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Letters from W.C. Crocker (in London) and Anthony Brooke (in Singapore) to Kathleen Brook in Sarawak, 27 Aug 1947-Jan 1948

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Some letters were clipped together by her and numbered in sequence: these numbers are given in brackets and the main topics, other than personal and family matters, are noted. Comprises:

  1. (fols. 1-5) (1-3) two letters from Crocker (and a copy of the second), commenting on her letters and diary and giving news of her children; the proposal to issue 'Facts about Cession' and the absurd statement that 'the Datus returned their bribes 24 hours after receiving them'; and a day spent with her children at Christchurch, 27 Aug, 3 Sep 1947
  2. (fols. 6-9) (4) letter from Anthony Brooke about having sent a copy of her diary to Crocker; and universal admiration expressed for her courage and behaviour, 6 Sep 1947
  3. (fol. 10) (5) letter from Crocker about the view of Dr Withers-Payne [Notary Public, Singapore] that anti-Cession feeling was growing; and advice that she should show support for Dayak as much as for Malayan (Malaysian) communities, 10 Sep 1947
  4. (fols. 11-14) (6) letter from Anthony Brooke about Crocker's authorship of The Facts about Sarawak and his title as solicitor of the Supreme Court; and advice about her coming meeting with the Governor, 13 Sep 1947
  5. (fol. 15) (7) letter from Crocker about the Governor's 'monstrous behaviour' in regard to AD's libel action, 19 Sep 1947
  6. (fols. 16-20) (8) letter from Anthony Brooke about her missing letter and diary concerning her visit to the Balleh [river or constituency?]; steps taken by the government to prevent her meeting Temenggong Koh; Crocker's confidence that the ban would be lifted on the reassembly of Parliament; the possibility of her visiting Singapore before her Second Division trip, and his anxiety about her health; her political discussions with Drake, and the position of the Rajah in relation to the King in Sarawak; her warning about Kipli; and the danger of the people addressing her as Ranee, 25 Sep 1947
  7. (fols. 21-25) (9 and 10) two letters about her diaries, John Gilbert, and the possibility of a family home near Kuching; the Third Division anti-Cession movement; and the government's right to prevent any act likely to lead to a breach of the peace, 1 and 6 Oct 1947
  8. (fols. 26-35) (1-1A) letter from Anthony Brooke about her confidential talks with the Governor; a possible decision by MacDonald that she should be pushed out of the country; the behaviour of K[ipli] and A[nnuar], and the danger of their bad influence among illiterate people; and a copy of Anthony Brooke's letter about his talk with Kipli regarding sale of books in Sarawak, 11-19 Oct 1947
  9. (fols. 36-39) (4B and 5) letter from Anthony Brooke about his reaction to proposals for Trades Union legislation and income tax in Sarawak; the irreversible changes in the country; and the effect of the Hartal throughout Malaya (Malaysia), 20 and 21 Oct 1947
  10. (fols. 40-45) (6) letter from Anthony Brooke about the wisdom of her remaining in Sarawak for longer despite difficulties, and his total confidence in her, 25 Oct 1947
  11. (fols. 46-70) (7) 19 cables from Anthony Brooke, sequence uncertain, clipped together by Kathleen Brooke, many with news of the children, 1947-1948
  12. (fols. 71-72) (8) letter from Anthony Brooke about financial arrangements for her, and advice to her not to make 'loans' to Malayan (Malaysian) people but rather to make gifts of money for expenses, 22 Oct 1947
  13. (fols. 73-80) (1 and 2) letter from Anthony Brooke about legal procedure in Sarawak; interest shown by [David] Gammans, MP, and his view of [David] Rees-Williams, MP; Anthony Brooke's contacts with MPs and the press; talks with MacDonald about his visit to Sarawak and his opinion of the government's right to enforce the ban; John and Paddy Gilbert's difficult position in regard to the government; and Christmas celebrations, 1-2 Nov 1947
  14. (fols. 81-84) (3 and 4) letter from Anthony Brooke about reasons for the ban on Kathleen Brooke's visit to the Balleh [river or constituency?]; MacDonald's attack on Anthony Brooke, 5 and 7 Nov 1947
  15. (fols. 85-90) (5 and 6) letter from Anthony Brooke about his visit to Kuala Lumpur; Kipli's propaganda; Kathleen Brooke's movements; rumours that a copy of her 'letter in diary form' had been seen on the desk at the Astana; and illness of Kathleen Brooke's father [W.E.C. Hudden], 18 and 25 Nov 1947
  16. (fols. 91-96) (8-10) letter from Anthony Brooke about Margaret Noble's enthusiastic support; replies to a circular letter to MPs sent out by Crocker; his own feeling that she had been in Sarawak long enough, and copy of letter to Crocker to this effect; also, a letter from Crocker's secretary, Miss Florence Beckley, about the children, 26-29 Nov 1947
  17. (fols. 97-98) (1 and 2) cable about the recovery of Kathleen Brooke's father, and copy of one from her to Anthony Brooke about her plans to complete her tour, 29 and 30 Nov 1947
  18. (fols. 99-102) (3) letter from Anthony Brooke about the urgent need for a 'tangible sign' from London; his amazement at her ambitious plans for a further extensive tour (see fol. 98) and his doubts of the advisability of so arduous a trip, 2 Dec 1947
  19. (fols. 103-104) (7 and 8) letter from Anthony Brooke about his letter to Jugah, with draft of letter from Anthony Brooke to Penghulus expressing regret at being unable to accompany Kathleen Brooke owing to the ban, 3 Dec 1947
  20. (fols. 105-107) (9 and 10) letter from Anthony Brooke about Withers-Payne's view that the case [to set aside the Cession] should be launched before her departure from Sarawak; the proposal that they should live in Singapore for a while; and visits from Pakistan and Indian press representatives, also from Mrs Barbara Hall, 4 and 5 Dec 1947
  21. (fols. 108-125) (1 and 8) eight letters from Anthony Brooke, about American interest; his relief at the cancellation of her Kelabit trip; Kipli's behaviour; Crocker's continued silence; enquiries into Kipli's activities; and difficulties in planning their future, 6-26 Dec 1947
  22. (fols. 126-137) (9) nine cables from Anthony Brooke (dates and sequence uncertain), clipped together by Kathleen Brooke, chiefly about his unsatisfactory interviews with MacDonald, and the Governor's refusal to see him, in regard to lifting the ban, Dec 1947-Jan 1948.

Dates

  • Creation: 27 Aug 1947-Jan 1948

Extent

137 Leaves

Language of Materials

  • English

Shelfmark

MSS. Pac. s. 83/34, folder 8

Repository Details

Repository Details

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