Interview with Wilfred Barlow

Wilfred Ainslie Barlow, known as Bill, was born in Calcutta on 24.10.1929, an only child. Talks about Indian, British and New Zealand passports and arrival in New Zealand, October 1971. Mentions grandfathers. Talks of father's job in Licence Measures Dept. in shipping, while mother was a stenographer. Grew up with servants, brought up by friend with three children.

Talks of father, a catholic until he became a Freemason, and mother was Anglican. Mentions that he was not compelled to go to church, but attended Victoria School, Kurseong, which was Anglican with other denominations present. Talks of uniform, religions and standard of education, attaining Senior Cambridge. Describes being an apprentice engineer and training opportunities, also the five years as an A Grade apprentice in Kharagpur with mainly Anglo-Indians, then going to sea. Discusses the loyalties of Anglo-Indians.

Talks about his parents' families in India, his parents' illnesses and early deaths and the whereabouts of the friend which brought him up. Talks of rented accommodation in Calcutta. Describes other Anglo-Indian communities, jobs and social life. Describes railway employee socials, dances and sports.

Describes the family's accommodation, mentions western style clothing. Talks about childhood fun, food and related customs, languages including Hindi, Telagu. Mentions his accommodation and bearer.

Talks about gaining his engineering ticket in England on completion of his apprenticeship, then working as a junior engineer in shipping. Describes tenants in his accommodation, the loss of his possessions. Mentions meeting his UK wife, his friends who left India and attitudes of Indians. Talks of the book 'Bhowani Junction' portraying Anglo-Indians and how they treated women. Talks of Raj wives and orphanages, club membership, class distinction and differences in races. Describes Calcutta at the time of partition.

Mentions his jobs with freighters and applying to emigrate to New Zealand with his family. Talks of job with Union Steamship Co.and conditions. Gives reasons for going to Auckland and Lyttelton. Mentions conditions in India when he returned, settling in other countries, the colour issue and people's attitudes to Anglo-Indians.

Awards/funding - Project received an Oral History Grant

Interviewer(s) - Dorothy McMenamin

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008501, OHC-008502

Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2639.

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-007689 to OHLC-007690