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(N.B. The grading of this jacket must be the sure as that of the highest graded document contulaed in it. The appropriate upgrading slip must be affixed when over necessary, ¿
CONFIDENTIAL
+
FOREIGN OFFICE
DEPT.
FAR EASTERN
TITLE:
DETENTION OF FOREIGNERS: IN.
ERIC GORDON // A FAMILY.
REFER TO
REFER TO
DEPT.
DATE DEPT.
NAME
DATE DEPT.
REFER TO
NAME
NAME
PA
MATH.
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DO NOT RETAIN FILES AND PAPERS UNNECESSARILY RETURN THEM TO REGISTRY FOR B.U. OR P.A.
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2.5.68.1
FILE No.
FC142
(N.B. The grading of this jacket must be the same as that of the highest graded document contained in it. The appropriate upgrading oliy meat be afted when ever necessary,
CONFIDENTIAL
PART
A O
Passport Form @ Cultninge.
Chelsea
83
RCHIVES No. .
17 SEP 1968
Sepr F21/42
13 Drugs to Mr. Suljo cousni
(r) See Grim telations.
ew
2
John,
Grateful if the
3ne
now
Could
star
This off
то
too.
I'll
be popping
in
near week
no
dolt.
I'm lurching with H. Mason o Gulsward on Tuesday, seeing Paul G-B at 3pm. so I might pop in after ther
I think
م
Jou
swa
you
has same
newspaper
cultings for me,
13
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WITH
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I could
collect them
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time,
your
"Donaldh
·
and zł
Над
82
To din D Hapura 22, Westbourne - Gdus.
VED IN
I
ARCHIVES No. 31
17 SEP 1968
Fei/42
Dear Sir
до
Hove,
Sussex, BN3. 5 PP. 2nd September, 1968.
+
am very glad that you were
able to obtain
виша.
visa to leave
Thank-you, and the British Mission in Peking, for the efforts on behalf of my brother, Eric Gorda, his
wife, Marid, and their son,
Ша
aged twelve years;
Kin Kim,
who have
bεEn detained by the Chinese
for about eleven months.
D
you
think it would be
possible for Mr. Stewart to make personal approach to Chou En Lai; and Mao Tse Tung?
ша
مة
As the British Mission in
Peking is working under
difficulties, we wondered whether it might be better if Mr. Stewart intervened personally, and made personal representations to the Conest Government. - And if Mr. Wilson also,
Kim has not been to school for two years since the cultural revolution began in August, 1966. He could be
intervened!
Eric has an old
unwell now.
we had
back injury caused by guitars when Lit was a
child :/ Both Eric and Marie, used to have stomach trouble at times, and it is possible that the strain they are under has brought it on again
Thank-you very much indeed.
With Best Wishes,
Yours sincerely,
А
A. Gordon, (Miss.)
Dear Sir
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 31
16 SEP 1968
Fai 142.
FE dept for that exply from
th. Rodgers, pl.
22, Westbourne Gardens,
Hove
Sussex, EN3. 5PP
28th. May, 1968.
gr 2015
81
We should be obliged if you could please be so kind as to let us know whether you have any news from China yet, of our son, Eric Gordon, his wife, Marie, and their son, Kim, aged twelve years.
We are very worried about them, and hope that they are not
ill.
We would be very grateful for any information you could
give of our son and his family.
Thank-you very much indeed. With all best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
A. Gordon. (Miss)
A. Gordon, (Miss),
EP. MR. & MRS. 3. GORDON, & FAMILY.
8
Mrs. Gordon + Mr. 3. Gorch + Familys
(Mrs. S. Gordon, and är. 3. Gordón, and Family.).
Kyply@
@ (35) / letter from W. Rodgers of
ह्ल
June)
Ra
a.
JOH
COMMONS
80
From: Hugh Jenkins. M.P.
HOUSE OF COMMONS
LONDON, S. W.1
FED
Dear Michael,
seei
14th September, 1968.
Mr Foley...mw16/9
I shall be grateful if you will give the
enclosed communication from Miss Anita Gordon of
22 Westbourne Gardens,
Hove, Sussex, BN3.5PP.
+++
....your attention
and send me a reply which I can forward to
my constituent.
Please acknowledge.
Hugh
re:
Detention by the Chinese of Eric
Gordon and his
family,
3M
H.C.918 (300063) 1 SM SLS.
5.31
1 7 SEP 1968
F9/42
+
ست
142/W.80
Dear Sir,
22, Westbourne -Gdus.
Hove
Suss
SUSSEX BN3.5pp.
9th September, 1968
My parents, sister, brothes in London, and myself, would be very grateful if you could possibly, please help, regarding my
brothu,
Eric Gordon, his wife Masid, and their twelve Year old son, Khem; who have been detained by the Chinese for eleven months.
We have written to our own M.Pd. Mu brother, Jeffrey, who lives in London, has been in touch with ur. J. Mendelson, M.P, who has a plan, and is waiting for other H.P.". to approach him. I will mention more about this plan, after I have given some details about Eric and his family.
The Foreign Office has asked the Chinese for information many times, but they have not, so far, received any reply. We know
:
I
1
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1
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2.
لسنة
the Foreign Office are
trying, (also thee British Mission in Peking; although they are
working under difficulties,), and we doing
all they can.
сам
My brother, fiftrey of Londen, has been to the Chinese Embassy several times, but he was not given any information.
on a
amy
We have not had a letter from my
brother, Eric, and his family, for cleven months, and they used to write regularly every week. -The last letter we received was dated, 28th October, 1967; and Eric said he would send the next letter from Hongkong, beforl getting on Cargo boat to return to England; but we did not receive letto. There must be something wrong for his lettos to stop so suddenly, after he had written so regularly Each week for nearly three year We are all very worried about them, (particularly mother, who is elderly, and
father, who is only partially sighted,), and hope that they are not ill. Although they probably have been, or may
be now.
J
|
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1
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3.
We are especially concerned about thein, who is only twelve years old. - Also, he will not have had any schooling since the cultural revolution began in August, 1966. Eric and Mariz, used to have stomach trouble at times, and the strain they ate under now may have brought it on again. Exic also old back injury, caused by a fall
child, which has always
has an
when he was a
troubled heim.
My brother Eric, with his wife and son, 1 - worst to liking to work, in February, 19655
A
-They were due to leave China to return to
England
about the 5th November, 1967, by Cargo boat from Hong kong, but they did not cross the border into thongkong, as ther
record of it. - The Foreign Office
ضا
JD
has looked into it.
Eric stayed, with his family at the Friendship Hostel in Peking. They have been in Peking for over
three years. Eric was a newspaper reporter in England.
g
am sure that
muy
brother, and his family,
!
I
-
-
would not break any of the Chinese laws and regulations.
My other brother, wr. Seffrey Gordre, who lives in London, has been in touch with, Mr. John Mandelion, M.P., for Penistone; who has
promised to take a pasonal interest in the whole matter. His success in putting pressure on the Chinese depends to a great extent the interest of other M.P., becouus E their support will strengthen any represenations be has the opportunity to make to the Chinese, or elsewhere.
on
a
In view of this, we would all be very grateful if you would approach Mr. John Mendelson, M.P., at the first opportunity,
so that
concerted plan of action be discussed. (We have all contacted wown My?".) Other members family and friends, are also contacting their MPs asking them to approach Mr. J. Claudelson, 41.6) in the same
======||
of
Way
ня
We
would all be very grateful if you could possibly, please, contact us. J. Mendelon, MP;
1
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who is waiting for other MP?" to approach him.
We would all be very grateful for, and really appreciate, your help in this matter. We are all British Subjects.
Mrs. Joyce Will, of Ayrshire, whose husband.. has also bee detained, is also asking Wer MP to contact Mr. 8. Mendelson.MP. Also another lady, of thoreham, Sussex, where brather has been detained, is asking her MP. to contact Mr. J. Mendelson.
We would all be glad to hear from you when you have the time.
I
such
am sorry to taker
long letter.
up your trine with
Thank you very much indeed. With Best Wishes.
Yours sincerely,
Anita Gordon. (Mis.)
+
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یک جیران
Hostel, who told a usmber of the British Mission in Peking that, Eric and his family with sssor one day at this Friendship's Hostel,
few weeks before. This report, is so unconfirmed, but the Foreign Office we doing their best to find corroborative evidence. - But the present atmosphere in Peking, makes
this sort difficult to follow up contacts of
L
- ast,
Eric and his family, did not cross the border into Hongkong,
as there is no
record of it` - The Foreign Office has looked units it.
+
:
+
HOUSE
OF
COMMONS
From: Stanley Orme, M.P.
(Salford West)
+
2
3. Far East
Myc Foley
mi
3ep ember 12, 1958.
RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES No. 31 16 SEP 1968
134
F¢
FC 1|42
89
Dear Fr. Stewart,
Mr. Orme has asked me to forward to
you the enclosed letter from Miss Anita Gordon of 22 Westbourne Gardens, Hove, who would like information as to the whereabouts of her brother and his family; Kr. Eric Gordon, his wife Karie and their twelve year old son Kim, which family have been detained by the
Chinese.
Would you please let Kr. Ome know if there is anything you can do to trace this family and if possible, advise Mr. Orme of our findings.
Yours sincerely,
Jant B. Gilson
Privat
Secretary
The Rt. Hon. Kichael Stewart,
.P.
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
79
W 79
LEO.
FCI |
Dear Sir,
+
22, Westbourne - Gdno.
#tove,
Sussex, BN3.5PP.
9th September, 1968.
My parents, siete, brother in London, and myself, would be very grateful if you could brother, possibly, please, help regarding my Coric Gordon, his wife Marie, and their twelve year old son, Keim, who have been detained by the Chinese for eleven months.
The Foreign Office has asked the Chinese about them several times; but they have not so for, received any reply. We benow the Foreign Office are trying, and have done their utmost. Also the British Mission in
Peking; - but they are working under difficulties.
My brother, Jeffrey Gordon, who lives in London, has visited the Chinese Embassy several times, but he was not given any information
We have not had a letter from my brother,
Mr Starnby Omne M. P.
#
+
+
+
4
[
Eric, and his family, for Eleven mouthes,
and they word to write regularly every week.- -The last litter we received from that was dated 24th October, 1967 Ema said he would write the next letter from Hongkong. before getting
Cargo boat to return to England; but we did not receive any letter. There must be something wrong for his letters to stop so suddenly like that, after he had written so regularly Each week for nearly three
ma
on
years. We are very worried about them, particularly mother, who is Elderly, and hope they are not ill. Although they probably have been ill, or may
be ill now.
We we expecially concerned about Kim, who is only twelve years old. - Also, we will not have had any schooling since the cultural revolution began in August,
1966. Eric and Marce, used to havs stomach trouble at times, and the strain they wh un
are under may have brought it on again. Eric also has an old buck injury caused by a fall when he was a
child,
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which always troubles him.
Eric, with his wife and son, went to Peking to work, in February, 1965, at The Foreign Languages Press
Press. He was due to Crave China, to return to England, on about the 5ts November, 1967, by Congo boat from Hongkong, but Eric and his family did not cross the border into Hongkong.
there is no record of it.
-The Foreign Office has looked into it
Eric stayed, with his family, at the Friendship's Hostel in Peking. They have been in Peking for over three years. Eric was a newspaper reporter in England. I am sure
brother, and his family, would not
the Chinese laws and
that
wy
break regulations.
any of
My other brother, who lives in London, has been in touch with Mr. John Mendelson, M.P. for Penistone; who has promised to take a personal interest in the whole matter. - His success in putting pressure depends to a great extent on other MPs, because their support will strengthen any representations he has the opportunity to
M
that Chiness the intrest 7
+
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make to the Chinese or clsewhere. In view of this, we would be very grateful if you could
approach Mr. f. Mendelso, MP. at the fist opportunity so that a concerted plan of action
be discussed. (We have contacted our own MP.". also) Other members of the family, and friends, are contacting their MPs asking them to approach Mr-9. Mendelson, MP. in the
We would all be very grateful
many
sament way.
if you could also possibly, please contact Mr. Mendelson, MP, who is waiting for other M.P.". to approach him.
brother,
We would all be very grateful for any
ive regarding my Eric, and his family. We are all
you could
help you
9
British Subjects.
you
We would all be glad to hear from
и оча
have the tint.
when y With Best Wishes
Thank-you very much indeed.
