12th Nov 1961

H.S.B.C Jesselton Dear Mum, Dad and Alan, Many thanks for your letter and also Adriennes parcel. The dog is great fun and all the other odds and ends will thrill her tomorrow, which is the great day. she has been very taken up with her party for the last week. Distributing her invitations at school and then collecting the replies. She has grown out of her baby stage a lot though is still given to crying in temper for very little reason but once on her own can be very amusing. Had a great game with Elisabeth tonight and she can now roll over on her front and then reverse. She has been near doing this for some time but could not move her arms out of the way once she had rolled on top of them. Now she lifts & moves her arms around. In reversing it is necessary to swing one leg over the other and this she can now do and there is definite movement up and down with the bad leg. She is full of fun and conversation but can have Adrienne's sharp temper when things go wrong or she is unable to say what she wants. Acorn seems to think that the end of the bear market may appear towards the middle of 1962. I have had my eye on BMC at 13/- for some time now but they have shot up too fast to do anything. Can you give me a quick list of people in Tamworth Park with addresses for Christmas cards. Roger & Pat - Mrs Brooks - Rita & Fred etc as I do not seem to have a note handy from last year. We have got a good second hand 3 wheeler for A. for her birthday very cheap and have a two wheeler lined up for Caroline at Christmas. This will leave a big 3 wheeler for Susan & the baby one that you bought, for Elisabeth. It will give you an idea how they have all grown. We will be buying them motor scooters in a few years I can see. The weather has produced an absolutely scorching week. Too hot. I even got burnt to-day, something that hasn't happened in twelve months. But we are coming towards cooler weather and that is something to look forward to. Am still making boxes and have completed one for the record player and a rough box cum cabinet for the records. Have had quite an interesting time in the office lately and shall continue to do so now through to Feb. The second junior had a quick posting to Hongkong and I have been teaching the replacement his job. The manager is off on a 3 week business trip and I shall be doing a few extra odd jobs. Ian Macleod will be arriving in December to commence his take over as Acct. I knew him in Calcutta and this will bring in a trip to Beaufort. Then the half year will be upon us and Peter Ingham will be off. As a background there will be a very steady stream of Christmas and New Year parties which owing to our now long residence will claim us even more than before. Cheerio for now and love from us all. Peter.

24th Oct 1961

The Hongkong Bank Jesselton Dear Mum Dad and Alan, Many thanks for your letter and thank you for buying the present for Donald. I don't remember you telling me it was 14th Oct. although I do remember asking twice but maybe I did not notice. Am enclosing a cheque which should settle my debts to date. have no specific requirements for Christmas so cannot help you there. However, have been very energetic and have ordered presents for everybody including children so you have nothing to do for me this year. Have covered Donald, Dorothy, Hilda & Henry. Pauline & Elaine, Fiona & Mary. The trip back from Labuan was great and it is certainly the place to sit up front. I was met by the whole family - the four girls putting up a very loud and continuous greeting which could be heard across the airport. It was worth having been away. Found on my return that once again I was to stand in for someone else's job for two weeks, but this is now routine. I only hope it is appreciated but I doubt it. The Labuan trip has done me a lot of good and I have been particularly light hearted since my return. We expect to be airconditioned in the office next year (5 years late) and this will definitely help with my last year of the tour. Rachael Rice passed through last week on her way to Sandakan and it was good to have a chat. Their last place was Rangoon and it has no attractions at all! even worse than Calcutta. Have been doing some more box making. Very satisfying banging pieces of wood together although one becomes wetter than from having a shower. The point being of course that it saves a lot of money as packers here are expensive. I found Elisabeth improved whilst I was away. She is talking now so that one out of three words can be recognised and her teeth troubles are mainly over. The big doubles caused a lot of soreness. She tries to crawl but the one bad leg gets in her way - once that comes back she will have a much wider range of activity. She sits on the swing happily and enjoys sitting on the small bicycle. Am glad Ian is to be a No 1. It is not bad at 40 with 20 or more years to do on the higher salary bracket. We are getting some very junior appointments on the Foreign Staff just now as a result of the war years. People barely 2 years senior to me are becoming Accountants & Acting Managers, but from the staff list it would appear that things will revert to normal by the time it comes to my turn and I anticipate having to wait for 4 years or so. However, having only done eleven years I must not be impatient. Cheerio for now and love from us all Peter.

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.

