The end of the Second World War in Europe took place when Germany accepted unconditional surrender at Rheims on 7 May 1945. As soon as hostilities in Europe ceased, the whole of the war effort by the Allies was directed towards the defeat of Japan and the enforcement of the armistice conditions on Germany.

It was part of the British army's custom to issue booklets during wartime with the aim of giving practical help to officers in looking after the welfare of their men, and to widen the knowledge of all ranks in the meaning of "welfare". This feature presents a closer look at some aspects of welfare in the Army.

One such booklet issued by the War Office to the Army was a booklet entitled, The Soldier's Welfare on 13 July 1944. Copies of it were sent to the Headquarters of the 3rd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment of the Royal Malta Artillery.

Since the war was coming to an end, with the last air raid warning in Malta being sounded on 28 August 1944, there was the feeling that since Germany was defeated and the war was as good as over, particularly among troops, there was the need that the troops fully understood the necessity of prosecuting the war until the final defeat of Japan. Any plan for the release from or retention in the Forces was based on this over-riding factor. Also of importance was that regimental officers had to provide the greatest possible amount of healthy occupation for the minds and bodies of those outside the immediate theatre of operations.

The very knowledge of such matters was considered to have a direct bearing on the soldiers' morale and efficiency.

Main objects of a soldier's welfare

The booklet identifies two main objects of welfare work in the Army:

• To strengthen the morale of the men by making the fullest possible provision for the needs of their spirits, minds and bodies, so that they may always be fighting fit, ready to fight, and able and willing to give their best;
• To link officers and men together in a bond of mutual friendship and respect, which would not only stand the hardest tests of war but will be strengthened by them.

It is noted from the booklet that welfare was not merely a matter of canteens, concerts, sports and comforts only but an essential part of a soldier's life and had to be planned. The notes for officers contained information pertaining to religion, sex and the N.A.A.F.I.

Religion

It is a well-known fact that war places people's hearts and thoughts towards faith matters. This was particularly true with the Second World War which appeared to many as a struggle against the forces of evil. In Malta, people sought shelter in underground bunkers and prayed earnestly to God to protect them against aerial attacks. The soldiers serving in Malta in every unit had many interested in religion and religious observances, and a large number to whom religion meant something, even if vague.

The following organisations formed the Council of Voluntary War Work, which was officially recognised by the War Office. This list gives an idea of the different Christian faiths where the soldiers could express their faith and lend a helping hand: Y.MCA, Y.W.CA, Church Army, Salvation Army, Catholic Women's League, Methodist and United Board Churches, Church of Scotland, Toc H, Army Scripture Readers and Soldiers' and Airmen's Christian Association, Church of England Soldiers, Sailors' and Airmen's Institutes and the Women's Voluntary Services.

One can mention, for instance Mr Moody, a Methodist Padre serving during the siege of Malta who was in charge of the Nonconformist Chaplain's work

By and large the above organisations were present in Malta and the motive of all of them was religious. Their objective was to seek the complete personal welfare - body, mind and spirit - of the men and women in the Services.

Sex behaviour

As part of health education, sex behaviour was another important aspect. War confronts the soldier with many new and complex problems. None perhaps was considered so urgent or as difficult as those concerned with sex behaviour.

One's attitude towards this issue was influenced not only by the soldier's health, happiness, and effectiveness, but also by the well-being of his wife and family. No officer truly concerned with the welfare of his men could ignore this issue; each officer had to attempt to give his men what help he could in the difficulties that he, to a large extent, shared with them. Although the great majority of men wanted to lead decent, clean lives, drink boredom, ignorance, bad companionship, loneliness, absence from home and trouble at home were usually the main causes of sexual immorality.

To confront this issue, officers were to set a good example, both in behaviour and talk, and among other advice, to encourage men in every way possible to keep in touch with wives and families, among other matters.

The N.A.A.F.I and E.N.S.A

The N.A.A.F.I (Navy, Army Air Force Institutes) was a company created by the British Government on 9 December 1920 to run recreational establishments needed by the British Armed Forces, and to sell goods to servicemen and their families. In cooperation with the E.N.S.A (Entertainments National Service Association) both organisations were responsible for the provision of all live professional entertainment for the troops. For example, the Army Cinematographic Service was responsible for the supply and exhibition of films of all types in European theatres. The N.A.F.F.I was present in Malta until the departure of the British military base on 31 March 1979.

The N.A.A.F.I/E.N.S.A was responsible for such supply and exhibition in the following areas:

Gibraltar, Malta, Ceylon, Falkland Islands, Iceland, East Africa, West Africa, Azores, Middle East, North Africa, Persia/Iraq and Faroes.

This feature touched upon a few of the many welfare services provided for the soldiers. In fact, a note of caution was given in the booklet that owing to the great number of things that were expected from officers for the welfare of their troops, they might feel a little discouraged to provide all the welfare contained in the booklet.

But as the old saying goes, "the busiest man can always find time" and get on with the job. The reward would result in happy and efficient men and a loyalty and devotion from them out of all proportion to the services rendered.