Dear George
I'm back in Sydney for a bit. Thanks for helping out with getting the
sad message to Mrs Gopal. Over the years Mum kept in touch with her -
frequently speaking to her by phone.
While I was in Adelaide I had the sad duty to inform Yvonne Ward [Carl
and Michael's Mum] - she was unable to speak and was very upset.
Although she did call back after Carl and Michael had gone to her
house to offer support. Mum and Eve were very close. [ Eve knew Dad
from her childhood - Dad grew up in Bangalore - he even did his
apprenticeship working in Eve's father's business - Ashe is Eve's
maiden name] The Wards are related to us through Mum - Clary Ward and
Dickie Ward were Mum's cousins. It was through Dickie Ward that Mum
met my Dad. Dad had been recuperating from third degree burns
sustained in the military workshops in Cantonment. I might add, Clary
gave Mum away at her wedding - cause her family did not approve of her
choice of husband. It was only after the marriage, when Dad prospered
in business in Lucknow that they eventually came around. Ironically,
it was the remnants of Mum's family who had settled in Adelaide after
WW2 who sponsored the Cline family migrating to Australia. [We were
supposed to go to New Zealand in 1952] But there it stopped - Mum and
Dad went it alone and in the 15 years that Dad lived in Australia, he
set up the family's resources - it sustained Mum for the 28 years she
survived after Dad's demise. They are buried in the same plot north
of Adelaide.
I have been going to Adelaide for Christmas for the past 27 years -
this year was the first time I have been in Sydney for the festive
season.
I have also had a long chat with Maurice and Glenna James - they
usually phoned Mum at around Christmas time. They had left a message
on Mum's phone - so I called them back. Maurice has a very good recall
about his life in India - can tell many a tale of the shenanigans
those Anglo boys got up to in Lawrence Terrace. Some one should record
an interview with Maurice - he always has an interesting way of
telling his tales - very good grip on reality too.
Speaking of Bangalore - I have attached a PDF from the latest edition
of the New Yorker.
Thanks and be of good cheer.
John
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