BIRZEBBUGA PRETTY BAY - by Bill of Pretty Bay: October 2008

VIVA SAN PIETRU

BIRZEBBUGA PEOPLE

This photo was taken by reporter of The Times of Malta on Monday 10th Sept. 1951. The day I left Birzebbuga for Melbourne Australia on the English liner SS Asturias.

Five men from Birzebbuga migrated to Australia on that day.

1. Myself. William J. Coxhead. - Melbourne

2. My brother Johnny Coxhead who played football with St Peters of Birzebbuga 1953, 3rd Div Champions. Migrated to Aust 1954.

3. My father. William N. Coxhead. He was in charge of the Power Station at R.N. base Kalafrana (Passed away 1953. RIP)

4. Joseph / Zeppi Cutajar of Birzebbuga, nickname ' ta - Fidiel '. Migrated to Melbourne but returned to Malta a few years later. (RIP)

5. Frankie Borg Falzon of Birzebbuga. Also played football with St Peters of Birzebbuga 1953, 3rd Div Champions. (RIP)

6. Tony Camilleri of St Georges Bay / Birzebbuga. Migrated to Melbourne. Lived and passed away in NSW Australia.(RIP)

7. Tony Camilleri's friend from Birzebbuga.

8. Mikiel Farrugia of Birzebbuga. Migrated to Melbourne. Passed away in Melbourne (RIP)

9. A Maltese migrant to Australia. No name

10 Lolly Savona. Migrated to Melbourne. Lolly's parents operated the Belle Isle Theatre at Birzebbuga during the 1940 - 1950s. Lolly lives in Melbourne.

11. Baby Joseph Calleja. My nephew. Son of Ninu Calleja (of Zurrieq Road) and Emily Calleja nee Coxhead. Joseph and his parents migrated to Melbourne March 1958 on the ill fated MS Skaubryn. The ship caught fire and sank in the Indian Ocean, April 1958. Joseph lives in Melbourne.

12. Anthony / Toni Gauci of Birzebbuga. His family nickname 'ta - Beccuna' He was a Sgt in the Army. (Passed away. RIP)

13. Eddie who owned and drove the Birzebbuga Bus No 1212. The bus was named VICTOR and he was known as 'Eddie tal Victor' (RIP)

14. This person was from Birzebbuga. He was called ' it - Tunezin '

15. A Maltese migrant who sailed on the SS Asturias.

16. A friend of Lolly Savona. Both of Birzebbuga.

17. A Maltese migrant who sailed on the SS Asturias.

The other persons are relatives and friends of the persons who were leaving Malta.

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Friday, October 10, 2008

Wartime Pictures of Birzebbuga - 1943

These photos of Birzebbuga were taken during early 1943 by the late Flt. Sgt Thomas Barker B.E.M. RAF who was stationed at Hal Far and Birzebbuga. Thomas Barker was born 1915 and died 2002. These photos were sent to me by his son Lawrence M. Barker of UK. Mr Barker has a very comprehensive story about his life in England and during his wartime years in Malta. The Website is at :
http://www.my-malta.com/interesting/barker/thomasbarker01.html

A very interesting story and many pictures.
In the photos one see some warships in Marsaxlokk Bay. In the background is Kalafrana R.A.F. and R.N. Base. In the 2nd and 4th photo one can see part of the side of the Breconshire the ship that was part of a convoy which reached Malta in 1942. The Breconshire was hit by bombs before it reached Malta but was able to limp into Marsaxlokk Bay. On the 2nd day after she arrived the German bombers attacked again and the ship while on fire went down in the Bay not far from the shores of Delimara.

View MY-MALTA.COM * HERE *

Thanks to Lawrence M. Barker for the Photos.