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Letters from Anthony Brooke in Singapore to Kathleen Brooke, 14 Jan-26 Aug 1947

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The letters were numbered by her in three sequences of 1-10 and one of 1-12 (in which No. 4 is missing). These numbers are given in brackets and the main topics, other than personal and family matters, are noted. Comprises:

Sequence 1:

  1. (fols. 1-2) (1A) about the interest shown in his arrival in Singapore; activities relating to Sarawak by MPs in England; Kathleen Brooke's meetings with [Oliver] Stanley; strong objections expressed by the Dayak and Chinese communities regarding the attitude of the authorities in Sarawak, 14 Jan 1947
  2. (fols. 3-5) (1B) about the personal campaign developing against himself; his relationship with the Singapore press; and his mother's 'exemplary' behaviour, 18 Jan 1947
  3. (fols. 6-8) (2) about Kathleen Brooke's family problems; messages for Crocker about the Datu Amar and Datu Pahlawan, and the findings concerning MacBryan; and support from the Malay press, 23 Jan 1947
  4. (fols. 9-11) (3) about his confidential report on his meeting with [Malcolm] MacDonald [Governor-General of Malaya (Malaysia)]; and Arthur Bryant's article in the Illustrated London News, 28 Jan 1947
  5. (fols. 12-13) (4 and 5) two letters, about Aubrey Buxton and his views on the Colonial Office's attitude; and support in Singapore from the Bishop, Tungku Mahideen, and Admiral Egerton, 1 and 3 Feb 1947
  6. (fol. 14) (6) about the arrival of Ivor Thomas, Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, and talks with MacDonald and the Bishop of Singapore; the arrival of Patrick McKerron [Colonial Secretary, Singapore), 8 Feb 1947
  7. (fols. 15-16) (7 and 8) about Kathleen Brooke's activities in England; the invitation to Bertram Brooke from the Malay National Union to come to Sarawak, 13 and 14 Feb 1947
  8. (fol. 17) (9) about the arrival in Singapore of Robert Jitam (Dayak Association), the Malay Youth Movement, and others; the progress made by the Malay National Union; and courtesy and hospitality shown to him by the Governor of Singapore [Sir Franklin Charles Gimson], 20 Feb 1947
  9. (fol. 18) (10) about a question asked by Sir Ernest Graham-Little, MP, and the time devoted in the House to Sarawak affairs; the unity achieved in Singapore between the four associations, and their intention to attack MacDonald for misrepresentation of affairs in Sarawak; Robert Jitam's warning of the danger of a Dayak uprising, and the widely held belief that the Rajah was still the 'real ruler', 25 Feb 1947.

Sequence 2:

  1. (fols. 19-24) (1-6) six brief letters, covering cuttings to be passed on to Crocker, about the split in the Young Malay Association (YMA); the circularisation to MPs and others of reprints of an article by Anthony Brooke; and unexpected support from the Sultan of Brunei, 26 Feb-7 Mar 1947
  2. (fols. 25-26) (7 and 8) about the value of Kathleen Brooke's work and her contacts with MPs; his good impressions of Jitam and Ma'amon; a sympathetic meeting with [Lord] Killearn [Special Commissioner in South-East Asia]; Bancroft to see Kathleen Brooke and Crocker about the intimidation of European officers under the new regime; and a copy of Reuters press release about a meeting of the Malay National Union condemning the ban on Anthony Brooke's entry into Sarawak, 12 Mar 1947
  3. (fol. 27) (9) about new developments relating to Kipli; and the formation of a woman's section of the Malay National Union, 18 Mar 1947
  4. (fol. 28) (10) about Kathleen Brooke's photograph in the Morning Tribune; MacDonald's visit to Sarawak, and anti-Cession posters displayed throughout the country, 22 Mar 1947.

Sequence 3:

  1. (fol. 29) (1) about his hopes that physical disturbances might be avoided; the government's efforts to fill the posts vacated following the resignations of indigenous individuals with non-indigenous people, 23 Mar 1947
  2. (fol. 30) (2) about his intention to write an article for publication on the Rajah's birthday; considerable sympathy shown by businessmen; and government plans to 'open up' Sarawak, 24 Mar 1947
  3. (fols. 31-32) (3 and 4) two letters about press publicity, 25 Mar 1947
  4. (fols. 33-35) (5-7) about Kathleen Brooke's passage to Singapore; his mother's wish to provide financial support for the fight against Cession, with a copy of a letter from her to her solicitor, R.N. Greenwood, 28 and 29 Mar 1947
  5. (fol. 36) (8) about reactions to his remark that he had 'never actually opposed Cession', and his reasons for making it, 3 Apr 1947
  6. (fols. 37-38) (9 and 10) about his additional statement in the Straits Times, 5 and 7 Apr 1947.

Sequence 4:

  1. (fol. 39) (1) about a message to be sent from Kathleen Brooke to the Women's Associations at Kuching and Sibu; the possibility of her visiting Sarawak; about the house, 'Sarawak Lodge', rented by his mother, where they were both living, 23 Apr 1947
  2. (fols. 40-41) (2) about the advantages and disadvantages of Kathleen Brooke visiting Sarawak; Crocker to contact General Buurman Van Freden, C-in-C Netherlands Forces, about MacBryan; and the Governor's friendly attitude, 28 Apr 1947
  3. (fol. 42) (3) about Kathleen Brooke's letters to [T.C.] Skeffington-Lodge, MP, and other press items; rumours about MacBryan's movements; the use made of MacBryan by the Colonial Office and the Rajah; and Arden-Clarke's attitude regarding the government of Sarawak, 7 May 1947
  4. (fols. 43-45) (5) about Kathleen Brooke's approaching arrival; the use of the word annexation in place of Cession, and the views of Withers-Payne; the cooperation of the Straits Times; and Arthur Bryant's excellent article in the Illustrated London News, n.d. [Jul 1947]
  5. (fol. 46) (6) about her brief visit and illness in Singapore; advice on speech-making; and his hope to join her in Kuching in two or three weeks' time, 29 Jul 1947
  6. (fols. 47-48) (7) about her telegram from Miri, and the possibilities of joining her there, 31 Jul 1947
  7. (fols. 49-51) (8) about his hopes to join her on the Darvel from Miri to Pending; and his libel case [against Digby] to be heard on 24 Aug, 6 Aug 1947
  8. (fols. 52-53) (9) about the importance of her diary; advice to associate as much as possible with 'our Native friends'; the ban on his joining her on the Darvel; and good news of funds for the prosecution of the campaign, 12 Aug 1947
  9. (fols. 54-55) (10) about interception of their letters; the government's refusal to allow him to visit Sarawak for the libel action; and translation and sales of 'The Facts' [The Facts about Sarawak], 18 Aug 1947
  10. (fols. 56-58) (11 and 12) about Father Howes's visit and encouraging news; his appreciation of her enjoyment of river travel and staying in Long Houses; his plan to visit Kuala Lumpur; and advice not to allow herself to be addressed as 'Ranee', 22 and 26 Aug 1947.

Dates

  • Creation: 14 Jan-26 Aug 1947

Extent

58 Leaves

Language of Materials

  • English

Shelfmark

MSS. Pac. s. 83/34, folder 5

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository

https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/weston
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