P.S. Un gryct
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Will, Argoshise, is aboo asking
also hi HP. to critact
Her. Manchelsa,MP. (Heshustand has also
Yours sincerely,
Anita Gorda (Miss)
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They was probably mistaken; as in fume this the Foreign Office received some evidence, - report from foreign resident of the Friendship Hostel, - who told a member of the British Mission in Peking that, Eric and his family were seem one day at the Friendship Hostel, a few weeks before. This report, is, so far, unconfirmed, but the Foreign Office are doing their best to find Corroborative evidence. But the present atmosphere in Peking makes contacts of this sont difficult to follow up.
case,
In
dry
Eric and his family did not cross the border into Hongkong,
as there is no record of it. The Foreign Office was looked with it.
1
1
+
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78
COMMONS
From Martin Maddan MP
1. 7 knowledg
2 semy of
Consula
eat.
to see
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 31
16 SEP 1968
seen FL1142
as not seen FC
rent fo10th September 1968
draft reply tron. Mn Coley
alise
and 12/9
Nichael Stewart
I have been approached again by my constituent, Miss A. Gordon of 22 Westbourne Gardens, Hove, Sussex, about her brother Eric his vife Marie and their 12 year old son Kim who have been detained by the Chinese for about 11 months.
She suggests that various MP's join together in a campaign to persuade you per- sonally to take up the case of her brother.
However, I know from long experience what care and concern the Foreign Office takes about our nationals who are in trouble in this way, and before committing myself to any pub- lic campaign, I would like your latest news and advice.
With every good wish,
Yowa
تلف
The Rt Hon Michael Stewart MP
Sec. of State for Foreign Affairs
Foreign Office
Downing Street London SW1
ウッ
DiD.
£612/9
+
77
11 Kapfember, 1988.
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 31
16 SEP 1968
F42
76,
Thank you for your letter of 26 August about your brother, Mr. Eric Gerden.
I have discussed the ease of your brother with my colleagues in Poking and in the Foreign Offies. Thile in Jaking, I made repeated requests to the chinese for information about him and for consular access to him; unfortunately without sucos01. There is therefore nothing I can add to what has been enid in letters you have received from Ministers in the Foreign Office. In present sireunstɑness in Feking it is exceedingly difficult to obtain any information about foreigners in iifficulties. The only people who night be in a position to help us in the case of your brother are his fellow-residents of the Friendship Bestel who working for the Chinese authorities; you will remember some time ago that we board a rumour that your brother had been seca, but were unable to confiîm it. Per obvious remecas, these employed by Chinese Government are reluctant to be seen to be too friendly with Diplomatie Missions, particularly sur in view of the present strained state of Sino-British relations,
I would be happy to see you, though I should not in fust be able to tell you say more than the above. If. nevertheless, you would like to make an appointment, please ring 930 8440, Extn. 143. I shall be going away on 19 September, so it would have to be before then er after ↳ Detober.
I am sorry I cannot be more encouraging. It mat have been a vary worrying time for you and your family.
Mr. Jeffrey Gordon,
71 Hertford Road,
East Finchley,
LONDON, IN.
(D. C. Hopsan)
WE'L 319433
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry No.
Letter
DRAFT
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
To:-
Top Secret.
Secrck
Confidential.
Restricted.
Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
Mr. Dewern
In Confidence
for fir D Hissom
who
yuré
the can of blunc
Type 1 +
From
Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, 71 Hertford Road East Finchley, N.2.
Sir D. Hopson
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
Thank you for your 16tter of 26 August
about your brother, Hr Eric Gordon.
I have liscussed the case of your brother
with my colleagues An Peking and in the
W
Pelering Foreign Office. Zive, of-e-urse made sex made
repeated requests to the Chinese for
hum for
g
information out and consular access to him;
un folliasidy Withal Shears
I am sure you are all tee awarË
Succese we Ave, had in extraOSTĘ There is myst
Unh epily 4 cm su nothing
what has bem sont m
hij
how 14ttle
com, and all to the
letter you home faanivad
's Jõu pavė, regelved from Ministers in
Blekut durchmer↑ams in
the Foreign Office. In Feking it is
daeredibly difficult to obtain any information in dificulta
Петиции
end your brotherle
De ma postm
E-
The
палась рейок
The onl
to help w
-us/org his ellow-residents of
Who old working for the Chrmansy
Wothing the Friendship Hostel; you will remember soxé
time ago that we heard a rumour that your
brother had been seat, but were unable to
for téxtor óbvium teasm, those confirm it. It is, of Mom Se very 111-
m
gdvised or foretre employees or the Chinese
se serie Taul
Government/to be seen to be too friendly with
no R p Missions particularly our own, in the
preser:t-atmosphere of suspicion MINI- 3
* strained
Sino-British relations.
Time in England were a9
to haya
relaxing as you hope! In fact there que an
incredible number of jobs to be done after
such a long absence and fear that it would be
very difficult to arrange a meeting,
15
Tuzcure
I can
assure you
YOU, however, that every effort is being
made to discover what has become of your
brother Eric and wis family, and that his
possible detention
subjects in China
-
-
and that of other British
remains a matter
highest priority.
Sel
I would be happen to
you, though I
у на
Should not in four be able to tell
you may move
than the above.
If nevertheles
you
i would like
to
make an appont mar
please ring
1
Whitehall 8440 Lxrn 143
I Shall be going cavay
So A would have to
198 Syprowls,
be before then
or at the beginning after in Ornote.
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encouraging.
나
t
Musi
Land
be
har tem
Awave
a very
Det fik for you are your
119% warrying time
fanny
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Perdings
76
third Hops Thy HERTFORD ROAD
•TUD OF 8697
น or
7
RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES No.31
16 SEP 1968
FC 1142
EAST FINCHLEY LONDON, N. 2.
26. 8. 68.
Dear Sing shall be glad f
allow
me
to
discuss with
if you
will
you,
at the
in
earliest possible time, the circumstances
surrounding the detention
brother ERIC
China
GORDON, his
KIM.
Lipe MARIE, and their son
"The four parents concerned
wife
and relatives
مه
are
how d
desperate with anxiety' the Gordons in Peking
it is nearly eleven months heard of,
last
S
a
have
σε
from.
do hope you
are
time noto that
relaxing time
were
having
you
returned to England. Your sincerely,
Jeffrey Gordon
yogaffrey
(JEFFREY GORDON
चीप
Private Secretáry Secretary
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 31
16 SEP 1968
FC 1/42
38
Flag A
Flag B Flag 7 and
30
Flags E3 E and
Mr. Eric Gordon
I attach draft replies to letters from Mr. Jeffrey Gordon
to the Prime Minister and to the Secretary of State.
Mr. Gordon is the brother of Mr. Eric Gordon, whose case is
described fully in my submissions of 1 and 28 Kay. There have
been no developments since then.
2. I recommend that the letter to the Secretary of State should
be answered at a lower level. Mr. J. Gordon is in constant
touch with Far Eastern Department, who have informed him of
any news we have had. He and other members of his family bave
written to a large number of public figures, including several
M.P.s, the Lord Soper, the National Union of Journalists and the
Board of Deputies of British Jews. Letters have gone directly
from Kr. Roberts on 7 May, Mr. Rodgers on 14 June and Mr. Foley
on 31 July. The tone of Mr. Gordon's last letter is somewhat
truculent, and I think that our reply should remind him of the
considerable efforts which have been made on his brother's
behalf. (The Gordon family might occasionally bear in mind
that Mr. Eric Gordon should have known the risks he was running
when he decided to become a paid hack of the Chinese Government
helping them to peddle propaganda highly laudatory of the
Chinese régime and highly critical of the society to which his
family would now like to welcome him back.)
Este apa for
Huery.
Jon Wilming
(James Hurray)
9 September, 1968.
F1/42.
FOREIGN OFFICE,
J.V.1.
11 September, 1968.
174+
G4
The Foreign Secretary has asked me to reply to your letter of 28 August about your brother, Ir. Erie Gordon.
in
It is distressing that you should find the Foreign Office's approach somewhat cool. A personal approach of
type you suggest me in fast made by Mr. George Brom, than Foreign Secretary, who sent a letter to Chan Ti, Chinese Foreign Minister, on 31 August 1967, in the hope that this might bring about some improvement in Jino- British relations. This was, you will recall, just over a wook after ou Xission was barat, So far, we have received no reply, and there is no reason to suppose that a further personal approach would be sny mere successful.
dar
fe were informed of the possible disappearance of your brother on 3 February, some three months after regular hree months after regular correspondenos with him esused. ▲ note was delivered to the Chinese Poreign Ministry the next day seeking information about hin. A further note was sent on 3 Hay, and since then regular representations have been made both here and in Faking, the latest being on 6 September when the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State summoned the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires. fhat little sovs we have been able to discover we have passed izmediately to you. We have been in close touch with several members of your family and have passed to the Chinese a message for Mr. Arie Gordon from your sister, Hiss Anita Gordon.
I am very sorry if you feel that not enough interest has been taken in this case. I can assure you, however, that we have treated the issue of British subjects in China as a matter of the very greatest urgency and seriousness, and shall continue to do so. There are, however, very few possible ways of putting pressure on the Chimane. fe are very conscious, that if we were to attempt retaliatáry measures against the Chinese, this might only increase the difficulties for British subjects in China.
seat toward 11/9
Jeffrey Gerdon,
71 Hertford Road,
East Finchley,
LONDON, 1.2?
(James HurrRY)
Head, Far Eastern Department Awe
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
BIER TOWĄ
Registry 42+ DRAFT
Fa/42
No.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret Secret Confidential Restricted. Unclassifies
PRIVACY MARKING
To:-
Letter
Type 1 +
r. Jeffrey Gordon,
71 Hertford Road,
From
Mr. James Murray
Telephone No. & Ext
Department
East Finchley, N.2.
Far Eastern
"In Confidence
74
The Foreign Secretary has asked me to reply
to your letter of 28 August about your brother,
Hr. Eric Gordon.
?
It is distressing that you should find the
Foreign Office's approach somewhat cool. A
personal approach of the type you suggest was
in fact made by Er. George Brown, the then
Foreign Secretary, who sent a letter to Chen Ti,
the Chinese Foreign Minister on 31 August 1967,
n the hope that this/might bring about some
Improvement in Sino-British relations.
This was.
You will recall, just over a week after our
Zission was burnt. So far, we have received no
reply, and there is no reason to suppose that a
Further personal pproach would be any more
successful.
Approach
Te were informed of the possible
isappearance of your brother on 3 February, sone
three contha after regular correspondence with
his ceased. A note was delievered to the
Chinese Foreign Ministry the next day seeking
Information about him. A further note was gent
on 3 May, and since then regular representations
have been made both here and in Peking, the lates!
being on 6 September when the Parliamentary Under-
Beoretury of State summoned the Chinese Chargé
d'Affaires. What little news we have been able
/to
to discover we have passed immediately to you.
We have been in close touch with several
members of your family and have passed to the Chinese a message for Vr.Eric Gordon from your
sister, Miss Anita Gordón.
I am very sorry át you feel that not
enough interest has been taken in this case,
I can assure you,/however, that we have treated
the issue of British subjects in China as a
matter of the very greatest urgency and
seriousness,/und shall continue to do so.
There are, however, very few possible ways of
putting pressure on the Chinese.
We are very
conscious, that if we were to attempt
lia-
tory fasures against the Chinese, this might
only increase the difficulties for British
subjects in China.
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
de cost.
22. Westbourne - Gdus.
Hove,
Sussex, BN3.5PP.
Saf.
2=" Septembo, 1968.
73
10 Suzy
Dear Sir,
Thank you very much for your
last letter.
Thank you very much indred ofor
sending my British Chargé d'Affaires in Peking, to be handed to the Chinese, in the hope that it will be delivered to brother
other's letter to the
چرا
Thank you very much.
