Written on a HSBC Jesselton Airmail letter.
Dear Mum Dad and Alan,
The last day of the month and a Saturday afternoon in the office - still it is very pleasant in comparison with many other places I have been in . The sun is setting now and the light is streaming in over my shoulder as I write with a soft cool breeze making the day a comfortable one. It can be hot and sticky here, but not for many days at a time and though my work is of a very routine nature I cannot complain of overwork. We are just a little busy at the end of quarters and on occasion when bills pile up and have to be processed in a short space of time. This is offset by not having air conditioning and not having a staff which is overbright so that one works at a much slower pace than is usual - but they are a cheery lot and very friendly - a much more enjoyable office than Calcutta. your calender arrived for which, many thanks and also your letter - I have left this at home so cannot remember if you had any queries. Hin E Calling (???) the Governor has invited us to meet the Duke of Edinburgh on March 1st at a Reception at 9.30 pm. About 500 people are going so suppose it to cover all the Europeans in Jesselton. Margo is doubtful about attending as it will involve a lot of standing about and it would be unfortunate to say the least if she felt ill in such a crush and not be able to get away. I expect I shall go if nothing prevents me. Everything is being decorated and there is great excitement. We shall see displays of native life which we would not do otherwise and various things will be sold in a special market, so perhasp we may make some interesting purchases. Caroline is well but A. is having teething pain at times though now rockets across the floor and climbs onto chairs at great speed. She is very broad across the back and is a hefty lump to carry - hope she walks soon.
Cheerio for now and Love from as all Peter.
Friday, August 21, 2009
January 14th 1958
Hongkong & Shanghai Bank
P.O. B 98
British North Borneo
(Editor's note. The date on this letter should be 1959)
My dear Mum & Dad,
Peter has been going to answer your letter all week but so far I haven't seen him start doing so! - so I've decided to write myself & send you a few photos which Peter has also been going to send for ages. He has been very busy over the end of the year & is now doing returns which keep him rather occupied. Adrienne sleeps in the study (so-called) as I found that she & Caroline are better apart. While they shared the same room, Caroline would wake about 4.30 am & then woke Adrienne who wasn't very happy about it. Now Caroline goes back to sleep until about 6 am which is a rather more respectable hour. They will have to go back together eventually but Adrienne will be older and I hope (?) will go back to sleep if woken.
Adrienne is progressing and has just pulled herself up by my chair - she doesn't stand for very long but at least it's a start. She is cutting another tooth & is very snuffly - rather like an asthmatical old man! Caroline has vanished at the moment & I rather suspect that I shall find her in the kitchen where the servants are having their meal. They seem to eat about 10.30 am & 6.30 pm and to do so they sit on little stools around a minute round table. I think that Caroline enjoys sitting on the stool altho' she likes the rice etc as well. I've no doubt that she will master the art of chop sticks very quickly! As for Adrienne I'm sure that she will be speaking Chinese before English as the Baby Amah chats to her all day in her version of Chinese/Malay which she speaks.
We have an excellent hospital here with a European Matron & two sisters and three European doctors. I believe the hospital has been recently built & has about 14 ist class rooms which have their own bathroom & toilet attached as well as being air-conditioned. Rather a change from the Elgin Nursing Home where about 60 or more people shared 4 bathrooms. I feel very fit but shall be glad when March 16th comes along. I have to go to the hospital clinic every fortnight now - apart from myself there are only two other European women attending. Also a change from Clta - I heard from Biddy Sawtell yesterday that 40 European babies were born in the Elgin during Dec & 40 are due in January! Biddy was the friend who lost her second baby - she has just had another boy without any bother.
We thoroughly enjoyed Xmas although we should have liked to have been with you all at home. Both children had loads of toys so it was rather an exciting morning opening all the parcels. We had very nice gifts from Hilda & Henry - I still haven't written to thank them but I seem to have written dozens of letters this month - Peter will be complaining about the postage bill!
We have been plagued by these wretched Kampong dogs who persisted in rushing around the house all night. panting & then howling & barking under the bedroom windows. It was impossible to aim anything at them because of the screens & Peter & I began to think that we should have to put down poison for them, after having had several sleepless nights. However I sent Ho Choy to speak to the Kampong inhabitants about them & to ask them to chain the dogs up at night & luckily they seem to have done so far out nights are now undisturbed - we are used to the occasional barking & cock crowing.
