Further to my letter ‘Boarders during the war’ (The Sunday Times of Malta, August 30), I wish to quote from a letter sent from St Aloysius’ College, Birkirkara, to our parents in Marsalforn, where our family found refuge from 1941 to 1943.
The poignant contents will help to show more clearly some of the hardships we boarders had to undergo at that very difficult time.
We were due to return to college after the Easter break, when the Royal Lady passenger boat was bombed and sank in Mġarr Harbour on May 6, 1942. Gozitan luzzu fishing boats took over the transport, by night-time, of goods and passengers. It was still a very risky undertaking.
“May 13, 1942
“Dear mother,
“Last Friday we arrived at Birkirkara at about midnight. We left Rabat (Gozo) at about 9pm and arrived at Mġarr at 9.30pm. As we were in the last bus, when we arrived the boats were already full, but I began pushing and we managed to get in. We had to pay 5/- (five shillings) between us three. After much shouting and quarrelling we left at about ten minutes to ten. We took nearly three quarters of an hour to arrive at Marfa, because on the way we had to stop at Comino to unload some hens.
“As soon as we arrived at Marfa an air raid sounded, but the buses were waiting for us and we started immediately for Birkirkara. Our bread ration is not as bad as I thought it was going to be. We have two slices for breakfast, two at dinner, two at tea, and another two at supper but they are very slim. The toilet paper is rationed, we are allowed 42 pieces each per week.
“Next Monday you may send the courier for the dirty clothes, but send them back as soon as they are washed, because we have only one change left.
“In the bag I want you to send me my sandals, and some tins of condensed milk, sweetened if possible.
“I want you also to send me a jar of ‘girdinira’ from those of the ‘Ciac’ (a small grocery) and also some cheese.
“If you want to phone me you may phone me on any day between quarter to two and ten minutes past seven in the afternoon. I am reading the Times of Malta every day, so you need not send it to me.
“From the 12/6 which father gave me I spent 10/6 and with this letter I am enclosing 2/- which was left. I spent the following:- Bus, Rabat to Mġarr 1/-; Boat 5/-; Bus, Mtarfa to Birkirkara 4/6. Total 10/6. Give my love to my brothers, grandma and the aunts.
“Your affectionate son, George.”