RECEIVED IN APVES No.31
i - SEP 368
Fa/42
to ung
Yours sincerely,
A. Gordon. (Miss.)
Få Dagen-
ра
for advice wrappe
+
(2
71 HERTFORD ROAD RECEIVED INEAST
INEAST FINCHLEY
LONDON, N.2.
ARCHIVES No. 31
TUDor 8697
12 SEP 1968
Dear Sir,
21/42
It
is
montho
since
my
now
28.8. 1968
almost eleven
brother ERIC GORDON, and their son KIM,
his wife MARIE
last head of
were
China.
of or from in Peking, relatues, and many
friends
a e
Somewhat
Their
pavents,
extremely perturbed at the cool approach of the approm perturbed
с
"Foreign Office to the Chinese
uch
مفته
loth in Peking and the
Chinese Legation in London
We
time has
to
all strongly feel that the
come
approach by part
you
personal
the Prime Minister
park in Peking.
would be kind enough
to
Perhaps you
to treat the whole matter with extreme
urgency.
Jeffrey Gord
dom
sincess
(JEFFREY GORDONG Jeffrey
1
RECEIVED IN ¡ARCHIVES No.31
- 9 SEP 1968
Fel/42
Foreign Office
コ
S.W.1
5 September, 1968.
Thank you for your letter of 29 August about Mr. Eric Gordon who is believed to be in detention in China.
Unfortunately there is nothing I can add at the moment to what Mr. Foley said in his letter to Mrs. Thatcher of 29 July.
We have
had no confirmation of the rumour that Mr. Gordon had been seen in the Friendship Hostel.
Sir Donald Hopson was unable to throw any further light on the little we already know about the Gordons. I am afraid that I can only emphasise the difficulty of obtaining any infor mation of any kind in Peking, owing to the unco- operativeness of the Chinese and the understandable fear of private foreign persons to involve themselves with the diplomatic missions of countries, such as Britain, which do not enjoy good relations with China.
If we do hear any news, Mr. Foley will of course let Mrs. Thatcher know immediately.
(L.M. Deas)
Private Secretary to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary
Mrs. Eileen L. Wright,
Acting Private Secretary to
Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, M.P.,
House of Commons,
S.W.1.
ра пла
WER BURD
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
기
Registry F1/2+2 DRAFT
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret. Secret
Confidential.
Restricted. Unchassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
To:-
Letter
Ers. Eileen L. Hright, Acting Private Secretary to Mrs. Margaret
Thatcher, M.P.,
House of Commons.
Type 1 +
From
Miss Deas
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
In Confidence
Thank you for your letter of 29 August
about Mr. Eric Gordon who is believed to be in
detention in China.
Unfortunately there is nothing I can add at
the moment to what Mr. Foley said in his letter
to Mrs. Thatcher of 29 July. We have had no
confirmation of the rumour that Er. Gordon had
been seen in the Friendship Hostel.
x. Sir Donald Hopson was able to throw any
further light on the little we already know about
the Gordons. I am afraid that I can only
emphasise the difficulty of obtaining any
information of any kind in Peking, owing to the
unco-operativeness of the Chinese and the
understandable fear of private foreign persons to
involve themselves with the diplomatic missions
of countries, such as Britain, which do not enjoy
good relations with China,
4.
If we do hear any news, Kr. Foley will of
Course let Hra. Thatcher know immediately.
WOL IN7434
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry No.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
To:-
Top Secret
Secret.
Confidential.
Restricted. Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
In Coulders
DRAFT Letter
Mrs. Eileen L. right,
Acting Private Secretary
to rs. Margaret
Thatcher, M.P.,
House of Commons.
Type 1 +
From
Miss Dees
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
und Wirrandatsh вете feat A buvare Ванны работо
to muhu
Thumschung with The diplomatic
Comtvis
1
humm h
Boutons whench
mor enjoy good
Jutri unÁ
M
eiter
Thank you for your letter of 29 August
about Mr. Eric Gordon who is believed to be in
detention in China
2.
Unfortunately there is nothing
I can
add at
the moment to what Mr. Foley said in his letter
to Mrs. Thatcher of 29 July. we have had no
confirmation of the rumour that Mr. Gordon
had been seen in the Friendship Hostel.
J.
How
lead
Sir Donald Hopson was unable to to my fither light on the Vlittle fe already know about the Gordons
am afraid that I can only emphasise the
difficulty of obtaining any information at Rim
cult
Owning to the unco-operativ in Feking, RTMm Cummer and
the s
4.
of course.
If we do hear any news, Hr. Foley will let
Kfz. Thatcher know immediately.
419
UNCLASSIFIED
Visa Teas
Mr. Eric Gordon
RELLIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
1 1 SEP 1968
चि
Fe1 / 42
I attach a draft reply to a letter from Mrs. Margaret
Thatcher, M.P.'s Private Secretary.
Flag AG
2.
Kr. Foley wrote to Mrs. Thatcher on 29 July.
The
Flag B(7) background to the case is in Mr. Murray's submissions of 1 May Flag C) and 28 May. There have been no developments since then.
Am Denson
(J. B. Denson) 4 September, 1968
Miss Dean
UNCLASSIFIED
F4/42.0-70.
Mr. Erie Gordon
I attach a draft reply to a letter from Ers, Margaret
Thatcher, M.P.'a Private Secretary,
The
2. Mr. Foley wrote to Ers, Thatcher on 29 July. background to the case is in Mr. Murray's submissions of 1 May
There have been no developmenta since then.
Flag A
Flag B
Flag O
and 28 May.
(J. B. Benson) ↳ September, 1958
י
Miss Doan
UNDEL GIFTED
Ir. arie Gorden
I attach a draft reply to a letter from Mrs. Hargaret
Thatcher, M.P.'s Private Secretary.
Flag A
Flag B
Plag C
2. Ir. Foley wrote to ära, Thatcher on 29 July. The
backgroud to the case is in Kr. Havay's wubmissions of 1 Muy
and 28 May. There have been no developments since then,
(J. M. Danson) 4 September, 1968
Flag A
Flog B
Flag O
SINTED
Kc. Brie Oords
Y attach a draft reply to a letter from Era, Kargeret
Thatcher, I.P.'s Private Secretary.
2. Er. Pelay wrote to Mrs. Thatcher on 29 July.
background to the case is in Kr. Vurray's submissions of 1 May
and 28 May, There have been ne developments since then..
(J. B. Denson) 4 September, 1968
WIBIL 51-743
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry No.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret.
Secret.
Confidential,
Restricted. Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
In Cundanc
DRAFT
Submission
Type 1 +
To:->
Kiss Deas
From
Mr. Denson
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
Flag A
Flags B and C
Mr. Eric Gordon
I attach a draft reply to a letter from
Krs, Margaret Thatcher, M.P.'s Private
Secretary.
2. Kr. Poldy wrote to Mrs. Thatcher on
29 July. The background to the case is in
Mr. Murray's submissions of 1 May and 28 Kay.
There have been no developments since then.
RECEIVED IN
•..CHIVES No. 31 10 SEP 1968
Fa/42
Mr. Deny
Reference....
Mr. Eric Gordan
I attach a
F/4.2.
Fr
daft aply
imevitably of a stalling nature
to
a letter from Mr. Mayart Thatcher, M.P.'s Private Revetay, and
brief daft covering minute.
Mark A. Hall
4/9.
Jom Jessu
4
K
Kote No. 119
Fel/42
·
68
The Office of the British Chargé d'Affaires present their compliments to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, and have the honour to refer to their Notes ummbered 76 and 85 of the 24th of June and the 4th of July, 1968, uh oh requested confirmation of the reported arrest of Mr. Eric Gordon and his family, details of any charges brought
against them and insediate consular access to them,
The office of the British Chargể d'Affaires have so far received no reply to the above mentioned Notes. They again urgently request the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to furnish the information requested on the above British subjects and to permit
immediate consular access to them.
The Office of the British Chargé d'Affaires avail themselves of this opportunity to renew to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China the assurance of their highest co: aideration.
Office of the British Chargé d'artai ros, PACING
17 August, 1968
DE
HOUSE
OF
COMMONS
Michael,
!
L
3.
Sen. 5, 19
+
Howieds
RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES No.31
- 9 SEP 1968
F1/42
το
has not seéh
6
F. E of State Consula Department for
se reply from ...MR foley. new
I am writing on behalf of my constituent, Mrs. Warrawi of 18, Thirlmere, Cumberland Terrien Market, N.W.1. Mrs. Trewi, whose letter I enclose, is very worried about her daughter, Merie Gordon and her family. I understand that Mr. and Mrs. Cordon and their twelve voar old son left Peking for England in October 1967 and have not been heard of since.
↑ GA- T
that other M. Pa have been in touch with you and I anlarise for "ny dunlicetion of work. But I certainly understand mar constituent's opxiatu end I hene that it is now "ossible for further information to be obtained.
Yours sincerely,
Sena
Tena M.Jezer
Rt. Hon. M. Stewart.
LANT
REF
REA
REF.
93
+
18 THIRLMERE FLATS CUMBERLAND MARKET OFF ALBANY ST.
Dear Mrs.
Jaeger,
9
am
i
the hope that
to
MARIE
MAR
11
trace
LONDON N.W. I.
31. 8. 68.
writing to you will help
you Laughter
GORDON, he husband ERIC,
my ste grandson KIM (aged 12). whote.
at the end of October, 1967, from Peking, that
set
about to
parod
for England. Since then
them.
mouths, nothing has been
from this brother,
ivere
of
elemen
heard
of
JEFFREY touch but
My
son
SUCCESD
GORDON, is in
with
constant
MJJ
the Foreign Office, for detarmthing daughter,
they have hand
in
whereabouts of my
the
+
:
+
grandson:
daughte's M.P., Mr. Ben and Ms. Margaret Thatcher,
Q.m
mada
routrie
the House of Commons, but I
all satisfied with the
in - how,
My
السمو
and
whit aber, have
engine on tim
at all
معهود
cool
altitude
and
daughter's safety,
very
of the Foreign worried about my
son~
Would
Offfice to the whole matter.
and
laws, my grandchild
the Prime Min you please insist that
will
and the Foreign
Ade case.
Secretary personally take
fully question wint MR. JOHN
I who
knows the full story.
shall be glad if
discuss the whole you
C
MENDELSON
Your very sincerely
(MRS, W. WARAN) mas W. Waraur
Land brother lives at
P.S. My 7, HERTFORD RD., N. 2. (TUD. 8697). He can
וד
quickly piras
:
I
:
HOUSE
OF
COMMONS
RECEIVED IN ARCHIV-› No.31
30 AUG 1968
• FC 1142
19th August 1968
Rer and Ack. 29.8. DE. Coment Է
for draft reply please.
Dear Private Secretary,
Mr. Foley wrote to Mrs. Thatcher on the 29th July about Mr. Eric Gordon who is believed to be in detention in China.
Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, brother of Mr. Eric Gordon, has written again to Mrs. Thatcher and asked if there is not some way of getting news of him and his family.
You will remember Mr. Foley said that there had been a report that Mr. Eric Gordon and his family had been seen and the Foreign Office was trying to confirm it.
Is it at all possible that Sir Donald Hopson may have news of the family? I know Mrs. Thatcher would be most grateful if Mr. Foley could write to her in due course with any further information. She is out of London for the next week or so and that is why I am writing on her behalf.
Yours sincerely,
Gillen Z. Wright Acting Private Secretary mes)
To Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, M.P.
The Private Secretary to Maurice Foley, Esq., M.P.
(66)
(FC 1/42)
D. in F. Div.
44 28/8.
Foreign Office, S.K.1.
23 August, 1968.
(65)
I do know of the Eric Gordon case.
A dozen or so letters in a similar vein from Mrs. Gordon and her sons and daughters have been received in the Office through the medium of numerous dignitaries including a number of Keabers of Parliament. There is unfortunately very little to add to the facts as stated by Mrs. Gordon.
The only information of any sort we have is a report from a foreign resident of the Friendship Hostel in Peking who told a member of our Mission that Mr. Eric Gordon and his family reappeared there some weeks ago for about a day, apparently under no form of restriction. We have done our best to corroborate this report but in the present atmosphere in Peking contacts of this sort are difficult to follow up.