The car arrived on Saturday & hasn't a scratch on it although a peculiar 'knocking' has appeared! I shall have to pass my test otherwise I shall be isolated up here. Has Alan sat for his test yet? I expect he will pass first time. Barbara is hoping for a girl, so hope she is lucky - when in June is Emma expecting her baby - do you know? Peter & I are still undecided over a girls name and just cannot agree over any! The photos enclosed are 1) a group taken at the Managers staff tea party just before Xmas. Caroline is sitting on the Manager's wife's knee. We left Adrienne at home as the afternoon was rather showery. The three bachelors here disgraced themselves by arriving after the photo had been taken!
2) Caroline in her fancy dress - looking rather dishevelled and not quite sure what was going on. I've put in a few snaps (these are the throw-outs!) as well - our last batch weren't very successful but we are having copies taken which we will be sending. (of the better ones.)
Must close now so that Peter can send this letter this afternoon - I shall probably find that he has written to you this morning 1 - but at least I'm sending the photos!
We hear that you are having a freeze-up - hope it isnt too bad & that you are all well.
Love from us all & big kisses from
Caroline & Adrienne, Margo & Peter.
P.O. B 98
British North Borneo
(Editor's note. The date on this letter should be 1959)
My dear Mum & Dad,
Peter has been going to answer your letter all week but so far I haven't seen him start doing so! - so I've decided to write myself & send you a few photos which Peter has also been going to send for ages. He has been very busy over the end of the year & is now doing returns which keep him rather occupied. Adrienne sleeps in the study (so-called) as I found that she & Caroline are better apart. While they shared the same room, Caroline would wake about 4.30 am & then woke Adrienne who wasn't very happy about it. Now Caroline goes back to sleep until about 6 am which is a rather more respectable hour. They will have to go back together eventually but Adrienne will be older and I hope (?) will go back to sleep if woken.
Adrienne is progressing and has just pulled herself up by my chair - she doesn't stand for very long but at least it's a start. She is cutting another tooth & is very snuffly - rather like an asthmatical old man! Caroline has vanished at the moment & I rather suspect that I shall find her in the kitchen where the servants are having their meal. They seem to eat about 10.30 am & 6.30 pm and to do so they sit on little stools around a minute round table. I think that Caroline enjoys sitting on the stool altho' she likes the rice etc as well. I've no doubt that she will master the art of chop sticks very quickly! As for Adrienne I'm sure that she will be speaking Chinese before English as the Baby Amah chats to her all day in her version of Chinese/Malay which she speaks.
We have an excellent hospital here with a European Matron & two sisters and three European doctors. I believe the hospital has been recently built & has about 14 ist class rooms which have their own bathroom & toilet attached as well as being air-conditioned. Rather a change from the Elgin Nursing Home where about 60 or more people shared 4 bathrooms. I feel very fit but shall be glad when March 16th comes along. I have to go to the hospital clinic every fortnight now - apart from myself there are only two other European women attending. Also a change from Clta - I heard from Biddy Sawtell yesterday that 40 European babies were born in the Elgin during Dec & 40 are due in January! Biddy was the friend who lost her second baby - she has just had another boy without any bother.
We thoroughly enjoyed Xmas although we should have liked to have been with you all at home. Both children had loads of toys so it was rather an exciting morning opening all the parcels. We had very nice gifts from Hilda & Henry - I still haven't written to thank them but I seem to have written dozens of letters this month - Peter will be complaining about the postage bill!
We have been plagued by these wretched Kampong dogs who persisted in rushing around the house all night. panting & then howling & barking under the bedroom windows. It was impossible to aim anything at them because of the screens & Peter & I began to think that we should have to put down poison for them, after having had several sleepless nights. However I sent Ho Choy to speak to the Kampong inhabitants about them & to ask them to chain the dogs up at night & luckily they seem to have done so far out nights are now undisturbed - we are used to the occasional barking & cock crowing.
