Thank You

These diaries have now gone into storage, to keep them safe and are very much still with the family!

Thank you for all your feedback and kind words, it was such an honour to have these to read, investigate and relive.

Never forget what they sacrificed for us from the beginning and if you'd like to continue to help, please visit the Royal British Legion and give, give, give:

http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/

R.I.P.

January 1st - 9th 1915

January 1st 1915. Friday.

Nothing to do now. Appealed to Major Parr, but he said, the list had been send in to headquarters and could not be altered. Swore that Sergt Risley had dropped me for this, had an awful row with him and wished him to the devil and nearly got put in the guardroom over it. Down in the dumps.

January 2nd. Saturday.

Life with a new battalion. Relived at 4. My last dealings with 4th. Fell in with them but then got slung out and said goodbye to all, many cheers. They marched off at 6:30, destination unknown. Felt heartbreak. Were told we would be eventually following them, then home in a fortnights time, am doubtful. Marched to St. Georges at 5 and reports to 2/4th. Met one of two old 4th fellows that I know. Found out that 2nd, 3rd and 4th batts had left. Had to sleep on a stone floor, with no bed.

January 3rd. (Saturday, Crossed Out) Sunday.

Hanging around the barracks all day. Were treated rotten and got hardly any food. Slept on floor again, but with two blankets this time.

January 4th. Monday.

Medical exam. Passed fit for service. Had argument with Major Parr. Appointed to our companies, I go to 'B' under Capt. Parkhouse, an 1/4th Officer who was left at home.

January 5th. Tuesday

Served with new equipment and arms, also a bed. Col. Dunfee spoke to us and said we were to behave as gentlemen, thus practically insinuating we were rogues. Put in room B4 and soon settled down.

January 6th. Wednesday

On barracks once more. Very easy time for us fellows, as the new lot are not so far advanced as we are. Easy time, nothing new. Having much better food though!

January 7th. Thursday

Room cleaning, off all parades. Inspection at two then finished. So passed time away, writing letters home.

January 8th. Friday.

We have a new instructor. Buch (?) Cox R.G.A. Under him all day for bayonet fighting and physical exercise. Rather strenuous work.

January 9th. Saturday.

Early morning exercise under Cox, rest of morning under Capt. (?) and Lieut Edwards, who were left behind with us. Paid 8/6. Then took all the fellows to Valetta.

December 26th - 31st 1914

December 26th - Saturday

We all have thick heads, did not get to bed till after 1am. Mounted guard at 6 again till 9. Did not feel up to it. Head is spinning, I am half asleep.

December 27th - Sunday

A strong rumour about leaving Malta for England. Off guard at 09:30. Went to the Dublin Bar with our Irish friends. Lieutenant Long treats us to 1/- each. Had a real good feed followed by a sing song. Got back to barracks at 10:30pm.

December 28th - Monday

Told to pack our kits before mounting guard, on the usual post at night. Relived by 1st Batt. at 12:30. Had dinner and then marched off to Ghajn Tuffieha Bay at 2:30. Had own tea on arrival, were examined by Major Parr and passed alright. Happy as sandboys.

December 29th - Tuesday

Handed in our drills and helmets. Everybody is completely rigged out in (can't read due to smudge) and small kit. Big Xmas mail in, was fairly lucky about 10 letters and parcels.

December 30th - Wednesday

Marched to St. Georges and handed in old equipment and arms. Done over 20 miles. Taken before Major Parr when I got back with the other fellows and we were told we could not go. No exam.

Would not accept it, made a complaint and had awful row that night with Gen. Sgt.

December 31st - Thursday

Checking stores all day, tables, forms, lamps, tents, blankets & accoutrements. Others handed their kits in, I were out away, mine refused. Felt miserable & wild & vicious in turn. Went and appealed to Capt Saunders but he could not help me.

Christmas Day 1914

December 25^th Friday 1914

Christmas Day.

My first away from home.

At break of day all churches ring their bells and at the same time had a very severe rainstorm and got drenched, not very cheerful, but still it soon cleared and our spirits restored.

Off guard at 9.00am. Paid 7/-. Spratts biscuits, jam and tea for dinner.

We all clubbed round 1/- each to have a good time. Sgt Cornwall and Deakins work hard all day to give us a good feed.