Mr. Gordon was employed by the Chinese Government, and had virtually no contact with the Mission. The Office are in very close touch with Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, Mr. Gordon's brother, and will tell him as so n as any news is received. The usual protests and demands for access and information are being made of course, both here and in Peking, but have so far extracted no response. Mrs. Gordon is familiar with all thie information.
There is, therefore very little to tell your friend. I wish there were more. I am enclosing the documents as requested.
Robin Cliver, Esq.,
23 Gledhow Gardens,
8.W.5.
(F. Brewer)
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
GENTIS MUDAA
23/12
Registry
No.
DRAFT Letter
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
To:-
Top Secret.
Secret
Confidential.
Restricted. Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confiden
Robin Oliver, Esq.,
23 Gdedhow Gardens, London, 3.W.5.
Type 1 +
рв
F.
From
Mr. Brewer
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
I di kaow of the Eric Gordon care. At
I am afraid we love received got
of So
fera dozen letters in a similar vein from
Shows been receval in
A
Office
Mrs. Gordon and her sons and daughters which the through the veeduino A qumato_us-from, numerous dignitaries includifig
a number of H.P.a
There is very little to
add to the facts as stated by Krs. Gordon.
The only information of any sort we have is
a report from a foreign resident of the
Friendship Hostel in Peking who told a member
of our Mission that Er. Eric Gordon and his
family reappeared there some weeks ago for
about a dey, apparently under no form of
restriction.
We have one our best to
corroborate this report but in the present
atmosphere in Peking contacts of this sort
are difficult to follow up.
Jur. Gordon was employed by the Chinese
Government, and had virtually no contact with
The Office
the Mission.
are in very close touch with
Kr, Jeffrey Gordon, Mr. Gordon's brother, and will
aug desi cewed.
aball tell him as soon as we receive any nOWG,
ef course_making the usual protests
Cam basing winds of comme
and demands for access and information, both
but
here and in Peking, and have so far extracted
no response. Mrs. Gordon is familiar with all
this information.
tovec, decayfore, very
"There were curre
little & tell gaus
V
friend. I wish there
he
an luxclosing
documents as requested.
B
22/0/68
Fc42
FOREIGN OFFICE, 8.V.1
21st August, 1968
64
63
Thank you for your letter of 12th August with which you enclosed a short note from your parents to your brother in China.
I shall be sending your parents' letter to the Office of the British Chargé d'Affaires in Peking by our next diplomatic bag; and I am asking them to hand it to the Chinese authorities with the request that it be delivered to your brother.
You will know only too well from the previous letters you have received from the Foreign Office and no doubt from your brother, who keeps in regular touch by telephone with my department, about the difficulties of our Mission in Peking. I can only promise therefore that they will hand the letter to the Chinese. We have no guarantee unfortunately that the Chinese will deliver it, nor even that they will tell us whether or not they are going to. If by any chance the Mission was at last able to see your brother," they would of course deliver the massage from your parente personally.
I can assure you that our Kission are continuing regularly to approach the Chinese for information about your brother and that as soon as we receive any information,
shall let you know.
Kiss Ann Gordon,
22 Westbourne Gardens,
Here,
Šustez, 193 5PP.
ве
(James Murray)
(Far Eastern Department)
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
EINE LEIAA
Registry No.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret.
Secret.
Confidential.
Restricted.
Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
In Conflé
DRAFT Letter
Ta:
Miss A. Gordon,
22 Westbourne Gardens,
Hove,
Sussex, EN3 5PP.
Type 1 +
From
Mr. Murray
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
and I www
asking there to
Laund it
If by any chaney
the Thesion woun
last ath to se
your butthes. Kepy would of courofe deliver the assage from your ponents
personally
adj
23
Thank you for your letter of 12 August
with which you enclosed a short note from
your parents/to your brother in China.
I shall be sending your parents' letter
to the office of the British Chargé d'Affaires
in Peking by our next diplomatic bag; witha
request that it be handed to the Chinese
with the request that
authorities who will of the same time be
to your brother asiya te orrange for it to be deliveredf
You will ungezetend only too well from
the previous letters you have received from
the Foreign Office and no doubt from your
brother, who keeps in regular touch by telephone
with my department, of the difficulties of our
Mission in Peking. I can only promise
therefore that they will hand the letter to
the Chinese. We have no guarantee
unfortunately that the Chinese will deliver it
nor even that they will tell us whether or not
they are going to.
I can assure you however that our Mission
are continuing regularly to approach the
Chinese for information about or your brother
and that as soon as we receive any information
shutt
I will let you know.
And
21 Any.
!
:
!
...... kurray
Reference FC 114.2 11.63.
In her letter (attached) Miss Ann Gordon asked that we send a letter from her parents to her brother, which she enclosed, to Peking and try to persuade the Chinese to deliver it to her brother.
2.
I have forwarded the appropriate letter to Peking with a covering note and attach a draft reply from you to Miss Gordon.
(E. J. Sharland) 20 August, 1968.
TheBank
zon.
la
22, Westbourne Gardens,
15
63
Hove,
K
Sussex, BN3 5PP.
12th. August, 1958.
ARCHIVES No.3 1
¡ 23 AUG 1968
FC+ |42
Dear Sir,
I am writing about my brother, Eric Gordon, and his family, who are being detained in China.
In July I wrote to The Foreign office, (and received a reply from Mr. M. Foley) to ask whether a message could be given to my brother, when someone from the British Mission in Peking, is allowed to see him, The message was that: "Mother and all other relations are in good health, also Marie's relatives are in good health; and that we hope that they are in good health. Regards from all relatives and friends."
1
Eric will be anxious about mother and how she is taking all this,- as she is a worrier and afraid that she has made herself ill worrying about him. Fric must be under enough strain without having to worry about mother as well. As it happens mother is in good health. We have all kept telling her that Eric and his family would not be harmed by the Chinese; (and this has helped her) although we could not be sure, but Mr. Grey seemed to be alright, as far as we could tell.
Mr. Foley replied, saying "we have asked the British Charge d'Affairs in Peking to transmit your message to your brother and his family, if he is allowed to visit them. I would suggest, however, that you yourself write a letter, and send it to Far Eastern Dept. in the Foreign Office. We would then forward it to Peking, and the British Charge d'Affairs would try to have it delivered to your brother at such time as any information became available about his whereabouts."
I have enclosed a brief, open letter, written by mother, just saying that she hopes that they are in good health, and that she, and the rest of us are fine. And that Marie's relatives are all well.And that she hopes to see them soon.
If mother'a letter could be sent on to Peking for the British Charge d'Affairs to have delivered to Eric,-or read to him,-if and when someone from the British Mission in Peking is allowed by the Chinese to see him, we would all be very grateful.
Ре
O
Thank-you very much indeed.
Yours sincerely,
A Gordon. MISS)•
A. Gordon. (Miss).
יח
CONFIDENTIAL
FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.1.
Din D16
248 HB
FC
114
19 August, 1968.
We have received the enclosed open note to Eric Gordon and his family from his sister acting on behalf of his elderly parents, We have agreed that we will ask you to pass the letter to the Chinese authorities with a request that it be delivered to his but have warned Miss Gordon that we can neituer guarentee delivery nor a straight answer from the Chinese as to whether or not the letter will in fact be delivered. We have of course said that you continue to make regular representations to the Chinese on Mr. Gordon's behalf. You will no doubt let us know as soon as you have anything to report.
R. R. Garside, Esq.,
PEKINO.
(E. J. Sharland) Far Eastern Department
CONFIDENTIAL
62
Ed (1626)
i
60
2
Reference...
M. Boyd. FE·D
Сие брове
·RECEIVED IN..
ARCHIVES No 31
16 AUG 1968 1
Fe1/42
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Marti A. Hull 19/8
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Later issued & exclonics at (60) attachés,
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MMA
23 Gledhow Gardens
London, S.W.5
12 August 1968
во
Dear Frank,
I do apologise for bothering you with the enclosed, but should be so grateful if you could spone a moment for them.
They are copies of letters sent to the Pre- sident of a society for the blind who is also an old friend of my family's.
She thinks I am still in the Office. In a covering letter to me she writes:-
"I feel sure that all possible enquiries
have already been made by the Foreign Office and have proved fruitless. But I thought there might be just a chance that you would be in the way of knowing whether anything further could still be done - or any sort of hope held out to Mrs.Gordon.
I should be so grate- ful if you could give any advice, even if it has to be of a negative kind".
Since the writer of these lines is an ex- tra nice person I should like to be able to say something to her, not necessarily for repetition to hrs.Gordon. of this case? guidance you can offer.
Do you by any chance know I should be very glad of any
May I have the enclosures back some time?
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
1 6 AUG 1968
F4/142
Tamo
opologetically
Robin Oliver
F2 1/42.
67
59
12 August, 1968.
RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES N. 31
1 4 AUG 1968
Fa1142
Thank you for your letter of 4 August to Coronwy Hoberts, about Mr. Eric Gordon.
I am afraid that there is little we can add to the facts as set out in your letter. Kr. Gordon worked in the Foreign LarguagOB Fress in i øking, and lived in the Friendship Hostel, a hostel for foreigners, most of whom are employed by the Chinese Government. Neither he nor his family were ever in touch with our Nission in leking, and it was in consequence particularly difficult for us to find out anything about them when we received information that they had disappeared. Moreover, the Mission, as you will bə ɛware, has been working under considerable difficulties. we have, however, done all that we could to obtain information about the Gordons. The Chargé d'Affaires has ande formal approaches to the Chinese authorities in reking regularly since 3 February, and the Mission have telephoned
Sir Barnett Jamar, M.P.,
The Board of Deputies of British Jews,
Woburn House,
Upper Woburn Place,
London, .C.1.
/ the
enter & pa
мара
13/8
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs weekly in efforts to find whether the Gordons are in fact under detention. Bill Rodgers, when he was Parliamentary Under-Secretary, also pressed for information from the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires ad interim in London. Unfortunately, the Chinese have so far not responded to any of these approaches.
The only information of any sort we have is a report from a foreign resident of the Friendship Hostel, who told a momber of our Mission that Kr. Fric Gordon and his family reappeared there some weeks ago for about a day, apparently under no form of restriction. We have done our best to
obtain corroboration of this report, but in the present atmosphere in Peking, contacts of this sort are difficult to follow up.
I am corry that we have not more to tell you, but I am sure you understand the problems which we face.
( CHALFONT )
Registry No.
FC 1/42 ·
DRAFT Letter
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
To:
Top Secret,
Secret.
Confidential.
Restricted. Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
Ja Confiden
Sir Barnett Janner, H.P. The Board of Deputies of British Jewe,
Woburn House,
Upper Woburn Place, W,C.1
Thank
Type 1 +
From
Lord Chalfont.
Telephone No. & Ext.
Туроб Aurel Laugh
you for
Department
[I am reptring to your letter fear/eg] of
4th August to Goronwy Roberts, about Mr.
Eric Gordon.
I am
afraid that
There is little we can add to the facts
as set out in your letter. Mr. [Brig Gordon
worked in the Foreign Languages Press in
Peking, and lived in the Friendship Hoetel,
a hostel for foreigners, most of whom are
employed by the Chinese Government.
Feither
he nor his family were ever in touch with our
Mission in Peking, and it was in consequence
particularly difficult for us to find out
anything about them when we received informa-
tion that they had disappeared. Moreover,
the Mission, as you will be aware, has been
working under considerable difficulties.
have, however, done all that we could to
obtain information about the Gordone. The
Chargé d'Affaires has made formal approaches
to the Chinese authorities in Peking regularly
since 3rd February, and the Mission have
telephoned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
We
weekly in efforts to find whether the Gordons
are in fact under detention.
Bill Rodgers,
../ when he was
WEBL S1-743
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
e
when he was Parliamentary Under-Secretary, also
pressed for information from the Chinese
Chargé d'Affaires ad interim in London.
Unfortunately, the Chinese have so far not
responded to any of these approaches.
