Malta
The expectations expressed in my last & somewhat hurried epistle were fully realized. After sealing up my letter we proceeded straight into harbour & came to anchor at about 5.30pm. For the next two hours we had to wait while various formalities were carried out, the Doctor had to come on board, & the Captain to go on shore. During this time we were kept amused by half a dozen small boats full of boys who dived for coins. Any silver coin thrown in would be retrieved in the most wonderful manner. They wait in their boat until the coin touches the water & then dive over & bring it up, either in their hands or mouths; one fellow came up with a six penny piece between his toes.
At about 6.30 the various formalities were complete & we were allowed on shore till 11pm. A large crowd of us immediately swarmed into one of the numerous boats hanging round for the purpose & were rowed to the shore. Everyone very jubilant, & personally, rather surprised that we did not capsize owing to the high spirits of a boyish major who seemed very elated at the idea of terra firma once more.
On reaching there we split up & I went off with the Indian Cavalry Sub who knows the place. We had a very good dinner at the Cecil Hotel & then wandered round to a Café Chantant. This was filled entirely by the Army, the Navy & the Merchant Service, officers all, noisy all & very boisterous all. If the music was not sufficiently exciting there was always some officer musician who was ready to play choruses. This place we left at 10.15 & made our way back to the ship, expecting to move out early this morning. At this point the ships cat has just leapt lightly but firmly into the centre of this page, & you must blame her for any dirty marks that you may be able to find there. She is a great friend of mine, & spends quite a lot of the day on my knee. There is one curious thing that is noticeable about this place, & what is that there seems to be an enormous quantity of shipping on the move. Boats going out & coming in all day long, many of them with troops, whereas on the high seas one scarcely ever sees another vessel. The boat that was chased by the submarine is now lying alongside us, she came in this morning. Besides this there are a dozen or so hospital ships knocking about & of course a good number of warships of all sorts & kinds.
This morning we have not sailed as we expected but are going on shore again, this time until 12.30 this afternoon. I shall go & see that there is to see & just have a look round the place. As far as I know there is no one here that I can call on, no regiment in which I know any of the officers. I hear that they are starting a battalion of which all the officers are to be old boys, by the latter I mean O.M.T.s. It is of course a very good idea, but at the same time I can’t help thinking it is nice sometimes to see a few new people & get to know someone besides the people one was at school with. I personally prefer things as they are. Our present existence ought to be healthy if anything ever was: salt water baths in the morning & in the open air the whole time, lots of sun & a little wind; plenty to eat & nothing over-tiring to do; what can one do but improve in health & everything else. Well in a minute of two we must go on shore, my friend is waiting so I will close.
Captain JD Hills 