Metadata

Synopsis

Family - childhood and early upbringing. Family’s move to Coventry. Early schooling. Experiences during the War. Bombing of Coventry. Evacuation to Wales. Postwar experiences. Food rationing. Decision to seek employment outside England. Relaxations on prohibitions against women in Colonial Administrative Service. Emergency in Malaya. First posting (Personnel Office). Work during Federal Elections (1955). Attitude of local electorate. Nationwide support for Alliance Party. At this time conscious of the Emergency as a result of personnel work. Circumstances behind transfer to University of Malaya (Singapore). Decision not to return to England - stayed on at University and later confirmed there. About Cyril Parkinson. CP’s views on University adminstration. History Department nurtured future administrators.

Differences between Malaya and Singapore at this time. Political and social atmosphere. Impressions of prominent politicians. Academic life. Decision taken by Department to teach Asian history.  Her research on the Straits Settlements. Destruction of historical records during the War. Her students - some later became prominent. Members of Faculty. Friendships during this time. Marriage in 1962. Husband active in Volunteers during race riots (1964). Difficulties in University post-1965. Government’s views on foreign academics.