Dinner at 5.30pm. Menu Roast Turkey with stuffing, Roast Beef, Yorkshire Pudding, Greens boiled and baked potatoes, followed by the customary pudding with brandy sauce. Tables then cleared by defaulters.

Alfresco smoking concert afterwards. Plenty of cigars, cigarettes, beer, minerals and fruit to be had.

Each man was presented with a Regimental Pipe and Pouch with crest and 1/6 lb Navy tobacco.

Concert finished at 11.00pm and then we went out to Gospicun and finished the evening there.

December 19th to Christmas Eve 1914

December 19^th Saturday

Off guard at 9.30am. Paid 7/- and waited for dinner. Directly afterwards all of us crossed the harbour by ferry, all happy as sand boys up to any devilry. Went round the bay and bought various little odds and ends. Finished the evening in the wine shops.

December 20^th Sunday

On guard as usual, know my beat like a book, also regular passers by. Prisoners have a singsong, supposed to be Kaiser’s b’day and did not pack up till 2.00am.

December 21^st Monday

Off duty at 9.30am, as there was nothing to do all day, Gael and I went down to the docks and looked over some of the warships being repaired there.

December 22^nd Tuesday

Usual guard again, Maltese are building us stone guard rooms, to replaced the damaged tents. Raining cats and dogs, but we managed to keep a bit dry.

December 23^rd Wednesday

Off at 9.30am. Small mail in, I got a parcel from home and a few letters, also another parcel from Mrs Causton.

December 24^th Thursday

Christmas Eve. On No 5 Guard this time. In the middle of English quarter a Scots woman gives us some jugs of cocoa to warm us up. Germans have another night of revelling. Their hard lot does not seem to trouble them. The natives stay up all night and march all round the town, singing accompanied by banjos and violins.

December 15th - 18th 1914

December 15^th Tuesday

Off guard at 9.00am. Had a rifle inspection 1 hour later. Could do as we pleased for the rest of the day. So made a tour of the town and shops.

December 16^th Wednesday

Same guard as before. Nearly all 3^rd Batt men are Prisoners baggage guard. 200 cartloads came in. Sure sign that the Navy is still knocking about. Rained hard during the night and got drenched to the skin. We are worse off than the prisoners who have better food and beds.

December 17^th Thursday

85 Prisoners, Germans, Turks and Austrians brought in, but majority are Germans off a liner. Have got the Commander and some of the crew of the ‘Exden(tbc)’ here. Unlucky again, not relieved till 6.00pm.

December 18^th Friday

On at the usual guard at 9.00am. Am quite used to my post on gate now. The English people here lend us newspapers. A characteristic Eastern evening, myriads of stars, lovely and cool.

December 10th - 14th 1914

December 10^th Thursday

All of us were attached to ‘C’ Coy. Marched to Vendala, under Capt Ving Bariles in 4 hours. Just missed a guard that night. C Coy Colour Seraf breaks his leg. We relieved ‘H’ Company and will do guard on alternate days with the 3^rd Batt. Established myself in No 1 Room St Pauls Bastion with Buglers Jul and Reullier. First time we have ever been in barracks.

December 11^th Friday

20 of us under Lieut Lang escorted 26 German and Austrian Prisoners from compound to a French warship and handed them over to the Froggies. Maltese hiss and spit at prisoners.

Changed our quarters to St Johns Bastion. Settled down with L/Cpl Bruce and Pte Galé. Proper beds to sleep in. Mattress, pillow, 2 sheets and 3 blankets. Have got 2 rooms to ourselves.

Racks, lockers, table forms, lamps and fireplaces in fact everything necessary.

December 12^th Saturday

Mounted guard at 9.00am and relieved 3^rd Batt men from No 4 Exterior Sentry group. Life sentry. Don’t think there is any chance of escape for Prisoners. Orders are ‘shoot on sight’.

December 13^th Sunday

More Prisoners came in, so were unfortunate and did not get relieved till 2.00pm. Washed and changed and then went out to enjoy ourselves in Gospicun. Plenty of English people.

December 14^th Monday

On No 6 guard this time, which is on the other side of Compound and much better. All of enclosure borders the town so we slip off to shops when nobody is about. Made friends with English folk. Prefer this place at any time.

