Three images of Arthur Wait's grandfather, father and Arthur himself, in naval uniforms. The fourth image contains a smaller image of Arthur's father (same as large one mentioned above), and four medals with description underneath. Four different images have been photocopied to produce one A4 sheet of paper containing all four images.
Arthur Wait (lying on grass) play-fights with four of his fellow naval recruits at HMS Raleigh. The photo was taken during Arthur Wait's naval training.
During the interview, Salvatore Davì focused on his life experiences both in Lampedusa and in Malta. He lived in Lampedusa until 1968. That year he met his future Maltese wife and subsequently relocated to Malta in 1970. During the interview he spoke about the exchange of products between the two Islands. He also described how he adapted to life in Malta and how he managed to integrate with the Maltese. He spoke about Salvatore Gervaso and the Stella di Mare company, two names which are important for the theme 'The Malta-Lampedusa Connection.' His memories about the British, Valletta, Marsaxlokk and the Dom Mintoff administration were positive. However, contraband was a problem.
This manuscript was written by Arthur Wait and proofread and edited by Sandra Blake of the National Archives of Malta. The author dedicated this book to "all Maltese boy seamen who served in the Royal Navy aged fifteen years, and who joined HMS Ganges; some of whom are no longer with us. I salute you all".
This document shows a list of the navigation trips that Ettore Raffi did between 1955 and 1977.
The logbook was granted on the 2nd of April 1976. It contains all of Ettore Raffi's professional titles and qualifications, visas granted by different border police offices and foreign consulates, and all the embarkation and disembarkation movements.
Image includes a photo of members of the navy and military at sea
In the last part of the interview Ettore Raffi described two pleasant experiences which happened during his life at sea.
In the interview Ettore Raffi shared memories regarding trade between Lampedusan fishermen, sailors and the Maltese. The Lampedusans used to consider Malta as a rich island because of the availability of tobacco, sugar, chocolate and bars of soap. He recalled relations between Maltese, Italian and British sailors, as well as the nightlife in Valletta, particularly related to Strait Street, and Maltese women. Ettore Raffi gave us his opinion about Maltese culture, the period between 1964-1979, the Dom Mintoff government and the changes after Independence.
In this part of the interview Ettore Raffi spoke about his travels as a sailor in different parts of the world: Tunisia, Panama, Mississippi and the Mediterranean.
In the interview, Ettore Raffi spoke about his experiences of life at sea and his voyages to Tunisia, Panama, Mississippi and the Mediterranean. He travelled to Malta three times during different periods. He shared memories regarding trade between Lampedusan fishermen and sailors and the Maltese. The Lampedusans used to consider Malta as a rich island because of the availability of tobacco, sugar, chocolate and bars of soap. He recalled relations between Maltese, Italian and British sailors, as well as the nightlife in Valletta, particularly related to Strait Street, and Maltese women. Ettore Raffi gave us his opinion about Maltese culture, the period between 1964-1979, the Dom Mintoff government and the changes after Independence.
Arthur Wait (second from left), two men and a woman in a bar in Campbeltown, Scotland.