12^th Wednesday

We are awfully lucky here.  Everybody is ready to help us.  Some friendly people who pass us every morning stop their car to give us newspapers and chat, also Sir John Knightley sends up his housemaid with fruit and lemonade.  Of course, we made her stay in our little shanty to team, and had a pleasant time on the whole.  Absolutely enjoying ourselves here.

August 13^th Thursday

Harry Clark and I went down to Alton to make purchases.  This is a splendid little town and is noted for its breweries.

August 14^th Friday

A housemaid comes in again, stayed to tea, whilst halfway through our meal, Capt. Hamilton arrived with pay of 6/- each, of course we were a bit flurried, but he said he did not mind and then joined the party, much to our amusement, but later Harry and I took her home.

August 8th, 9th and 10th 1914 - Food & Money -

August 8^th Saturday 

Dried our clothes over the fire in morning and then had a good breakfast of thick toast, tea and kippers.

Then my chum Harry Clark and S are told to report to next outpost for orders.  On arriving there, I had to wait, no dinner, so went out for a time to find some, got drenched with rain, but a farmers wife took us in and fed us.  About 2.00pm we were told to report ourselves at Cattle Creek (near outpost) for instruction.  

Whilst waiting there I received my first payment in the Army of 5/-.  About 4 o’clock we moved still further down to Mill Court and there made ourselves comfortable in a platelayers hut.  With other, our duty here is to guard 2 bridges and patrol ¼ mile of line.  We are quite close to the River Wey. 

August 9^th Sunday

During the morning Capt. Hamilton paid us £2.00 each, part of our £5.00 mobilization pay.  Have quite settled down to work.  My hours are 11.00 midday and the same midnight.

August 10^th Monday

We all set out to visit Holybourne, Randall’s stores made a good stop and there I bought my first pair of hobnailed boots.  Between us we bought enough delicacies to last us a week.  This is a pretty village.

August 5th, 6th and 7th 1914 - Early Days -

August 5^th Wednesday

Clark, Saunders and myself, do Platform guards and Patrol.  Remainder do all fatigues and carry rations, but Walker is very kind to us, sent us plenty of apples etc.  Train after train comes through to Borden Camp with Reservists from all parts, also Artillery and Cavalry are rushed through to Southampton.

 

August 6^th Thursday

A big batch of recruits and ex-service men arrive to reinforce us, also Capt Hamilton.  A Reserve Territorial Officer.  We have been living on Bully Beef biscuits, kippers and cheese up till now.  But tonight a supply of meat and bread arrives.

August 7^th Friday

6 others and myself are moved further down the line to S. Bule’s Nursery.  Came under Capt. Lloyd.  Took up our duties right away.  We spent our night on a bundle of hay in the hayloft.  Then it commenced to rain and of course I got wet through whilst on Sentry.