December 1914 - 1st - 9th

December 1914

December 1^st Tuesday

Life is a bit dull and monotonous here. Am on fatigue all day. Cleaning up the place and washing up Company’s crockery.

December 2^nd Wednesday

Met others from Melleha and then marched to Syabia and open an enfiladed attack on the village and cross roads over hills. Ghain Qutuna again. Got drenched by rough sea.

December 3^rd Thursday

Off guard at 6.00am. Put straight on to fatigues again washing and sweeping up all day. Think of nothing else but fruit, went out and know where to find melons, figs etc, so had to take advantage of it. Winkworth got 28 days prison, asleep on guard.

December 4^th Friday

Marched to Melleha and done a mornings trench digging. Hambarton fell into a quicksand but we managed to get him out safely. Took steaks, onions and potatoes with us and had to cook them ourselves for dinner. Each had to be tested before consumption. Paid 7/- when we got back and then went to Cala Mistra. Guard at 5.00pm. Moonlight night.

December 5^th Saturday

Messing about in general all day, went for a stroll in afternoon down to St Pauls Bay. After retreat Capt Saunders stood a singsong to all in Palace in honour of his Captaincy. Plenty of cigarettes, cigars, eatables, beer and mineral waters to be had. Spent a very jolly evening all together, in fact, went to bed feeling dead beat.

December 6^th Sunday

Lieut Pyfer conducts Church Service, afterwards, Pratt, MacPherson, Ryan and I went to view the Maltese Artillery fortifications at Ghain Qutuna, which command the Melleha Bay. On guard there at 5.00pm.

December 7^th Monday

Left behind to look after tents, had a bathe, went looking for shells and then done a bit of fishing with Maltese, also visited a Cave where the natives live, quite cosy and homely it seems to be. Relieved at 6.00pm. Then went to town.

December 8^th Tuesday

Marched to Melleha at 8.30am and then done nothing but hang about all day. Marched back for dinner at 12. Ghain Qutuna guard again. A monotonous life.

December 9^th Wednesday

Has been an awfully rough and windy night. Feeling dead tired. No rest at all. While on fatigue, 14 of us get orders to pack and join 14 others from Melleha with Sergt Cornwall then proceed to headquarters for orders. Done 4 ½ miles in an hour. Found my lost kitbag.

November 23rd - 30th 1914

November 23^rd Monday

Now firing at 400 yards, obtained 14 and snapshooting at figure target. Got 3 hits. Busy all evening letter writing.

November 24^th Tuesday

Application of 5 rounds kneeling at 300 yards, obt 14 points and 15 rounds rapid at 300, obt 32 points in the morning. On the range again in afternoon. 5 rounds at 500. Got 15 points.

November 25^th Wednesday

5 rounds at 600 and got 11 points. Finished our Course. Pass 185 obt 108. 1^st Class Shot. Packing up for detachment.

November 26^th Thursday

H Coy under Capt Arthur went away to guard prisoners at Veradale. Left ½ ‘G’ Coy went to |Melleha and right half went to Selmon Palace. Lost my kit. On guard at Calla Mistra at 5.00pm. To get to our guard, which was a strip of sand on the shore and overlooked by a very steep hill, we had to descend by means of a narrow stairway cut out of the rock, known as the Devils Stairway and made by the Scottish Rifles from a height of 867 ft.

November 27^th Friday

Had to stay behind and look after all Gov. Property till the next guard relieved me at 6.00pm. So read books and wrote letters all day. Saw a Maltese catch on Octopus. Got paid 11/-. When I got back I had a tuck in, then went to sleep in a decent bed and roof overhead.

November 28^th Saturday

Marched to Melleha in the morning and done 2 hours skirmishing. Took over a new guard from Maltese at Ghain Qutusa and lost ourselves in trying to find it. A rough night.

November 29^th Sunday

Back at the Palace at 6.00am and because it’s a fine day I am put on fire piquet. Am not supposed to go out but could not resist the temptation, so went into Melleha.

November 30^th Monday

Went to Melleha again and done some more skirmishing and am on the same guard as before at 5.00pm. Have found a short cut to it now via a farm and the Maltese Artillery Fort Melleha Bay. Felt a bit mischievous on route, so we dropped over a wall and quietly borrowed some lovely grapes, pomegranates and oranges. Caught a wild cat and a snake in evening. Capt Saunders pays us a midnight visit.

