12th Oct 1974

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation

P O Box 896

Collyer Quay branch

Singapore

Dear Mum and Dad,

We have been out every night since a long time ago.  People have been very kind, so much so that it will be relief to get away.  Our own party at the Hyatt was a huge success with reports still coming in saying how much is was enjoyed.  People stayed on & on.  Last night was the BIG one.  15 tables of 8 or 9 at the top of an hotel overlooking the harbour & Chinese food.  Union & Sports Club as hosts.  President & Gen Sec of main union present.  Terrific speech in praise of self!  Then my own.  As usual a tense moment but I am told it was very good- thank goodness.  Suddenly, after many months of trial and sometimes despondency one feels on top of the world and I will remember the event as being one of the highest of high spots.  We were given a tray & tea & coffee things with a nice engraving & a small pocket radio.

Tickets in hand and a few days to go.  Heard that Labour is in and we have to face many changes but will manage to cope.

See you soon love

Peter xx

This is the last letter from the Far East.  The next is just dated Sunday and seems to have been written in UK.

Dear Mum,

Glad you got though on the phone.  The first part was clear then it went a bit odd.  Usually the operator allows extra time for this but they have to be listening in otherwise I am not sure how contact them without breaking the connection.  I think I go most of it though and understand Dad has had the op & is looking alright but nothing was found.  Very strange if the two X rays showed something.  It is a long shot but could there be anything in connection with the hernia he was complaining of?  Unlikely I suppose.  Hope my going away next weekend does not bother you.  Will be back Monday night anyway.  Feel a bit useless being unable to do anything but guess that is the way it is.  Hope they think of something at the hospital to solve the problem.

All my love and Best Wishes to 

Dad

Peter xxx

My father took early retirement from the bank and took a part time job with a fur company.  He and mum were given a world trip by the bank and another trip when he retired from  the fur company.  They both were invited to Hongkong for the opening of the new bank there.  They moved from Tunbridge Wells where they had moved from Folkestone, to Bickenhall in Somerset.  My dad loved the house in Bickenhall saying it was the best place he had lived.  He only had a year of retirement when he died of lung cancer in 1987 at the age of 60.  My mother lived to the age of 91, moving into Taunton to live.