The only information of any sort we have
is a report from a foreign resident of the
Friendship Hostel, who told a member of our
Mission that Mr. Eric Gordon and his family
reappeared there some weeks ago for about a
day, apparently under no form of restriction.
We have done our best to obtain corroboration
of this report, but in the present atmosphere
in Peking, contacts of this sort are difficult
to follow up.
I am sorry that we have not more to tell
you, but I am sure you understand the problems
which we face.
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Mr. M.L. Tait
MR. ERIC GORDON AND HIS FAMILY
58
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
1 4 AUG 1968
F42
Fello
I attach a draft reply to a letter from Sir Barnett Janner, M.P., to Mr. Roberta, about FLAG A57 Mr. Eric Gordon and his family whom we believe
to be detained in China.
2. The draft follows closely the terms of
FLAGS B4 letters sent by Mr. Foley to Mrs. Margaret Thatcher,
M.P., and Hr. Ben Whitaker, M.P.
& C
FLAGS & E
n
3. The background of the case is covered in my submissions of 1 May and 28 May. no developments since then.
There have been
г
Janne Umary
(James Murray)
12 August, 1968
P.a. Seef59
Telephone: 01-387 3952
Telegrams: Deputies, London, W.C.1
$7
THE LONDON COMMITTEE OF DEPUTIES OF THE BRITISH JEWS
generally known as
THE BOARD OF DEPUTIES OF BRITISH JEWS
President:
Alderman MICHAEL M. FIDLER, J.P.
Vice-Presidents:
SIR SAMUEL FISHER, J.P. VICTOR MISHCON, DL.
Treasurer:
HARRY LANDY, J.P.
Secretary:
ABRAHAM J. MARKS
seen. CONSULAR..... Dept.
1/nas not
for advice and draft reply
WOBURN HOUSE.
UPPER WOBURN PLACE,
LONDON, W.C.1.
from fees,
Lord Chalfont.
The Riakon
used so-The-Scerty.
4th August, 1968 car/eg
}
Goronwy Roberts,
.P.,
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs,
The Foreign Office,
Jowning Street,
Londen, S.1.1.
م
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES Ne.31
- 7 AUG 1968
Fa/42
The Board has been approached by the relatives of a family missing either in China, or en route from China, I understand that the relatives have been in touch themselves with the Foreign Office and with the Chinese Embassy here, but in view of the seriousness of the matter I felt I should approach you on it,
The following are the details we have been given:- Hames of persons missing:
Nationality:
Residence in China:
Employment there:
Address there:
Last communication received:
Mr. Eric Gordon, his wife Marie, and their son Kim (aged 12)
British
Since February 1965
With the Foreign Language Press, English Section Friendship Hotel, Peking
Dated 23th November 1967, in which Mr. Eric Gordon wrote that they were due to leave Peking on or about 5th November 1967, in order to travel back to England by Cargo Boat via Hong Kong. He stated that he would be writing again from Hong Kong, but no further letter or information has been received since the above letter.
..../2
-2-
tive who approached
the Board:
Miss A. Gordon,
22 Westbourne Gardens, Hove, Sussex,
I need not tell you how distressed the relatives here are about the matter, and should be most grateful for any information you are able to obtain.
Sir Barnett Janner, H.P. Chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee
Fe 1/42
From The Parlamentary Under-Secretary of State
Foreign Office
London SW1
29 July, 1968.
+
Dean Nagant Thatcher
Fred Mulley has asked me to reply to your letter of 17 July about Mr. Eric Gordon, whom we believe may be in detention in China. I am returning the correspondence you enclosed. We have retained copies for our files.
I am afraid that there is little information that we can give you about the Gordons We are in constant touch with Mr Gordon's brother, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, and my colleagues in the Foreign Office have written to his mother and father, and to other members of his family who are already aware of all the information in this letter.
The facts are as Mr. Jeffrey Gordon describes them. Mr. Eric Gordon worked in the Foreign Languages Press in Peking, and lived in the Friendship Hostel, a hostel for foreigners most of whom are employed by the Chinese Government. Neither he nor his family were ever in touch with our Mission in Peking and it was consequently diffi- cult for us to find out anything about them when we received information that they had disappeared. Moreover, the Mission as you will be aware, is now working under considerable difficulties. We have, however, done all that we could to obtain information about the Gordons. The Charge d'Affaires has made formal approaches to the Chinese authorities in Peking regularly since 3 February, and the Mission have telephoned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs weekly in efforts to find whether the Gordons are in fact under detention. Bill Rodgers, when he was Parliamentary Under-Secretary, also pressed for information from the Chinese Charge d'Affaires ad interim in London. Unfortunately, the Chinese have so far not responded to any of these approaches.
The only information of any sort we have is a report from a foreign resident of the Friendship Hostel, who told a member of our Mission that Mr. Eric Gordon and his family reappeared there come weeks ago for. about a day, apparently under no form of restriction. We are doing our best to
Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, M.P.,
House of Commons.
/obtain
1.9/8
p.a.
мета 18
enter d
-2-
obtain corroboration of this report, but in the present atmosphere in Peking contacts of this sort are difficult to follow up.
I am sorry that we have not more to tell you but I am sure you understand the problems which we face.
Youn
مکارح
Vand they
Maurice Foley
*
1
A
H
F=1/42
From The Parlamentary Under-Secretary of State
Noted in
Private Office
Foreign Office London S.W.1
29 July, 1968.
Dear Ben.
Thank you for your communication of 22 July about Mr. Eric Gordon, whom we believe may be in detention in China. I am returning the correspondence you enclosed and have retained copies for our files.
I am afraid that there is little information that we can give you about the Gordons. We are in constant touch with Mr. Gordon's brother, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, and my colleagues in the Foreign Office have written to his mother and father, and to other members of his family who are already aware of all the information in this letter.
The facts are as Mr. Jeffrey Gordon describes them. Mr. Eric Gordon worked in the Foreign Languages Press in Peking, and lived in the Friendship Hostel, a hostel for foreigners most of whom are employed by the Chinese Government. Neither he nor his family were ever in touch with our Mission in Peking and it was consequently difficult for us to find out anything about them when we received information they had disappeared. Moreover, the Mission, as you will be aware, is now working under considerable difficulties. We have, however, done all that we could to obtain information about the Gordons. The Charge d'Affaires has made formal approaches to the Chinese authorities in Peking regularly since 3 February, and the mission have telephoned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs weekly in efforts to find whether the Gordons are in fact under detention. Bill Rodgers, when he was Parliamentary Under-Secretary, also pressed for information from the Chinese Charge d'Affaires ad interim in London. Unfortunately, the Chinese have so far not responded to any of these approaches.
The only information of any sort we have is a report from a foreign resident of the Friendship Hostel, who told a member of our Mission that Mr. Eric Gordon and his family reappeared there some weeks ago for about a day, apparently under no form of restriction. We are doing our best to obtain corroboration or this report, but in the present atmosphere in reking contacts of this sort are difficult to follow up.
Ben Whitaker, Esq., M.P.,
House of Commons.
/I
[
enter & pa.
1/
+
L
:
-2-
+
I am sorry that we have not more to tell you but I am sure you understand the problems which we face.
+
+
改
Maurice Foley
1
-
A
WIDAL SERVI
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry Felfer 2
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret, Secret. Confidential.
Restricted. Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
DRAFT Letter
To:
(1) Mrs. Margaret
Thatcher, K.P.. House of Commons.
(11) Ben Whitake‡ Esq.,
M.P..
House of Cómmona.
56
Type 1 +
From Mr. Foley.
Telephone No. & Brt,
Department
FLAG A
FLAG B
(1) Fred lulley has asked me to reply to your
letter of 17th July about Mr. Eric Gordon whom
we believe/may be in detention in China. I
am returning the correspondence you enclosed.
We have retained copies for our files.
(11) Thank you for your communication of 22nd
July about Mr. Eric Gordon whom we believe may
be in Retention in China. I am returning the
correspondence you enclosed and have retained
copies for our files.
(i) and (11)
I am afraid that there is little informa-
tich that we can give you about the Gordons.
We are in constant touch with Mr. Gordon's
brother, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, and my colleagues
in the Foreign Office have written to his mother
and father, and to other members of his family
who are already aware of all the information
in this letter.
The facte are as Mr. Jeffrey Gordon des-
oribes them. Mr. Eric Gordon worked in the
Foreign Languages Press in Feking, and lived in
the Friendship Hostel, a hostel for foreigners
most of whom are employed by the Chinese Govern-
ment. Neither he nor his family were ever in
touch with our Mission in Peking and it was
../.
consequently difficult for us to find out
anything about them when we received informa-
+
tion they had disappeared. Moreover, the
Mission, as you will be aware, is now working
under considerable difficulties. We have,
however, done all that we could to obtain
information about the Gordons. The Chargé
d'Affaires has made formal approaches to the
Chinese authorities in Peking regularly since
3rd February, and the Mission have telephoned
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs weekly in
efforts to find whether the Gordogs are in fact
under detention. Bill Rodgers, when he was Parliamentary Under Secretary,/elso pressed
for information from the Chinese Chargé d'AT-
faires ad interim in London. Unfortunately
the Chinese have so far not responded to any
of these approaches.
The only information of any sort we have le a report from a foreign feeident of the Friend ship Hostel, who told a member of our kission that Mr. Eric Gordon and his family reappeared dr
there some weeks ago for about a day, appa-
rently under no form of restrierion.
We are
doing our best to obtain corroboration of this
report, but in the present atmosphere in Pakkng
contacts of this sortere difficult to follow
up.
sort!
I am sorry that we have not more to tell you
but I am sure you understand the problema
which we face.
Wi) 29/1
:
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
"
F2/42.
Noted in
Priate Office
Foreign Office
London SW.1
From The Parlamentary Under-Secretary of State
31 July, 1968
We
Thank you for your letter of 18 July about your brother, ir. Eric Gordon, and his family in Peking. I am afraid that we have still received no more news about them. are however in touch with your brother, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, and shall let him know as soon as we hear anything new.
We have asked the British Chargé d'Affaires in Peking to transmit your message to your brother and his family if he is allowed to visit them. I would suggest however that you yourself write a letter and send it to Far Eastern Department in the Foreign Office, Downing Street, London S.W.1. We would then forward it to Peking and Sir D. Hopson would try to have it delivered to your brother at such time as any information became available about his whereabouts.
I am glad that your mother is in good health despite the dreadful worry of the past few months. Please assure her that we are doing everything we can to help.
·
E
Miss A. Gordon,
Maurice Foley
22 Westbourne Gardens,
Hove,
Sussex
NB35PP.
L
enter vpa.
!
WOL 31-7433
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
$4
Registry No.
FC 1/42
DRAFT Letter
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
To:
Top Secret. Secret
Miss A. Gordon,
22 Westbourne Gardens, Hove, Sussex, NB35FP.
Type 1 +
From
Mr. Foley
Telephone No. & Btt.
Confidential.
Restricted. Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidenc
Department
FLAG C
Thank you for your letter of 18th Iplý
about your brother, Mr. Eric Gordon, and his
family in Peking. I am afraid that we have
still received no more news about them
We
are however in touch with your brother, Kr.
Jeffrey Gordon, and shall let him know as soon
as we hear anything new.
We have asked the British Chargé d'Affaires
in Peking to transmit your message to your bro-
ther and his family if he is allowed to visit
them
+
I would suggest however that you your-
self write a letter and send it to Far Eastern
Department in the Foreign Office, Downing Street
London S.W.1. We would then forward it to
Peking and Sir D.
Hopson would try to have it
delivered to your
brother at such time as any
information became available about his where-
abouts.
I am glad that your mother is in good
health despite the dreadful worry of the paat
few months. Please assure her that we are
doing everything we can to help,
(4) 27/1
29.7.
Miss L. Desé
MR. ERIC GORDON AND HIS FAMILY
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES N. 31
- 1 AUG 1968
Fe1142
FLAGS A
& B
FLAG C
FLAG D
FLAG E
FLAG F
I attach draft replies to letters from Mra.