November 16th - 22nd 1914

November 16^th Monday

We commence our Course of Instruction. Application firing of 5 rounds at 300 yards. Done rotten. 14 out of 20. Raining cats and dogs. Rest of day marking at the butts.

November 17^th Tuesday

Fired 7 rounds rapid in 45 secs at 300 yards, 19 out of 28. Am on butt duty every day now. Markers have to fire first in the morning. Have to keep our nuts low.

November 18^th Wednesday

Raining like the devil, but have to fire just the same, 5 rounds application at 300 yards. Got wet through while firing and only managed 9 points.

November 19^th Thursday

Snap shooting at Silhouette Figure at 300 yards with 4 secs exposure. Got 3 hits. Finished of Instructional Course. Not so well this time. Got 56 out of 88.

November 20^th Friday

Duff men tried again. Am behinds the butts all day and had a fairly easy time, especially under Capt M.F.P. Paid 7/-. Spent the evening in Recreation Room.

November 21^st Saturday

Started our Standard Test and were told that those passing 1^st Class would get 3d a day extra. Grouping of 5 rounds at 100 yards, 8-inch group, 20 out of 25.

November 22^nd Sunday

Served out with new drill suits. Church parade is washed out, but we have a ceremonial parade in memory of Lord Roberts. Got a big mail in. Plenty of letters for me. Rather lucky this time.

November 9th - 15th 1914

November 9^th Monday

Started our Qualification Test. Had to do Harmonization of Sights at 1200 yards, 25 yards range. Very easy test. All correct.

November 10^th Tuesday

Grouping of 3 shots at 25 yards. Got a 1 inch group. Not at all bad.

November 11th Wednesday

Grouping of 5 rounds at 100 yards. Got an 8 inch group. 20 pints, possible 25.

November 12^th Thursday

Fired 5 rounds on application at 200 yards off, 17 out of 20 points. Am doing very well up to the present.

November 13^th Friday

Sharp shooting 5 rounds at 200 yards off. 16 out of 20. Paid 7. -. Firing is a bit of a strain so spent evening in Camp.

November 14^th Saturday

Rapid Firing at 200 yards, 8 rounds in 45 secs. Obtained 22 points out of 32. Total 75 out of 87. Passed Qualification Test.

November 15^th Sunday

Church Service in Mess at 11.00am. Our Harvest Festival Parson from Garrison Church, The service has the Hymns ‘We plough the fields and scatter, The Sower went forth sowing and now thank we all our God’. Collection from Red X. Collected over £11.00.

November 1st - 8th 1914 - Learning Weapons & Sport

NB: Take note that they were enlisted as a Machine Gunner and others in similar roles, yet they had never really fired anything before. I think the overwhelming madness of the WW1 was the sheer amount of information and things that they just didn't know. Imagine going into a war in the modern era with limited military intelligence. Back then, they just did it because that's what you meant to do. They did also find time for football though, of course!

November 1914

November 1^st Sunday

Church parade as usual. Got a mail up and considered myself lucky to get a few letters from home.

November 2^nd Monday

Started to learn field firing at disappearing targets and taking cover.

November 3^rd Tuesday

Now they have put us on Rapid firing, which is loading, firing and unloading 15 rounds in 1 minute. Fairly easy.

November 4^th Wednesday

Went on to Range and had a test in Visual training. Managed to find 5 out of 7 targets.

November 5^th Thursday

Marched over to Melleha Ridge and had our test on judging distance. Done fairly well. Only had 10% of error.

November 6^th Friday

Had our test in Rapid loading. Had to load, take ammunition out of pouches and close them up each time, and unload 90 rounds in a minute. Done it in 57 secs. Paid 7/-. G Coy played C Coy at cricket. Beat them by 6 wickets.

November 7^th Saturday

Nothing much to do now before firing. Just revising a bit and had to explain everything ourselves. That afternoon ‘G’ Coy played ‘C’ Coy at football and won 3-1.

November 8^th Sunday

Church Service at 6.00am. Went to St Pauls Bay after dinner and had my usual weekly bust up. Of course I have to mix with civilians here, especially the females. Our 1^st Batt pitches camp close by.

