10 Oct 1961

Written on HSBC Labuan British North Borneo headed paper Dear Mum, Dad and Alan, Thank you very much for your letters especially the one from Alan which made us very envious of his trip through such interesting country. It is something we are storing up to do in the future. Elisabeth has received her rocking chair and loves it am sure it helped her a lot. Margo says that she does not take a chair to the beach at all now as E sits on the sand quite happily and at other times in an adult chair. E has improved so much that the physiotherapist says she cannot do anymore than Margo is doing herself. She said the muscle in the leg which is not working yet is very strong and will come back, but is doubtful about the crooked foot. She & the doctor recommend that E return to UK earlyier than Nov next year for more advanced exercised and I have asked for leave in June. We shall see what happens - I will not know for a month or so. As you can see I am still in Labuan. Charles Campbell had to have a week more in bed with a further week rest so I will not return till next weekend and will have done a month. This has covered the quarterly results and balance plus the returns, so has given me a bit more experience. Incidently it is the 13th office of the bank that I have actually worked in. London - Hongkong - Penang - Sungei Patani - Teluk Anson - Cameron Highlands - Orchard Rd - Singapore - Calcutta - Jesselton - Brunei town - Beaufort - Labuan! Margo spent 3 days here over the weekend, flown down at bank's expense and I was pleased she could get away for even such a small break. The Campbells' have 3 children so there was a great deal of conversation and comparison between the mothers. We went out to a party on Sat. and played bridge on Fri & Sun. So were very busy & Margo met most of Labuan residents in a short time. The Borneo Airways have their HQ here and the pilots form the basis of the community and are very interesting to know. I am hoping to sit up front on the return journey providing no VIPs are travelling. Cheerio for now and love from as all. Peter.

21st Sept 1961

Written on HSBC British North Borneo headed paper. Dear Mum Dad and Alan, Am sitting in a very comfortable air-conditioned office in a delightful little island just south of Jesselton. On Tuesday we had a phone call at 10.45 to say Campbell Lue had to go to bed with a bad cough etc and I was on the 12.40 plane and had taken over the office by two o clock. He is improving now but looked very ill when I arrived. The house is nicely situated overlooking the sea. The Campbells' have the children a year ahead of ours all very fit and bonny. Mrs Campbell teaches them together with eight others each day as there is not a school available and the boy who is six can read and do simple multiplication, so they are not suffering in anyway. The town is very small but as Labuan is a free port quite a few ships come in and a varity of commodities are dealt in . Copra being of importance as it is smuggled out of the Phillipines and transhipped here free of duty. It seems to be a healthy place with swimming and sailing available. Other entertainment is in 'ones' own home and I already have a date for bridge tonight to which I am looking forward. Expect to return to Jesselton next week so dont reply here. Best wishes Peter.