Reference
X214/12/36
Title
Transcript of interview with Khalid Shafi, previously Mir, born 25 June 1963 in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, in a small village called Nullaa, near Muzaffarabad.
Date free text
1963 - 30 November 2008
Production date
From: 1963 To: 2008
Scope and Content
Initially lived close to large extended family. When Khalid was a bit older, lived in the town an a house shared with uncle and his family.
Went to school on a bus; it was a sort of English school; not a local school. Suspects it was expensive. Father was working overseas at the time. Mother died when Khalid was aged 5.
Childhood games: football, cricket, kite flying.
Holidays in the mountains in Galli, where Uncle lived.
Has 3 brothers and 3 sisters. Grandmother played a big role in upbringing after mother died.
Describes school: it was imperative to work hard, as if you do not do well you cannot move on to the next class. Did not stay long at the first school - it was very strict and Kahalid was not happy there. Got caned for playing truant.
Came to England in September 1972; travelled with fether and brother.
Recalls a teacher at the first school attended in England. Step-mother also taught at the same school.
After school joined the merchant navy; went to sea training college at Gravesend, then spent 5 years in the merchant navy; travelled to many places. Comments about seasickness; day to day work on ship; the power of the sea, comradeship, etc.
Comments about influence of step-mother.
Now works at IBC Motors, making vans for Vauxhall and Renault. Recently had 25 years service at Vauxhall Motors, the parent company.
Married in 1989 to a girl from Kashmir. Has 4 sons.
Comments about learning English on arrivalin the UK.
When first arrived in England lived in Marshalswick, St. Albans. Father was working in North London.
First came to Luton as houses in St. Albans were too expensive. Bought a house in Luton with sister at age 18. Sister had a job in Luton, so that was anoter reason for selecting Luton. Khalid was in the Merchan tNavy, so only needed somewhere to live when on leave. Brother lived in the house for a while. Enjoys living in Luton.
Thinks his father made a brave decision to move to England. He was an accountant in India, but when he came to the UK he did lots of jobs in factories, bus driver, electrician, postman etc. Eventually he managed to work as an accountant in England.
Does not recall experiencing any particular racism; perhaps because his step-mother worked at the school.
Comparisons between England and Kashmir.
Reference
Level of description
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