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Max, I love this - particularly the way so much is said in so few words. One small query - I always understood Navvy to be a building worker on roads, railways etc. - yet Harry seems to be referring to the British Navy and a Navy base in Malta. Just go a bit confused there... Regards, MG ----- Original Message ----- From: "Max Richards" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 12:40 AM Subject: snap: Harry tells me > Harry tells me > > in an accent > we had thought Italian > > he was born in '39 > in Malta - last of nine - > > every two years Mother gave birth. > Father, from Scotland a 'navvy > > in the British Navvy' - > after hernia surgery > > some cotton left in his gut > poisoned him - he died. > > 'Big Navvy base in Malta > when the bombers came over > > we ran to the shelter > my brothers and sisters carry me. > > We were poor - Navvy fed us - > widow, you know, nine children > > not much schooling > straight to work. > > Malta no opportunities > sisters to the States > > brothers in Malta > old now, some dead. > > Australia! so good to me > I brought my bride > > hard jobs cleaning > night hours - boss liked me > > sacked others, kept me on. > Then the car factory, hard > > work almost forty years - > they like me, like my son > > he started straight from school > helped our boss write his letters > > they sent him to Toyota Japan > my son still with Toyota > > almost fifty - manager - > good country Australia. > > Many Maltese went to Queensland > cutting cane, hard work, but > > the opportunities! > Farming, property, > > they are millionaires, some. > Malta? only back once. > > I miss my brothers' funerals. > I will go soon.' > > > Max Richards > > >