Most of my 27 years, as a general practitioner and GP Trainer in the British Army, were spent seeing soldiers and their families, in military medical centres in Germany, the UK, Hong Kong, Cyprus, Belgium, Italy and the United States.

There was one annoying factor, which one soon became used to. One had to endure the virtually continuous sound of gunfire. It was due to the fact that there were always the soldiers’ shooting ranges in the vicinity. Since my retirement and return to my birthplace, Malta, things have not changed very much for me. Here in Zebbug, during the hunting season, we are constantly disturbed by the sound of hunters shooting those poor birds from early to late morning. Often, I imagine I am back in my former army barracks! So much for my aim of a peaceful retirement in my birthplace! Sadly, I have to finally admit that coming back home, eight years ago, was probably, not such a good decision after all.

Chev Colonel Dr Raymond Bencini

MD, DCH, MRCGP, L/RAMC. KOCC

Zebbug