The car arrived on Saturday & hasn't a scratch on it although a peculiar 'knocking' has appeared! I shall have to pass my test otherwise I shall be isolated up here. Has Alan sat for his test yet? I expect he will pass first time. Barbara is hoping for a girl, so hope she is lucky - when in June is Emma expecting her baby - do you know? Peter & I are still undecided over a girls name and just cannot agree over any! The photos enclosed are 1) a group taken at the Managers staff tea party just before Xmas. Caroline is sitting on the Manager's wife's knee. We left Adrienne at home as the afternoon was rather showery. The three bachelors here disgraced themselves by arriving after the photo had been taken!
2) Caroline in her fancy dress - looking rather dishevelled and not quite sure what was going on. I've put in a few snaps (these are the throw-outs!) as well - our last batch weren't very successful but we are having copies taken which we will be sending. (of the better ones.)
Must close now so that Peter can send this letter this afternoon - I shall probably find that he has written to you this morning 1 - but at least I'm sending the photos!
We hear that you are having a freeze-up - hope it isnt too bad & that you are all well.
Love from us all & big kisses from
Caroline & Adrienne, Margo & Peter.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Sat 6th December 1958
Written on Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Jesselton airmail letter
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter - have been here a week now and with the baggage safely arrived and being unpacked the house is taking on a familiar look. Not many breakages, a cup, a bowl and a pyrex dish - I suppose that something must be expected. We were intending to see S. Pacific but did not manage to do so - glad you enjoyed it. As for the Chinese Chow, well those long menus are a bit tricky and we seldom look at them, except for the headings. I imagine you would be content with 41/2 portions plus a soup plus a bowl of "MIXED FRIED RICE". We always have the rice as a base and it includes veg & chopped meat & prawns. You then have a choice of FISH LOBSTER CRAB FRIED PRAWNS - you can ask for a dish of anyone of these to include vegetables which should include bamboo shoots - bean sprouts - ginger. They will then suggest something which covers this.
CHICKEN PORK & OTHER MEAT (ask for Sweet and Sour Pork) - You can have three items from here so that your choice of vegetables will turn up somewhere.
The egg "omelette" is your fourth dish and you ask for a "FOO YONG". They will have several varieties - my favourite being Crab Foo Yong. Afterwards Lichees and Chinese Tea.
The house is even better than the pictures:overlooking hills and greenery and a part of the bay in one direction. Temperature is much less than in Ctta with a breeze blowing most of the time. The Governor's House is going up on the hill next to us and so far only the road is cut and they are carving the top off before starting to build. It is quite an effort to carry out a building project here as facilities are limited and the rains wash the drives away. Margo and the children have been on the sands with the manager's wife - Betty Haymes and Caroline enjoyed the swim. She also lit up when her bicycle was unpacked. I have not seen much of the place as yet. The office is keepin me busy and although procedure will quicken up in time there is enough routine to keep ones head down on the slackest days. Everyone appears to be very cheery including the local staff, who number 36 against Calcutta's hoards. Before I forget can you once again buy presents for Elaine - Fiona & Mary and let me know the cost? Christmas is nearly on us and it is difficult even to think about it at the moment. Without a car one is stuck on the hill and the few shops there are only supply necessities. Cheerio for now - must get on with the unpacking - all our love Margo Peter Caroline and Adrienne (this one is going to be a minx!)
(There is a drawing of the house plan in this letter which I am unable to reproduce here)
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter - have been here a week now and with the baggage safely arrived and being unpacked the house is taking on a familiar look. Not many breakages, a cup, a bowl and a pyrex dish - I suppose that something must be expected. We were intending to see S. Pacific but did not manage to do so - glad you enjoyed it. As for the Chinese Chow, well those long menus are a bit tricky and we seldom look at them, except for the headings. I imagine you would be content with 41/2 portions plus a soup plus a bowl of "MIXED FRIED RICE". We always have the rice as a base and it includes veg & chopped meat & prawns. You then have a choice of FISH LOBSTER CRAB FRIED PRAWNS - you can ask for a dish of anyone of these to include vegetables which should include bamboo shoots - bean sprouts - ginger. They will then suggest something which covers this.
CHICKEN PORK & OTHER MEAT (ask for Sweet and Sour Pork) - You can have three items from here so that your choice of vegetables will turn up somewhere.
The egg "omelette" is your fourth dish and you ask for a "FOO YONG". They will have several varieties - my favourite being Crab Foo Yong. Afterwards Lichees and Chinese Tea.