October 30th & 31st 1914

October 30^th Friday

Half day off to-day. Had to revise all the particular things that were taught in the week. Paid 11/- which includes a months kit pay. Went over to Melleha in afternoon to see some Maltese friends.

October 31^st Saturday

Rifle inspection at 9.00am, followed by a kit inspection at 10.00am. Quite an easy day for us. After dinner found a quiet spot to have a pleasant siesta in.

October 22nd - 29th 1914

October 22nd Thursday

Paraded at 7.30am for route march and officers experiments in map reading etc. Marched as far as the Victoria Lines and then came back via the coast and over the h.lb. Back at 12.00 noon. Finished for rest of day. Done 10 miles.

October 23rd Friday

Went over the hills towards Melleha Ridge and had instruction in judging distances up to 800 yards. Aiming drill all the afternoon. Paid 7/- and had a tuck in.

October 24th Saturday

Plenty to do this morning. General Revision. Parts and care of arms, aiming drill and judging distance. Went for a walk over hills after dinner.

October 25th Sunday

Church parade at 6.45am. Went to bathe afterwards. Had some photos done on the rocks. Bought some more lace and silks for the folks at home. Then messed about for the rest of the day.

October 26th Monday

Musketry instruction all day. Learnt all there is to be taught about the kneeling positions. Stayed in all evening to write letter and send my silks home.

October 27th Tuesday

Instruction in the lying prone position. A mans legs must be stretched out so correctly behind him, and yet they tell us to make ourselves comfortable.

October 28th Wednesday

Practicing sniping and snapshooting, also we are told to use our eyes and notice anything that is uncommon.

October 29th Thursday

Instruction in trigger pressing. This appears to the casual onlooker to be the simplest thing, but if you do not take great care you will pull your shot off target.

October 15th - 21st - The Heat

October 15^th Thursday

A chap in ‘H’ Coy is knocked over.  His head is turned by the sun.  Later on he is sent to England.  Eyesight is ruined.  Came out of Hospital and put on light duty. 

October 16^th Friday

Am feeling much better now.  Resume duties tomorrow.  Busied myself with cleaning my bayonet up which is now rusty.

October 17^th Saturday

Lost my purse with 6/6 in it, also the pair of gold cuff links that Annie gave me before the war.  Wild as a devil.  It is raining cats and dogs.  Parades impossible.  Got swamped out, mud and slosh galore.

October 18^th Sunday

Church Parade at 6.30am.  As I was practically broke to the wide, it was no use for me to go out.  Stayed in Camp all day and wrote more letters.

October 19^th Monday

Started to be instructed in the new Army Musketry Course by Sergeant Instructor Stacey (Royal Marines).  First thing we learn is Standing Position. 

October 20^th Tuesday

6 hours instruction on parts of a rifle and care of arms.  This is much more interesting and preferable to drill. 

October 21^st Wednesday

Adjutants Parade at 6.30am.  Then went on the Naval Range and had instruction and visual training that is finding hidden objects representing snipers

October 5th - 14th 1914 - Don't Stare At The Sun -

October 5^th Monday

Drilling all day long.  Adjutants parade at 9.00am.  Writing letters home all evening.

October 6^th Tuesday

Physical exercise in morning and Coy training afterwards.  Drill is getting awfully monotonous.  Had another swim.

October 7^th Wednesday

Cos Parade at 9.00am.  Have got to hold our hands up and not move or else on the crime.  Am put on night guard at Casaba Ridge Outpost so missed afternoon parade.  Had to guard the coast from a narrow ledge in the side of a steep cliff.  2 hours in 12.  Plenty of dew and mosquitoes.

October 8^th Thursday

After guard we got a whole day off.  That is from the time we dismount, sunrise 6.00am.  Wrote to all the folks at home and then read books etc.

October 9^th Friday

Usual routine in morning but no parades in afternoon.  Paid 10/-. Bought some real Maltese lace and sent it to 7 Doost and others.  Cannot understand why I don’t hear from home.

October 10^th Saturday

Half day off again.  Had a swim in afternoon.  Am on St. Pauls Bay guard tonight.  Duty patrol on road round the bay.  2 hours in 12.  Nothing easier.  Kings Regulations read to us.

