Anthony’s son touched by library’s initiative

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‘REMEMBERING ANTHONY’: James (right) unveils the poster to mark the opening of the exhibition of his late father Anthony Walter Brooke at ‘Remembearing Anthony’ at the state library in Kuching yesterday. Looking on are Bugo (left) and Jason.

A very big thank you to the state of Sarawak for such a memorable initiative. Even though everything is history now, but it is something worth remembering for our family in remembering my father through ‘Remembering Anthony’. I believe it is also an important occasion for the people of Sarawak too. – James Betram Lionel Brooke, Anthony Brooke’s son

KUCHING: James Betram Lionel Brooke was emotionally touched by an initiative made by Sarawak state library to remember the life of his late father, Anthony Walter Brooke, at the “Remembering Anthony” event yesterday.

In fact, the event signifies the highest honour given to the Brooke family ever since the family left the state after having reigning in Sarawak for almost a century.

James said: “A very big thank you to the state of Sarawak for such a memorable initiative. Even though everything is history now, but it is something worth remembering for our family in remembering my father through ‘Remembering Anthony’. I believe it is also an important occasion for the people of Sarawak too.”

State library chief executive officer Japri Bujang Masli said an exhibition is now opened to the public for them to gain valuable information on life during Brooke Dynasty.

Anthony was born on 10 December, 1912, and was appointed as the “Rajah Muda” of Sarawak on 25 August, 1937, taking over the reign from his uncle, Charles Vyner Brooke (the third Rajah).

He was raised in England and received his early education at Eton College before proceeding to Trinity College, Cambridge and School of African and Oriental studies at the University of London.

In 1930s, Anthony held some important posts in the public sector, including Land Department and Registration office.

He was also a magistrate. He joined the British Army as a private soldier in November 1941 and served in World War II. He was a lieutenant in the British Intelligence, under SAC SEAC in Kandy, Ceylon. He was appointed as Special Commissioner for Sarawak in United Kingdom from 1944-45.

The last Rajah of Sarawak died on March 2, 2011, at the age of 98 years old.

The public can visit the exhibition from 11am to 7pm every day, except on public holidays, at the first floor of the State library in Petra Jaya here.

The exhibition will end on June 30.

Among those present at the event were state library chairman Datuk Amar Hamid Bugo and Jason Anthony Brooke.