18th Sunday

 (This is out of order and not sure of the correct date but it came after the one dated 19.12.70)

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation

Johore Bahru

West Malaysia

Dear Mum and Dad,

I enjoyed the views of St Ives, so peaceful.  Hope the whole holiday was a success - I have read that the weather has continue fine.  It has been a good year - too muchg to hope that 1971 will be the same.  Margo said she would ring you on your return, so guess you will be up to date - not that there is anything really new.  Much is as might be expected and we look forward to Mrs Aylett's complete recovery.  If this should be so, an end to a long perios of discomfort and pain, then it will be something to relieve Margo of concern.  The girls continue to do well.  Susan had four "A"s at beginning of term and Margo said she is even taller than when she was here.  Susan is the odd one - quite scatty but school work comes without effort.  Caroline works for what she gets and deserves it - quite grown up too so she does feel she does not look her age - unfortunately, she has inherited my high tension for which I am the last person to offer advice.  The best thing is to treat her as a grown up, to which she responds very well, as she is very sensible.  Looking back at the old photos, as we did a short time ago brings the passage of time home iwth a jolt.  Japan and Hong Kong - they seemed so young and small and now racing towards school leaving, whilst we feel as if are standing still.  In these days of theories of management where one endeavours to control or influence events a course on planning ahead for a family would be useful!  Perhaps I can use my course - have just finished the text book "The Rational Manager"

Love Peter.

19.12.70

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation

Johore Bahru

West Malaysia

Dear Mum and Dad,

The girls arrived last night, all fit and well a bit late, but at least they got away from London where the strike business is a problem.  Elisabeth has lost a lot of weight after the ? and is much improved.  They all seem taller and if it is possible talk faster than ever.  Have no worry about their school work.  They are all better than I was and Caroline's maths are over 70 in all three subjects.  Elisabeth is in the magazine again and if it is really all her own work she may have a real gift.  One can see vividly what the words describe.  Susan as usual had a steady 3rd place.  I have not seen A's yet but she produces a good average.  Have had a bit of a rest after last week.  The Sultan came to my party after all and so did the Raja Muda.  The rain kept away and it was all most successful.  The factory opening the next day was attended by the Japanese and Indonesian Ambassadors, The chief minister of Sabah and the Japanese ? of the two trading companies from Tokyo.  In the evening we went to a dinner with the same people - all the men wore a Japanese style jacket which we were given (A Happy Coat) and with a number of Japanese women in Kimonos & Malays in Sarongs the event was full of colour.

Love Peter

23rd Sept 1970

 The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation

Johore Bahru

West Malaysia

Dear Mum and Dad,

Thank you for letting us know so soon that the girls had arrived.  They were late leaving having got on and off the plane once and we were glad when they finally left at 12pm.  I heard the plane was searched at each stop so they were bound to be late arriving and I am glad you phoned in for the time.  Margo will be flying home to arrive on 7th Oct as her father is now very ill and her mother will have had the second operation which has been delayed so long.  Margo feels she ought to be there to help and it will be better to be there than to worry from here.  

Have been very busy this month and today the first one I have slackened off.  Lots of new business lining up.  Bill Mosley is paying a flying visit on Friday in his capacity as Staff Controller and I am wondering if he has news of my leave next year.  Am going on one of those American type courses in Singapore next November.  "Problem Analysis and Decision making"  One lives in and works to the "small hours" for a week then returns to find out what has happened in the office in the first week of the month.  Survival of the fittest I guess.

Not much in the share market.  Could do with a little boom to provide an interest.  Thought Westralian Nickel was going to go through the roof.  My club has 100 and we double in one day, but it has come back again.  Now in Mount Isa have come out of Queensland but do not think there is much in it.  Australia looks good for the long term but will have Labour trouble and commodity prices are already coming down.  "Acorn" still tips gold as the only shares to hold - but which? and what of South Africa?  sterling is weakening again so perhaps they are right.  Hope you can manage the battery in the radio and it was what was wanted & the share prices come on.  Sometimes our wave bands are set at different levels to UK.

Bye for now and love Peter.

5 Sept 1970

 The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation

Johore Bahru

West Malaysia

Dear Mum and Dad,

We finally got away on holiday, although it was touch and go with the car playing up at the last moment.  The girls loved the swimming and sun.  You may know the thing to do on the east coast is to go out to a beach at night in season and watch the turtles come up to lay their eggs.  We were lucky and saw two - not the biggest and they did not lay, but it was still quite remarkable.  Was busy catching up on returning to the office and a machine breakdown di not help.  Malaysia National Day was a big event this year and we won 2nd prize for our decorations - should have been 1st - however, the only bank out of seven to do so.  Went to collect on Tuesday and sat through a very long speech in Malay.  Wednesday out to an official tea party - these things need a lot of stamina and are boring I am sure even for the locals.  Usual costumes band, anthem, Muslim prayers and hot sun.  The curry puffs were better than usual though.  We can now have the children out twice a year!  So they will come out at Christmas.  They will be returning from her4e QANTAS to arrive about 10.30 am 15 Sept and hope to have Dad's present with them.  HOpe the telegram arrived OK.  We get our cards in Singapore but had not been able to get in with the holiday.  The girls have been out and about - lots of friends for them.  Riding at the Raja Mud's polo ground.  Caroline out today at a Youth Festival with a Canadian friend.  Into Singapore swimming.  Eating mangoes ripe from our tree.  My club had Queensland Mines bought at A$12 sold at A$27 about the best we have done this year: have gone back into Endeavour for third time using profits only.  Fingers crossed.  Think aother devaluation is coming 1 or 2 years - what to do?