Margaret Thatcher, K.P., and Mr. Ben Whitaker,
E.P., about Mr. Eric Gordon and his family, whom
we believe to be detained in China; and a draft
reply to a letter from Mr. Gordon's sister, Miss
A. Gordon. A telegram has been sent to Peking
asking Sir D. Hopson to transmit Miss Gordon's
message to her brother in the unlikely event of
his securing Consular access.
2. The draft to the two kembers of Parliament's
letters follow closely the terms of the letter sent
by Mr. Foley to Kr. David Watkins, M.P. The back-
ground of the case is covered in my submissions of
1 Kay and 28 Kay. There have been no developments
since then.
Jums
Humay
(James Murray)
29 July, 1968.
pia
53
Mr
Free FE)
Mn
Consula Depot for deft Reply by Mrr Foley
Mr. Sharland.
192/7
52
22, Westbourne Gdns.
Hove,
Sussex, MB3, 5PRECEIVED IN
¡ARCHIVES N. 31
Dear Sir,
Thank-you for the last
18th July, 1968.
- 1 AUG 1968
FCI 42
letter, and for your efforts,
and the efforts of the Foreign office, on behalf of my brother, Eric Gordon and his family in Peking.
I suppose you have not yet received any news of them. ?
When someone from the British Mission in Peking, is allowed, by the Chinese, to see my Brother and his family, do you think that a short message could be given to them,? If they could please tell Eric and Marie that their Mothers,
(and also their other relatives), are keeping well, we would be very grateful. (AND ALSO IF POSSIBLE END LOVE FROM
"MOTHERS & ALL RELATIVES,← REGARDS FROM FRIENDS Eric, particularly, will be anxious about mother, and how she is taking this, as`she is elderly, and a worrier, and Eric might be afraid that she is making herself ill worrying about him. As it happens, mother has managed to keep well, and
- -
HAVE
CONTINUA KLY
FROM THEIR
MOTHER THAT SBC
is in good health.~(~ +FAMILY WOULD NOT BE HARMED BY THE CHINESE. OF
INESE
AS
NE
COURSE, WE COULD NOT BE SURE; ALTHOUGH, FIR. GREY SEEMG) TO RE
Fric and Marie must be under enough strain without
ALRIGHT
having to worry about their mothers as well.
We would all be very grateful if this message could
possibly, please, be given to them.
Thank-you very much indeed.
Yours sincerely,
A.
Gordon (MISS.) ·
A. Gordon. (Miss).
اسلام
HOUSE
COMMON
+
EE.D.10
enter
HOUSE OF COMMONS
LONDON, S.W.1
22nd July,1968
Consula
Me to
Polyp
02317
I shall be grateful if you will give the
enclosed communication from...Jeffrey Gordon
71, ertford Road, 1,2, your attention
and send me a reply which I can forward to
my constituent.
RECEIVE
IN
ARCH
21
24 JUL 1000
Please acknowledge.
Ben Whitaker il Ben Whitaker
аю
At,How, Michdel Stewart, E.F.,
Foreign Secretary
RECEIVED IN
**CHIVES N. 31
-1 AUG 1968
Fe 1/42
H.C.918 (305227) 1 SM St.S.
TuDer 8697
Dear Mr. Whittaker,
FIVED IN
MUM.VES N.HERTFORD ROAD -1 AUG 1968 EAST FINCHLEY
FEI LONDON, N. 2.
پتا
16.7.68.
andwicent by
write t
the whereas
tracing ERIC
9
Mr.
John
Mendelson
yesterday
the
quistion of
Chinc
7
brother ERIC GARDEN
mya
on KIM(aged (2) in Je towary
ROAD N.W3.
his wife MARIE, and their
Before they left for Peking
1945, they
livet
WILLOW
and
constituents.
your
brother
the
G
in
Peking
Forang Panguages Perseny loved by
phonseologul polisher. In
words he
Marie Gordon,
Chine
publications.
sister-in-law, "The Chinese students
taught Renglish
college at the end
wrote that
at
they
Patria.
October, 1467
about to
set off for England. Since then,
+
+
આ
+
+
2
a
period of NINE MONTHS, nothing
been heard
from them. British Chargé d'Affaires
The
in Peking
rezescitation Ministry,
at the Chinese rege Munity but
repeatedly Rebuffed. Which
both families I have The Chinese Legation in
Q!
the
member of
bea to
London
the
The
responsal
engines
tol
theis
letters at
for occasions, but has been met following people
there have been no
again
negative.
Wave made
China but
replies to
all: PROFESSOR J. NEEDILAM
(CAMBRIDGE), PROFESSOR FITZGERALD (AUSTRALIA) EX- DEAN OF CANTERBURY'S WIFE, LAWRENCE DALY / SCOTTISH MINERS), I. BRADLEY (N.U.J.)
THE
OF
A. E.U. SECRETARY OF
IS
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THEIR MEMBERS
PARLAMENT DISCUSSING POSSIBILITIES
APPROACH, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL,
LORD BERTRAND
RUSSELL WROTE TO
writté several times
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9
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every possible authority in
whatsoever. For instans Ele
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Chin, but
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$
Chaman Mar.
to
Chri
Chon ka Lai, Chinen Forage Minning, Foreign Languages Press Frindshop
Hostel (
1965
Strmy
m
ستار
if
Wik
thing live it from tod (Det., 1967), Ammer Louisa
and
would appreciate it
Mr.
way
Mr. Margaret Thatcher (M.P.
- to whom I
for my
writing,
could
disass
مديرية
possibilities of appoad to the
whinch
Gordon
authorities
གྱི་ཐུག
the approaches.
lead to the raining
being tracent
may China
Chin bain
Joffrey Gordon (JEFFREY GARDON)
1
F.E.D
240
r
.
*39
Written Answers
M JULY 1968 Governmen. stating in each case the denomination of the church.
Mr. Mulley: No Embasy Churches are maintained or partially maintained maintained by Her Majesty's Government.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Mr. Frool's a¬ked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the large scale movements of Soviet military forces in the neighbourhood of the Czechoslovakian herder: and if he will raise the matter in the Security Council of the United Nations as a threat to international peace.
Mr. Goronwy Roberts: We have seen official announcements by the Soviet Union on 23rd and 25th July of military and air defence exercises in We-tem Russia. The answer to the second part of the Question is No.
BRITISH SUBJECTS, CHINA (DETENTION)
Mr. Whitaker asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what informa- tion he has concerning Mr. Gordon, a British subject, and his family in China.
Mr. Foley: On 1st February Mr. Gordon's relatives in England informed us that the family had been due to leave China in early November but that no news of them had been received since then. On 3rd February the British Mission in Peking were instructed to ask the Chinese authorities for assistance in discovering the family's whereabouts; this request has since been repeated at frequent intervals but no reply has been received. As enquiries in Hong Kong and elsewhere have revealed no trace of the family, we are obliged to conclude that they have been detained in China. The British Chargé d'Affaires in Peking will continue his efforts to obtain informa- tion from the Chinese authorities.
VISA-FREE ENTRY (DISCUSSIONS)
Dr. Gray asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will initiate discussions with the Governments which distinguish for purposes of visa-free entry between United Kingdom issued in London and those issued else- passports
34 Z IJ
26.768
239 w
769
Written AntDUCER
where, with a view to securing the aboli- tion of such dispactions,
Mr. Foley: When negotiating visa abolition agreements with othe. Govern- ments. Her Majesty's Government aim at cbtaining visa-free entry for as many United Kingdom nationals as possible. It is, however, only to be expected that 01he- Governments will be reluctant to grant visa-tree entry to United Kingdom national who have no guarantee of ad- mission to the United Kingdom itself. The ability of Her Majesty' Government to secure the abolition of distinctions of the kind referred to is clearly restricted by the terms of the Commonwealth In- migrants Acts of 1962 and 1968.
PASSI ORT-OFFICE (REVIEW
OF PROCEDURE)
Mr. Judd asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will estab- lish a committee to review the exercise by the Passport Office of its discretion concerning the issue of passports in Lon- don to citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies.
Mr. Foley: In so far as applications to the Passport Office by active supporters of the illegal régime in Rhodesia are concerned, the matter is already covered by the arrangements outlined in the state- ment circulated on 27th June by my right bon. Friend the Sceretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs. Considera. tion is being given to the extension of the review procedure to the refusal of pass- ports to citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies unconnected with Rhodesia. The result of this consideration will be announced in due course.- [Vol. 767, c. 126-130.]
BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION (JIFBREW
SERVICE)
Mr. Alexander W. Lyon asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the future of the British Broadcasting Corporation Hebrow Service.
Mr. Foley: A careful review has re- cently been made of the Hebrew Service in the light of the need to ensure that, in existing circumstances, the funds available for information work are spent
RECEIVED IN
¦ ARCHIVES No.31 30 JÚL 1968
Fa/42
لستا
1
DL154229 Op.863
FZ 1/42
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION
for WRITTEN answer on
F.E.D.
The draft reply should reach the Parliamentary Office through your Under-Secretary by
49
107
Mr. Ben Whitaker (Hampstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, what information he has concerning Mr. Gordon, a British subject, and his family
in China.
26th July, 1968
MR. MAURICE FOLEY
On the 1st of February Mr. Gordon's relatives
in England informed us that the family had been due to
leave China in early November but that no news of them
had been received since then. On the 3rd of February
the British Mission in Peking were instructed to ask the
Chinese authorities for assistance in discovering the
family's whereabouts; this request has since been
repeated at frequent intervals but no reply has been
received. As enquiries in Hong Kong and elsewhere have
revealed no trace of the family, we are obliged to conclude
that they have been detained in China. The British Chargé
d'Affairs in Peking will continue his efforts to obtain
information from the Chinese authorities.
Previous References
Flag A
Parliamentary Question by
29 May, 1968
Kr. Eldon Griffiths
Flag B
Adjournment Debate
13 June, 1968
Flag C
Foreign Affairs Debate
18 July, 1968
Mr. Wilkinson
Parliamentary Office
CONFIDENTIAL
CEIVED IN
Jö8
FZ1/Z
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION BY MR. BEN WHITAKER
26th JULY, 1968
We first learned that the Gordon family were in diffi-
culties from an enquiry made by Mr. Gordon's brother on
1 February. (The Gordone have at no time been in touch
with our Mission in Peking.) He informed us that the family
had been due to leave China in early November and that no
news had been received from them since October. As the
family were regular correspondents, their relatives in this
country were seriously concerned. We have received confir-
mation from Hong Kong that there is no record of the family
having passed through the Colony. On 3 February, our Mission
in Peking asked the Chinese authorities for assistance in
discovering the family's whereabouts. Further formal
requests for information have been made at 4 6 week inter-
vals. It is the Mission's practice also to make informal
enquiries by telephone weekly. No reply has been received
from the Chinese.
CONFIDENTIAL
../ 2 ..
CONFIDENTIAL
2.
A French resident of the "Friendship Hostel" told our
Mission on 19 Hay that he had seen Mr. Gordon and his family
at the hostel "within the last few weeks" where they had
appeared for about one day only. They then appeared to be
under no form of restraint. Since then we have heard nothing •
3. We understand from Mr. Gordon's brother that he had made
extensive notes with a view to writing a book about China
after his return home. The xenophobia and "spy mania" current
in China as a result of the Cultural Revolution would make
the possession of such notes sufficient justification in
Chinese eyes for Mr. Gordon's detention. Another possible
reason why Mr. Gordon might be in difficulties is that he was
connected through his work with a Chinese leader now in
eclipse. The chances of finding out more about the case are
unfortunately alight.
4. I attach a draft reply and a list of previous Parlia-
mentary references.
employed by the
Даши гламу
(James Murray)
25 July, 1968.
Mi Anden was
Freign Languages Pren
Peking
Bhathensc
25/v11.
CONFIDENTIAL
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry No.
DEPARTMENT
Fer/42
4:
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION PRIORITY MARKINGS
To: Secret Saree Confidental
Emergency Immediate
Briority
Restricted Unchasified
Routing
* Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should
reach addressco(s)
2
(Date)
Despaloned
3717
1600
CYPHEN
Confidential.
Emretair
Lunic
Cypher
Draft Telegram to
No.