The house is even better than the pictures:overlooking hills and greenery and a part of the bay in one direction. Temperature is much less than in Ctta with a breeze blowing most of the time. The Governor's House is going up on the hill next to us and so far only the road is cut and they are carving the top off before starting to build. It is quite an effort to carry out a building project here as facilities are limited and the rains wash the drives away. Margo and the children have been on the sands with the manager's wife - Betty Haymes and Caroline enjoyed the swim. She also lit up when her bicycle was unpacked. I have not seen much of the place as yet. The office is keepin me busy and although procedure will quicken up in time there is enough routine to keep ones head down on the slackest days. Everyone appears to be very cheery including the local staff, who number 36 against Calcutta's hoards. Before I forget can you once again buy presents for Elaine - Fiona & Mary and let me know the cost? Christmas is nearly on us and it is difficult even to think about it at the moment. Without a car one is stuck on the hill and the few shops there are only supply necessities. Cheerio for now - must get on with the unpacking - all our love Margo Peter Caroline and Adrienne (this one is going to be a minx!)
(There is a drawing of the house plan in this letter which I am unable to reproduce here)
29.11.58
The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank
Jesselton. B. North Borneo
Dear Mum Dad and Alan,
Arrived safe and sound and in one piece yesterday afternoon and have a completed a days work to-day. My only letter from prior to Colombo seems a long way away. We had lunch there with some bank people leaving Adrienne on board but taking Caroline with us. It was a chance to stretch our legs and have a chat. Caroline played with a young girl there and thoroughly enjoyed herself. Three days access to Penang and the bulk of the packing? was completed then because it was pouring with rain and we were only there for a couple of hours. I went ashore by myself and said hello to all the clerks in the office. Also saw my old pal Doc Ballantyne for a short while. Singapore came up the next day and we were glad to leave the ship, although it had been very good to us. We were met and our baggage was taken care of by Philip Young and his wife, with whom we stayed for 3 days. They looked after us very well indeed and got us up at 5 am to catch the plane on Friday (yesterday). This proved to be a long trip calling at Kutching Sibu Laburn then Jesselton and we touched down finally at 3 pm. Must say the children took it very well although it was a little cramped, hot and at times bumpy - Margo lost half a cup of coffee at one point.
The house is a bungalow and to us is palatial, lots of polished flooring - view over the water to the mountain in the the background. The garden is not flat but terraced into the woody undergrowth and though not closely inspected yet appears to be maintained in apple pie order. Have had a full day's work it being the last day of the month so will finish this letter hurriedly written in case the next few days are too full to get it off. Will endeavour a description of Jesselton later when I have seen it myself.
Cheerio from us all and much love,
Peter
Jesselton. B. North Borneo
Dear Mum Dad and Alan,
Arrived safe and sound and in one piece yesterday afternoon and have a completed a days work to-day. My only letter from prior to Colombo seems a long way away. We had lunch there with some bank people leaving Adrienne on board but taking Caroline with us. It was a chance to stretch our legs and have a chat. Caroline played with a young girl there and thoroughly enjoyed herself. Three days access to Penang and the bulk of the packing? was completed then because it was pouring with rain and we were only there for a couple of hours. I went ashore by myself and said hello to all the clerks in the office. Also saw my old pal Doc Ballantyne for a short while. Singapore came up the next day and we were glad to leave the ship, although it had been very good to us. We were met and our baggage was taken care of by Philip Young and his wife, with whom we stayed for 3 days. They looked after us very well indeed and got us up at 5 am to catch the plane on Friday (yesterday). This proved to be a long trip calling at Kutching Sibu Laburn then Jesselton and we touched down finally at 3 pm. Must say the children took it very well although it was a little cramped, hot and at times bumpy - Margo lost half a cup of coffee at one point.
The house is a bungalow and to us is palatial, lots of polished flooring - view over the water to the mountain in the the background. The garden is not flat but terraced into the woody undergrowth and though not closely inspected yet appears to be maintained in apple pie order. Have had a full day's work it being the last day of the month so will finish this letter hurriedly written in case the next few days are too full to get it off. Will endeavour a description of Jesselton later when I have seen it myself.
Cheerio from us all and much love,
Peter
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