Love from us all Peter.

2nd July 1970

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation

Johore Bahru

West Malaysia

My dear Mum and Dad,

Many thanks for your letter & card whcih arrived yesterday.  After I had posted my letter to you, Peter told me that he hadn't mentioned that I had been in hospital!  However, it was nothing much - I was having a great deal of pain in my hip & leg so that I was unable to sleep.  My doctor sent me to see an Orthopaedic Surgeon in Singapore for a check up & it was driving this time that the pain became even worse.  I had to be admitted as I needed morphine injections during the night - sleeping tablets being no help at all.  Anyway everything was checked & it was only rheumatism - the Sciatic nerve being badly affected.  My blood was a bit below par so I was pumped with B.12 also B1 for the nerves - various tablets, a heat treatment & massage.  Now I am fine - but the surgeon tells me to watch out for the next monsoon!  Peter is buying an air conditioner for the car as my birthday present!  So it should be more comfortable travelling around.  Perhaps for my birthday present you could get me a tube of "ENDOCIL" night cream (black & gold tube - most chemists have it) & the girls could bring it out.  I have used it for years but now it appears to be unavailable in Singapore.  If not some bubble bath!

No more news - we have had a lot of rain but today is bright & hot.

Lots of love

Margo & Peter

23rd June 1970

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation

Johore Bahru

West Malaysia

Dear Mum and Dad,

Just a note to let you know that the girls will be leaving on July 16th on flight BA 798 at 15.45 (3.45hrs) from Heathrow.  So I imagine that they will leave Victoria about 2.30pm.

I came out of hospital last Monday & feel much better but have to take life easily.  We have a driver now & will keep him on at least until after the girls go back.  The hospital was very comfortable & I had an air conditioned room with private bathroom.  The nurses were so nice & I was very thankful that I wasn't in the Johore General hospital!  The only trouble with Gleneagles is that is such a long way for Peter to come but he had the driver so it wasn't too bad.

Elisabeth tells us that you visited her last week - she says it is colder now - but I believe it has been very hot.

Peter & I woke at 6.30am on Friday (midnight for you) as the Forces network was relaying the election results.  It was so exciting that I sat glued to the radio - ringing Peter every hour with the latest results.  Everyone here is elated especially the local Malaysia & Singapore Governments - but of course it is not going to be easy although I have a suspicion that Edward Heath may have more than one has been led to expect.  We shall see! - anyway they couldn't be any worse than Labour whom I felt were turning the UK into a left-wing state.  I've found it more & more depressing each time I've gone home.  It was such a contrast to Singapore where National pride is so noticeable with everyone striving to make a clean city.  (Hippies are banned in Spo & Malaysia) where everything seems so go-ahead - no strikes because the Unions know it will ruin the economy.  (Editor - Feeling a little disquiet at these right wing views knowing what I now know about Singapore!)

No more news

Love M & P

20th June 1970

 The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation

Johore Bahru

West Malaysia

Dear Mum and Dad,

Many thanks for your letter.  Presents for Caroline will now rest on clothing I expect, of one sort or another.  Difficult to remember she is 14 but I will be brought up to date very soon when they all come out.  Margo's mother has not gone in yet - a pity as she so much wanted to get it over and has Barbara arriving soon.  The election was thrilling and we had fun hearing results on the British Forces radio.  I do not expect the market to improve but had a little luck on a gambling share - "Endeavour" in Australia.  The second time this year, in & out before payment claimed.  Still the rest looks pretty sick and now look to 1972 before any major upturn.  Meanwhile, the bank is doing very well and we are now in Canada in finance business with a rep in Vancouver.  The operations being similar to those in Australia. Ian Sutherland who was the chap I took over from here, has got one of the top jobs & goes to Manila shortly.  John Howard, who was with me on the inspection tour of Borneo is now a director of the bank.  We now have four foreign staff on the board which is most ? as it used to be only the Chairman in the old old days.

Margo seems quite recovered from her back trouble and it seems the B it injections worked the trick.  Very lucky to make contact with the specialist in Singapore who is well up on this sort of thing.  The private hospital was the best we have seen and the staff were quite charming.  Indeed they were sorry to see Margo go as they were used to dropping in for a little chat during the night before Margo started to sleep properly.  We have been leading a lazy life for the past few weeks and must gear up for the girls arrival.  Luckily we have traced a lot of friends for them this time.  The dog has stopped growing I think and is not too large, but his teeth are, so hope he serves his purpose.

Love & best wishes

Margo & Peter