(Date)
'771°
And to:-
Security_classification
[Codeword-if any).
Addressed to
telegram No.
And to.....
26/7 repeated for information to ...
Sarping 10
Repeat to:-
(date).
-------2-
GORDON Gordon
Miss A. Gorbon, Enna Gordon's
H
Şiring 10:-
Sister has
written
to
The Parliamentar
Unico Sectekan asking that
A
message
1810/0
26
2.5
IF BY
be passed to her brother of my
any
Distributions
Filis
FED.
Copies to:-
羽って
chance you
Doram access to him.
soming that the mothers of
Enc and
Marie and men me
felatium ade
are keeping well and
Send their love and fliems send
regards
༡༠
L
[3]
Ed (3084)
Mr Derry
M. Murray
し
Reference.....
то най
46
Ent
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
30 JUL 1968
Mr Eric Gorda Fe 1/42
I attach Grizeft draft replies to those letters conconing Mr. Eric Gordon. We have photocopies of the enclouses,
2. I attach also daft telegram, which does
not need to be submitted.
Mark A. Hall
25/7
a
Kieglum
Telegram
sent
Вадстрани.
Jom Denmar
Denson
:
L
1
4:
Private Secretary
RECFIVED IN
L
ARVIS No.31
29 JUL 1968
F21142
Flag A
Mr. Eric Gordon and Family
I attach a draft reply to Kr. David Watkins, M.P.
letter of 9 July which enquired about Mr. Eric Gordon and
his family, whom we believe to be detained in China.
The draft follows closely the terms of the letter
sent by Mr. Rodgers to the Rev. The Lord Soper.
The
background of the case is covered in my submission of
There have been no developments since
2.
Flag G
Flags C
1 May and 28 May.
and D
then.
Munay.
(James Murray)
22 July, 1968.
45
مساجد
Entour
MAA
י
Fur/42
44
23 July, 1968
Thank you for your letter of 9 July about
Mr. Eric Gordon, whom we believe may be in
detention in china. I am returning the
correspondence you enclosed.
copies for our files.
We have retained
I am afraid that there is little information
that we can give you at present about the
Gordons. We are in constant touch with
Mr. Gordor's brother, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, and
my colleagues in the Foreign Office have
written to his mother and father, and to other members of his family who are aware of all the
information in this letter.
The facts are as Mr. Jeffrey Gordon
describes them. Mr. Eric Gordon worked for
the Chime Government, in the Foreign Languages
/Press in
David Fatkins, Esq., M.P.
House of Commons.
Press in Peking, and lived in the Friendship
Hostel. This is a hotel for foreigners most
of whom are employed by the Chinese Government.
Neither he nor his family were ever in touch with our Mission in Peking and it was consequently extremely difficult for us to find out anything about them when we received information they had disappeared. Moreover, the fission, as you will
be aware, has to work under considerable diffi-
culties. We have, however, done what we can to
obtain some positive information about the Gordons. The Chargé d'Affaires has made formal approaches to the Chinese authorities 1. Peking regularly since 3 February and the Mission have telephoned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs weekly in efforts to find whether the Cordons are in fact under
detention. Bill Rodgers, when he was Parliamentar Under-Secretary, also pressed for information from the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires ad interim in
London. So far unfortunately the Chinese have responded to none of these approaches.
The only evidence which we have is a report from a foreign resident of the Friendship Hostel,
who has told a member of our Mission that
Mr. Eric Gordon
Mr. Eric Gordon and his family reappeared some weeks ago for about a day, apparently under no form of restriction. Fe are doing our best to find corroborative evidence for this report.
I am sorry that I can only give you such a tentative reply, but I am sure you understand the problems which we face.
(MICHAEL STEWART)
WEBDL $1-743
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry No.
F41/42
Z DRAFT
Letter
Type 1 +
(4)
To:>
From
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret. SecreL Confidencial.
Restricted. Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
Kr. David Watkins, M.P.,
House of Commons.
Secretary of State
Telephone No. & Bet,
Department
Cur
In Cadence
Jul
despatches
MAX
Thank you for your letter of 9 July about
Er. Eric Gordon, whom we believe may be in
detention in China. I am returning the
correspondence you enclosed.
copies for our files.
We have retained
I am afraid that there is little information
that we can give you at present about the
Gordong. We are in constant touch with
Mr. Gordon's brother, Er. Jeffrey Gordon, and
my colleagues in the Foreign Office have
written to his mother and father, and to other
members of his family who are aware of all the
information in this letter.
The facts are as Mr. Jeffrey Gordon
describes them. Mr. Eric Gordon worked for
the Chinese Government, in the Foreign Languages
Prees in Peking, and lived in the Friendship
Hostel. This is a hotel for foreigners most
of whom are employed by the Chinese Government.
Neither he nor his family were ever in touch
with our Mission in Peking and it was consequently
extremely difficult for us to find out anything
about them when we received information they
had disappeared.
Mill
Moreover, the Mission, as
you may be aware, has to work under considerable
Bifficulties.
We have, however, done what we
pan to obtain some positive information about
the
the Gordone. The Chargé d'Affaires has made
/formal
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
formal approaches to the Chinese authorities
in Peking regularly since 3 February and the
Mission have telephoned the Ministry of Foreign
Affaire weekly in efforts to find whether the
Gordons are in fact under detention. Bill
Rodgers, when he was Parliamentary Under-
Secretary, alao pressed for information from
the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires ad interim in
London. So far unfortunately the Chinese have
responded to none of these approaches.
The only evidence which we have is a report
from a foreign resident of the Friendship
Hostel, who has told a member of our Mission
Ar
that/Eric and Gordon and his family reappeared
some weeks ago for about a day, apparently
under no form of restriction. We are doing
our best to find corroborative evidence for
this report.
I am sorry that I can only give you such
tentative reply, but I am sure you understand
the problems which we face.
Rh 23
7
Taphous
نا
5
110. Pockham Roach, London, SE15
5th July, 1968
My Ref: HS/HE
Mr. H. Walker,
Secretary,
A.E.U. Group of E.P.s.,
House of Commons,
Westminster, London, 8.W.1.
Dear Harold,
RECEIVED IN .ARCHIVES No.31
29 JUL 1968
F21/42
Enclosed please find copies of self-explanatory correspondence, which has received the consideration of Executive Council, who have decided that the matter should be placed in your hands,
It is appreciated, of course, that this is a difficult and delicate problem and that the Foreign Office are already involved.
However, perhaps the matter can be discussed at the forthcoming meeting on Monday next.
Best wishes.
Yours sincerely
High Scantor
сал
HUGH SCANLON.
From the office of the President of the Amalgamated Union of Engineering & Foundry Workers. High Scanlon.
+
+
1
1
I
43
later cup".
My Ref: HS/HE
4th July, 1968
+
I.
Kr. J. Gordon, 71 Hertford Road, East Finchley, London, N.2.
Dear Mr. Gordon,
+
Further to ny letter of the 31st May, 1968, I have to inform you that the matter of the detention of your brother, his wife and family lu China has now received the consideration of my Executive Council.
It has been decided that the best course to adopt with regard to this distressing problen is to place the matter in the hands of the Secretary of the A.E.U. Group of M.P.8 for his attention and possible action.
I do sincerely hope that the end result of your untiring efforts will bring about a speedy reunion with your brother and his family.
7
!
Yours sincerely,
HUGH SCANLON,
PRESIDENT
1
+
F
:
+
+
+
+
سر
EXT/DC
Kr. E. Fro:,
District Scoretary, XANCHESTER
L
4th July, 1968
Dear Sir and Broth
We would refer to your communication of the 24th May, 1968, acimo::ledged by us on the 24th idon, and would express our regret at the delay in giving consideration to this matter, This has been duc, however, to the attendance of Hlecutive Council at various conferences.
Executive Council have now decided to refer the apparent detention of Mr. E, Gordon and his family in China,
Secretary of the A.E.U. Group of H.P.3 for his attention and Fossible action.
Yours fraternally, p.p. J. CONWAY
UKIERAL SECRETARY,
2
¡
TUD. 8697
YOUR REF: HS/HE.
Dear Mr. Scanlon,
letter
of May
your
state that
71 HERTFORD RD
RD.,
EAST FINCHLEY
LONDON, N2.
23.6.68.
3
You for your
31st. thank you
would be discussing the subject
brother, his wife and s
your Excecutive Co you
شد
Conta
9
has
China.
son's
fully appreciate the fact
of my
that
I with
you
are
wondering
Let
been
taken.
with thada umoin
much preoccgred
very alters,
whether
but
could
you
and the decision
know if the matter has
discussed
Dr. J. Needham, Chairman of
S.A.C.U., and Lord Bertrand Russell have made engines in
China, but
response.
for there has been
*
+
५.
ext
to
Qui
still making
مفت
enquiries,
to
date.
but without
The Foreign Office contine
press
the
itimisty for information
the
Foreign.
whereabouts in China.of..
the fordon family and
other
at
British nationals numbering
least twelve, but as
there has been no
عليه
عره
doing
yet
response?
you
appreciate all
to help..
Your sincerely,
Jaffrey Gordon
(JEFFREY GORDON)
[
+
I
سرية
L
31st May, 1963
lly Ref: HS/ME
Kr. J. Gordon, 71, Hertford Rond, Fest Finchley, London, 1.2.
Dear Mr. Gordon,
Thank you for your letter of the 28th instant, wherein you request ny assistance in tracing the whereabouts in China of your brother, his wife and
son,
Hy Executive Council have, however, clready received a "communiontion from our Inchester District Committee on this distressing zettor and will be discussing the subject at their next Executive Council mooting.
I trust tint this knowledge will help relieve sone of your natural anxiety, end feel that far pore can be achieved if the matter is pursued officially, rather then for ne to deal with it on an informal besis.
Ky best shes to you in your efforts.
Yours sincerely,
HUGH SCANTON,
I
Tudor 8697
Dear Mr. Scanlon,
71 HERTFORD ROAD
EAST FINCHLEY
LONDON, N.2.: 28.5. 1968:
the hope that the A. E.U!
ฐ
writing
No
amay
my
able to help, in some way,
whereabouts in
the
brother
and
ERIC their son
to Diranca
China of
GORDON, his wife MARIE,
KIM (aged 11). Since the end of October, 1967, when they wrote that they would be leaving Peking for England, nothing has been
head of
of
from them?
OVER SEVEN months.
brother is
My
Our
O
perod
member of
the N.Qu. J. and I have written
to the secretary, Mr. Bradley about
the whole matter.
the
Whilst it would
Chinese
I
seem that that westen organizations,
with contempt, they should have
مرد
+
respect for the trade union
comment
Ax
My
هه
hola.
brother and his wife Bean trade unionists.
would be most appreciates executive of the A.E.U. consider the
the possibility of Chinese Legation
very gut if the would
contac
the
Portland Plans, W...,
or
Chinese Foreign Ministry in Peking. Pressure of this kind
them to
this kind right compel
reveal the whereabouts
China of the Gordon family. the full
6
Own
enclos
details of the people involved.
P. S. 9
und
Yours sincerely,
Joffrey Gordon
(JEFFREY GORDON)
Mr.
Clive Jenkeis
also writing to sito. Clive
-
дет
-
4
L
fir. Eric Gordon
DETAIL: OF THE TROPLE INVORVED
Born in Ka hester, England. A British subject.
Aged 36/37 years;
European;
Jewish.
-k-reporter. Has worked on papers in Southond and Nottingham, on th Brentford and Chiswick Gimes, the Reynolds News, the Daly Herald and in the Exchange Telegraph News Agency.
Intere ›d and sympathetic to the social experiments taking place in China
Native Language: English.
English. Learned a little Chinese whilst in Pekin.
Mrs. Marie Gorda, Born in England. A British subject of a Ghanese father and an English mother. Is coloured with curly black hair, dark complexion, etc. Aged 32/33 years.
Has worked in clerical and secretarial capacity nainly. After this a housewife then student. Accepted to study for a degree at London School of Economics upon her return.
Native Language: English. Could speak a little French. Learned uone Chinese whilst in Pekin.
Interested in social experiment occurring in China, as was her husband.:
Kin Gordon - son of the above.