14th Sept. 1961

H. & S. B. C. Jesselton Dear Mum and Dad, Thank you for your letter, I am not surprised that you are missing a few letters I have been slack lately. There should be one at home for you and I hope this will reach you on the second week of your holiday. Alan's trip will be full of interest and mid-day picnice are most sensible. I am glad Dad has the watch and strap and will send a cheque in another letter in case this goes astray. Am sorry I had not mentioned anything for Adrienne, but it is only recently that she has asked for a golliwog and perhaps you can note this for Christmas. Re Donald's wedding present - an awful lot comes under the heading of essentials these days and one must be careful what one gives to an artist (the colour could be right out!). A good "Salt Pepper & Mustard" set in silver might be in order and if Dad remembers where "Posterns" is, near where Cannon St used to be you might be able to see something for me. We had a successful buffet supper at home last night as a farewell to the secretary who has been here three years - a fat turkey & ham which is going to last some time - all the arrangements went well and we were lucky to have a breeze blowing off the sea as it has been very hot lately. The share market is still on the way down and if it were not for leave next year I would be looking for some cheap purchases. But from all reports it is unlikely that there will be a speedy recovery. A crystal ball would be very useful. Acorn gave Royal Insurance last month at 160/- and they have gone down to 154/-. I too wonder about Roans but N. Rhodesia is still very troubled and no one is optimistic about the copper price. But it is worth watching events. Nothing else much to write about - the children are in good form and have gone off to sleep with little fuss tonight. Cheerio and Love from us all, Peter

6.9.61

Written on an airmail letter which has had something spilled on it and so difficult to read, hence a few question marks on this post. Dear Mum, Dad & Alan, I am developing into a shocking correspondent! Have been promising myself that I would write a proper letter instead of my usual scribble but nothing has come of this resolution. I can blame the weather or the whole series of entertainments which have occurred and still are to occur. Of course nothing unusual happens these days to stir one up to energetic writing except that of events with the children. Elisabeth continues her jolly way and a few more words become apparent in her conversation. Peter Hammond who was with me in Calcutta passed through on his way to Taiwan after leave and we are entertaining his wife this evening as she is following by sea. Ken Rice too will be here with us this weekend, going to Saudakan. We also have the Mayors (?) for a day on their way to Kuching. A burst of activity occurred (?) because I had two old Penang friends through recently and they of course necessitated get togethers and a few beers. To list all the social round would be a bore, though I find it pleasant I wish it would spread out a bit more. I have no doubt that in a few weeks we shall be sitting still and wondering what to do until the next round commences. We have even missed our usual bridge evenings which is a pity because we need practice but shall arrange something soon. It must be nearing Donald's wedding and wonder if you have any idea what I should do for a present. I think something ordered from London and delivered direct would be best. Any ideas? Weather is warming up here and I guess it is cooling down ?? The share market looks cool enough and am still hoping for some better showing before leave next year. Saw a report on Roans, profit down quite a bit. The rubber price is up a few cents whilst Berlin etc is on and whilst Bangowan may not show an extraordinary result Malay it should be quite good. Rothman's are making a $1 issue in Malaya at the end of the year and this should be OK on long term provided the political situation remains stable. Love from us all Peter.

15th July 1961

Written on HSBC airmail letter Jesselton Dear Mum, Dad and Alan, Many thanks for your letter and the history of Mrs & Miss Webb, I expect I shall forget it again but I do remember that you had told me before. Your card for Caroline arrived quite safely as did the handkerchiefs for Margo, she was very pleased with them indeed. Sorry to hear about Mr & Mrs Loose (editor - not sure about spelling) - give them our regards and hope that an improvement takes place soon. Donald would have returned to Scotland by now and I shall be hearing about his news from you in your next letter. Caroline likes her new school and Adrienne I think enjoys going to her school by herself and has improved being senior to the newcomers this year. Susan is still very much of a personage in her own right and is very self contained. There have been further minor improvements in Elisabeth and she is full of fun and energy. We are trying to obtain a rocker which I think will be very useful for her to sit and play in, from Singapore - they did not have it in Hongkong. The share market once again looks very sad with dismal predictions and I am losing hope for any of my interests unless Carreras pull something out of the hat. Even Premium Bonds have done nothing to compensate though there is always a chance something will come up. Have been continuing with my odd jobs in the office - the latest being to do with the aquiring of an odd strip of land next to our house and writing to the Town Board to complain about the drains. I find it quite tiring now in this stage of a tour and hot weather is flattening in a very hot office, but expect to get my second wind soon and brighten up again. The next three weeks should keep my nose to the grindstone, and put my own work even further behind. I used to pride myself in always being up to date but that seems to be a thing of the past. However, there is always something new happening which is as it should be. Cheerio for now and love from us all Peter