October 11^th Sunday

Off duty all day.  Was paid 10/- kit pay, that is for having to complete private kit.  As I was pretty flush I went down to Valletta again.  Made the most of my time and enjoyed myself.  Had a feed.  Maltese girls are pretty but they make one wild being so coy like all Southerners.

 October 13^th Tuesday

We have a heat wave, it’s 112° in the shade.  Strained my eyes in the sun.  Nearly blind.  Can’t understand it.

October 14^th Wednesday

Admitted to Camp Hospital.  Eyes bathed with lotions.  The hot sun knocks a lot of chaps over.  No encouragement to us.

October 1914

October 1914 

October 1^st Thursday

Am a bit lazy so stayed in bed nearly all morning.  Pain has gone so has swelling.  The commencement of the Maltese winter.  As the bungalow by the sea is now rigged up as a recreation room, I spend my evening there.  Mostly for book reading.

October 2^nd Friday

156 of ‘G’ Coy went six.  Major Parr said he would put us all on the crime.  But after dodging the first two parades, we had to do the others.  Paid 7/-

October 3^rd Saturday

Only two parades today as it is our half day off.  Stayed in sea all afternoon and devoted the evening to card playing. 

October 4^th Sunday

Church Parade at 6.30am. Rest of the day to ourselves.  So I and 8 others got a pass and walked to Notabile and there caught a train on the light Railway to Valletta.  Had a jolly fine time with the boys.  Explored the place as well as we could.  Looked round the bazaars and then spent the evening in the wine shops.

Sept 26th - 30th 1914 - Lord Lucan Inspection

September 26^th Saturday

Governor General and Lord Lucan visit Camp Armourers inspections of arms in afternoon.

September 27^th Sunday

Medicine and Duty today.  Church parade in Mess huts at 9.00am.  Army Chaplain conducts the Service.  Had a clean up and then went out to enjoy myself at St. Pauls Bay.  Had a glorious time.

September 28^th Monday

Started to do drills and parades again.  Sergt Major takes us for physical drill from 6.00am – 7.00am.  Adjutants parade 9.00am – 10.45am.  Company training 11.00am – 12.30pm, and lectures etc 2.30pm – 4.30pm.  Quite enough for one day.  Gave my weary limbs a cooking in the sea after tea.

September 29^th Tuesday

Brigadier General Lord Lucan inspects the camp and troops at 10.00am and says he is satisfied with our display.  After dinner they wanted to inoculate us, but we did not like the idea, we all refused at first, but after the Colonel Majors Coy Officer and Adjutant spoke to us, we gave in, but I believe old Parr gave us an extra dose.

September 30^th Wednesday

Have got 8 hours sick leave for this.  Arm is rather painful.  Amused myself writing letters

Sept 19th - 25th 1917. Boils, Mosquitoes & 1st Birthday Away from Home...

September 19^th Saturday

Doing drill all day up till 3.00pm and then on for guard.  Mounted at 5.00pm on the Coast Station, Eagle Bay.  RGA men in charge of outpost telephone station here.  Got wet through with the dew.  Many fellows were bitten by mosquitoes.

September 20^th Sunday

Have got a lovely boil on my neck.  Can’t move my head.  First I’ve had in my life.  So went sick with it and struck lucky.  Am now excused all duties.

September 21^st Monday 

Had my neck fomented, then mouched about all day.  Took RGA operators food down to them to pass time away.

September 22^nd Tuesday

Had boil cut and core squeezed out.  A bit of a relief for me.  Some Electric French submarines came into St. Pauls Bay and a party of Froggies visit the Palace and try to make themselves understood a bit.  Showed them round and drank each others health.

September 23^rd Wednesday

 My first birthday away from home.  No presents, letters, cards or anything.  Am awfully disappointed.  Relieved by ‘F’ Coy and go back to Ghain Tuffieha.  As I felt rotten I traveled in Red Cross van.

September 24^th Thursday

Went on Sick List, I don’t like Major Parr’s treatment, he’s too fidgety for me.  Nothing to do all day so wrote a few letters.

September 25^th Friday

Everyone excused parades today, why I don’t know.  We get an extra 2d per day here to pay for extra cleaning material etc.

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Dan Notes: Quite possibly on the waiting list as information came through, in one of the phases: The Battles of Ypres 1917 ("Third Ypres")...

 

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.