Dates covered: 1940-1980. Arthur Wait was born in 1940. He came from a long standing naval family. He described life as a child in Birzebbuga and the hardships endured by the Maltese in the post-Second World War years. He recounted how he joined the navy and his life as a Maltese man in the British navy. He also mentioned the closing of the military base in Malta and how it affected those people who worked with the British Forces.
Arthur Wait recounted his life as a child in Birzebbuga and the hardships endured by the Maltese during the post-Second World War years. He described how he joined the navy and what life was like in the navy. He retired in Malta in 2007.
Arthur Wait described what he did when he was on leave and the relations between the British and the Maltese who worked with the navy. He mentioned the political situation in Malta in the 1960s and 1970s and the way this crisis affected those who worked for the British Forces. He returned to Malta in 2007.
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.
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.
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".
Salvatore Davì continued to describe how he adapted to life in Malta and how he managed to integrate with the Maltese. His memories about the British, Valletta, Marsaxlokk and the Dom Mintoff administration were positive. However, contraband was a problem.