EC Boundless - Couples

Here are two couples of difference races who met because of conflict. There is also an 80-year-old love letter. You can also learn about the most famous English love poem ever.

Anne and Bob

Bob and Anne today, after 49 years of happy marriage

Bob Beadman came to Hong Kong in October, 1958. He was working for the British Air Force and was sent here to serve. Bob met his future wife Anne at a dancehall in December of that year. They fell in love and got engaged 10 months later. Mixed marriages were uncommon at that time but that was not there only problem.

“People married much younger in the 1950’s. We got married soon after my 21st birthday. I needed a permission letter from my parents! Anne was interviewed by Air Force officers for more than 24 hours about why we were getting married. Maybe they thought she was a spy! I was angry but there was nothing we could do.

We lived in a flat in Tsim Sha Tsui after marrying. Our son, Lee, was born in 1961. I decided to leave the Air Force and return to Britain. We moved from busy Tsim Sha Tsui to a small village in England with about 150 people. Our daughter Kay was born soon after that.

Anne and I returned to Hong Kong 20 years ago. It’s my home now and I love this city. Kay is teaching English in Ho Yat Tung Primary School in Tuen Mun.

In the 1950’s, every young British man had to serve in the army, navy or air force. I had no choice. But without this policy, I would never have met Anne!

Bob and Anne on their wedding day, 29/12/59.

Diana and Tony

Diana and Tony on holiday in Japan recently

Tony Pe grew up in Burma, which is now called Myanmar. He had to leave after his family was persecuted when Burma became independent in 1948.

Tony became a civil engineer in the UK. He met and married Diana Good in January, 1960. Diana and Tony lived briefly in Burma and had a son in 1968.

With emails and text messages, love letters are a thing of the past. Yet receiving a personal letter is a great thrill. Try to send a letter to your friend or sweetheart! This one may help.

Robert Young grew up in the UK and fought in World War 1. Soon after that, he met his future wife, Jean. He wrote a letter in 1927 shortly before they got married. Read the wonderfully romantic language he uses.

Robert's son and daughter-in-law Douglas and Nan reading the letter.

1. My Sweetheart

More Love showers on us.

2. All I wish is just this, that come what may in life, may we always act rightly and love those around us.

3. Goodbye my Sweetheart

Keep cheery till we're one in love, and forever after.

Always,

Your Loving Bob

The most famous English love poem is ‘A red, red rose’, written by Robert Burns in 1794. The speaker loves a woman and uses many images to describe his feelings. Although this love is eternal, everlasting, they cannot escape the passing of time.

These notes will help you understand the poem. Try to find more similes and hyperbole.

Here are some poetry terms and notes to help you understand poems.

Poetry term	Meaning	Examples
rhythm	two words have the same ending sound	June & tune eyes & flies
simile	two things or people are compared using ‘like’ or ‘as’	She looks like a princess in that dress. Tim’s face went as red as a beetroot when she kissed him.
metaphor	Two things are compared, usually using ‘to be’ (not ‘like’ or ‘as’)	Our boss is a snake. Watch out! My heart is broken. The sun smiled down on us.
hyperbole	using language to make something seem more than it is	Our Maths teacher must be 200 years old. Dave has hundreds of girlfriends. I could eat a horse.
stanza verse	a set of lines in a poem with a break between each one	There are four stanzas in ‘A red, red rose’. The first verse is the most famous.

This link gives more examples - http://www.newton.k12.ks.us/sch/w/start/Metaphors_Similes.htm .

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