The collection comprises letters written mainly by Tom Pearson Cromwell to his parents (1926-1964). There are also some photographs taken in Malaya of Tom, his wife Betty, Malaya people, flora, fauna etc.
Papers of Tom Pearson Cromwell
This material is held atSchool of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Archives, University of London
- Reference
- GB 102 PP MS 33
- Dates of Creation
- 1926-1966
- Name of Creator
- Language of Material
- English
- Physical Description
- 12 boxes
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
Tom Pearson Cromwell was born in 1909 and educated at Bradford High School, and at Christ College, Cambridge. He joined the Colonial Administrative Service in 1932 and served as a cadet in Malaya until 1939. He was interned from 1942- 1945. In 1945 he conducted a survey on Chinese schools in Malaya. He became the Assistant Secretary for Chinese Affairs in Malaya in 1946, holding the Portfolio of Labour in Sarawak by 1947. In 1953, he was appointed Director of Social Welfare in Singapore. From 1957 until he retired in 1960, he held the post of Departmental Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Lands and Housing.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into eight sections: letters from Cromwell to his parents; letters written by Cromwell to his uncle; letters to Cromwell from his parents; letters from Betty Cromwell to her parents-in-law; letters to Cromwell by others; letters to Josh and Ethel Cromwell from relatives and friends; photographs, and other material.
Access Information
Open
Acquisition Information
Transferred from office of SOAS Director, July 1989.
Other Finding Aids
Unpublished handlist