Flying to Hong Kong 1966 Style

David C. Hamilton

1966

The day we left Glasgow for Hong Kong in February 1966 is forever etched in my memory. Picture myself at thirty one never been out of the country apart from our honey moon in Jersey. Anne; six months pregnant with our daughter Lesley Anne, our son Colin a babe in arms and our eldest a toddler of two and a half years. My friend Bryce Morrison had taken us to Renfrew Airport to catch the red eye special to London Heathrow where we would board the BOAC flight to Hong Kong. Our fellow passengers were mainly businesses men; so a family like ourselves was unusual.

When we checked in suitcases I was told it would cost us fifty pounds in excess baggage charges. This I could not believe as we had received all our documentation from the Crown Agents some time before giving details of baggage allowance. I had most careful to make sure our accompanying baggage did not exceed our allowance; weighing everything on our bathroom scales the previous night. However the clerk informed me that our allowance was from London not our point of origin, Glasgow. As we did not have the money available to pay this charge urgent action was required. This rerquired me to open up my suitcase in full of all the bemused businessmen in the queue, selecting all my essential wear; underpants, socks, hankies and suchlike. All those items I stuffed into every available pocket I had; ending up looking like the Michelin Man. Bryce arranged for this suitcase to be sent by sea to Hong Kong. ... (continues)