Born in London, England. A British subject.
Lod 12 years.
Slightly tanned complexion, brown but fairly tightly curled hair.
Native Lanuage; English. Said to be proficient in Chinese sinco he had attended Chinese school whilst the family in China (2+ years).
L:
+
+
بهمه
L
Details c. Visit to China, Projected Journey
Back to England, otc,
In 1954, Eric Gordon's job with the Daily Herald was terminated due to ral redundancy.
Ho and his wife had always been interested in developing countries and had considered living temporarily in Ghana, India, Czo slovamis, among other countries. novều to any of these countries, although they did visit Hungary
However, they had not and Poland.
in 1954, the Chinese Legation was interested. in obtaining the services of English-speaking people for work in Pekin. introduced to the then Chinese Chargé D'Affairs by one or both of They were the following people:-
Mr. Jack Shapiro,
100, Brim Hill,
Hampsteed Garden Suburb,
London, H.2.
HIGhate 1697
and
Mr. Derek Bryan,
85, Holden Road, London, N.2.
HILlside 9072
Insurance Agent.
Member of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding. (S.A.C.U.)
Lecturer in Chinese + Holborn College of Law
Languages & Commerce,
Membor (and ex-Secretary) of S.A.C.U.
The GordonSleft England for Fekin in February, 1965, where Eric Gordon was employed by the Foreign Languages Press, English Section, Room 307, Pai Wan Chuang, Pekin, 37, China, where he was improving the paraseology, etc. of material already translated from the Chinose. His wife was employed as a teacher of English to students of 16 years and over, and the son attended a Chinese school.
When first in China, Eric Gordon submitted some articles on China to the Sunday Telegraph, which published them. doing this at the request of his superias in the Foreign Languages
ho stopped
Fress.
The Cultural Revolution began in about August, 1966 and the wife stopped teaching and the child (together with all other schoolchildren) stopped attending school.
During the whole period of their stay, both adults wrote regularly to their respective parents, usually at fortnightly intervals. The only longer interval was once for 4 weeks a when they took a trip to the interior.
Eric Gordon's contract expired in February 1987, 32).MA.
family cotuinea a six monen extensioni
I
+
However
Fekin for Hong Kong on 31st October. However, friends in China have confirmed that they left Fokin on 5th November intending to to Hor Kong via Shanghai and Cunton. Since this time (weeks) no nov has been received from them.
30
Recently, the Foreign office told certain reportors the kils which have appeared in the press togethor with information about two naval officers. The Foreign Office have been making what
e quiries they can without any success so far.
Before any of this information is made public, the following parties must be consulted:
Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, (brother to Bric)
71, Hertford Rd.,
East Finchely, N.2.
TUDor 8697
Mr. George Fottle (brother-in-law)
81, Bedster Gardens,
Hearst Park,
West Mcasey, Surrey. 679-8867
H
2
+
+
L
+
HS/LF/KS
EF/DE
29th May, 1968.
Mr. E. FrOW,
District Secretary,
MANCHESTER,
Dear Sir and Brother,
We acknowledgo receipt of your letter of 24th May rolative to Mr. Eric Gordon and his family, whom you stato are apparently dotaimed in China.*
This will receive the attention of the Executive Council and a further letter will be sent to you as soon as we have any information
1
Yours fraternally, P.p. J. CONWAY, Generel Secretary.
کمہ
I
-
+
DEF
Amalgamated Union of Engineering & Foundry Workers
Our rat
EF/DE
Manchester District Secretary
& Frow
to whom all communications should be addressed
120 Rusholme Rost Chorlton-on-Medlock Manchester13
Telephone Ardwick 4385/6 Please confine sech latter to one subject
District Seal+
Your f
Mr. J. Conway,
General Secretary.
24th May, 1968.
Dear Sir and Brother,
A question has been raised on our District Committee relative to the whereabouts of Mr. Eric Gordon and his family, who are apparently detained in China.
In view of the fact that Mr. Gordon was active in the Trade Union and Labour movement in Manchester, the Chairman accepted a resolution to request Executive Council to raise this matter with the A.E.U. Members of Parliament.
In view of the fact that our M.P.8 no doubt havé some details of this problem, it may not be necessary for me to supply you with a great deal of detail, but we would appreciate this matter being raised with our M.P...
Yours fraternally,
ester
District Secretary
AMALGAMATED UNION OF ENGINEPRING & FOUNDAY WORKERS
HOUSE
OF
From : Mrs.Margaret Thatcher, M.P.
Ackd
COMMONS
18/7
Hot. Tilley
17th July 1968.
Not som
Sen by M. Mullay
Consular Dept. for
a
draft reply from M.
Foley.
DOM 18/U11
I enclose a letter I have received from my constituent, Mr.Jeffrey Gordon, regarding his brother, Eric Gordon who, with his wife and twelve year old son, are still in China and appear to have been missing for nine months.
I would be grateful if you could let me know whether there is any way in which your Department can help to trace this family.
Чело
مسد
Эйсе
Taran. Thalita
Пачал
The Rt.Hon. Frd Mulley, M.P.
Foreign Office.
S.W.1.
سود
hole
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
22 JUL 1968
FC
12
HERTFORD RD,
RECEIVED IN
Tudor 869
ARCHIVES No.31 EAST FINCHLEY
- 1 AUG 1968
LONDON, N.2
FL1/42
16.7.68
9
writing to
Dear Ms. Thatelle,
you
in
the hope that in some way
Be
you may
where a tonis im
ERIC
theis
they
to
able to trace the
China of my
brother
GORDON, his wife MARIE, and
KIM (aged 12).
were about
At the end of October, 1967, wrote that they set off for England from Peking. Since then
.
period of NINE months, nothing has been
from them.
heard of
when the British Chargé d'affaire in Peking make representations at the Chinese Foreign Ministry he is repeatedly reluffed. Since January,
have been to the
beam to the Chinese
TIME
Legation in London," that the
+
+
2
response
negative.
has been completely
brother worked for the
My Languages Press in Peking
a diting publications, and my sister in four taught English at
C
college in
Peking quite naturally I have written
great member of people all sorts of organisations in
to
and
Britani
صه
well
There have been
: to
ง
י
every
abroad.
as
replies at all
in Peking, is
conceivable authority written to
Charman Mao, Chou en Lain, the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the Foreign Languages Press, the
Friendshyi Hostel where they lived from Feb., 1965 to Cart.
before they
1967,
were due to set off
homes the following
The following people
had
have
repies to their letters:
+
:
I
1
3
LORD BERTRAND RUSSELL To CHOU ENLAI, DR. J. NEEDHAM (CHAIRMAN OF S.A.C.U).
THE OPPOSITE NUMBER OF THAT ORGANISATION IN PEKING, PROFESSOR FITZGERALD (AUSTRALIA) TO PEKING, LAWRENCE DALY (SCOTTISH MINERS)
To
THE
EX- DEAN
CHINESE
9
CHINESE LEGATION In London OF CANTERBURY'S WIFE то
LEGATION, J
J. BRADLEY (N. U.J) saw Mr. John
in the House of
and he
advised me
Mandelson
to write to
Commons yesterday,
and Mr. Ben Whittaker, my
yooother and
sister-in-law's M. P.
12
su
and
the
grested that
you,
M.P. Mr. Whittaker
could
discuss the whole
matter
and plan possible actions
to help trace the Gordons in China.
Your very sincerely, Jeffrey Gordon (JEFFREY GORDON)
1
4
I
+
Cornea dept for dust Reply by Sof S
F.E.
Amalgamated Engineering Union
PARLIAMENTARY GROUP
Chairman :
FRED LEE, M.P.
David Watkins,
Hon. Secretary:
CHABLES DANNELI, M.P.
Rt. Hon. Michael Stewart, M.P.,
July 9th, 1968.
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Office,
Downing Street,
S.W.1.
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
15 JUL 1968
Fel/42
Your Michael,
The Executive Council of the AMALGAMATED UNION OF ENGINEERING AND FOUNDRY WORKERS (sorry, I haven't got the new letter headings yet) have asked their parliamentary Group to make enquiries of the Foreign Office on behalf of Mr. Eric Gordon.
Apparently he, his wife and his son have
been detained in China.
I understand that you are fully acquainted with the details of this case, and I would be grateful for any information you could let me have about it.
Yours sincerely, David.
David Wetkins.
All communications should be sent to the Honorary Secretary at the House of Commons, London, S.W.1
pa
lm
Methodist Church
Kingsway Hall London WC: Telephone 01-405 3246
Superintendent Minister
Then The Lord Soper MA PhD West London Mission
RECEIVED
ARCHIVES No.3
20 JUN 1968
Ful42
Circuit Stewarda
Mr Malcolm Spencer FPS
Prof Arthur Smalles
MA Dut
18 June 1968
Kingsway Creche
St Luke's House
St Mary's House
Grove House
Alfred Hartley House
Emerson Bainbridge House
Goodliffe House
Fellowship House
Katherine Price Hughes Hostel Hopedene
WLM Clothing Store
Nr. William Rodgers, M.P.,
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State,
Foreign Office,
London, S.W.1.
Rect. 19/6
38
7.ED.
Dear Mr. Rodgers,
Thank you so much for your letter of the 14 June, regarding the Gordon family, who may be under detention in China.
I am most grateful to you for taking the trouble to reply at such length, and I trust that all your efforts to establish some information about this family may prove successful.
With kind regards.
Yours sincerely,
Soper
M. Skolad M Murray
Au 21 Jun
enter
20%
FE/142.
Foreign Office London S.W.I
From The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
14 June, 1968.
39
Du Mex Mr Garden.
Пе
32
I am writing to thank you for your letter 27 May to the Prime Minister about your son Eric.
I am afraid that there is very little that I can add to my letter of 5 June. We are still pressing for confirmation of the report I mentioned and shall naturally contact you as soon as we hear any more news. We are also of course still in close touch with you son Jeffrey.
Sicesh
Lion Rodger
کچھ
William Rodgers
Mr. and Mrs. S. Gordon,
22 Westbourne Gardens,
HOVE,
SUSSEX. BR 3.5PP
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry
No.
FC1/42
DRAFT
Letter
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
To
Top Secret.
Secret
Confidential
Restricted
Unclassifed.
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
Mr. & Mrs. S. Gordon 22 Westbourne Gardens,
Hove,
Sussex. EN 3.5PP
Type 1+
From
Mr. Rodgers
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
Flag
I am replying
for letter of 27 May
to the Prime Minister about your son Eric.
I am afraid that there is very little that
can add to my letter of 5 June. We are still
pressing for confirmation of the report I
mentioned and shall naturally contact you as
soon as we hear any more news. We are also
of course still in close touch with your son
Jeffrey.
Mus" vi
F21/42:
From The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
Foreign Office
London SW1
14 June, 1968.
38
!
1
י - י ד ני -
L
Thank you for your letter of 29 Hay about the Gortion family, who we believe may be under detention in China. You enclosed a letter from Mr. Gordon's sister,
Miss Antta Gordon, which I am returning withthis letter. We have kept a copy for our files.
I am afraid that there is little that you can do to help the Gordons at present. We are in constant touch with Mr. Gordon's brother, Mr. Jefirey Gordon, and I have myself written to his mother and father án other members of his family. The facts are more or less as Miss Gordon describes them. Mr. Gordon: worked for the Chinese Government in the Foreign Languages Press in Peking and lived in the Friendship Hostel. This is a hotel for foreigners who are sympathetic to the Chinese Government. Reither he nor nis family were in touch with our Mission in Peking and it is consequently extremely difficult for us to find cut anything about them. Moreover the Mission, as you will be aware, work under considerable difficulties in any case.
L
We have been doing all we can to outain some positive information about the Goutions. Wo made formal approaches to the Chinese authorities in Peking on 3 February, 12 March, 25 March and on 4 May in an effort to find out whether the Gordons are in fact under
detention. I have also hade requests for information to the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires a interim most recently on 24 May. The Chinese have so lur responded to none of these approaches.
The only evidence of any sort which we have is a- report from a foreign resident of the Friendship Hostel, who recently told & member of our Mission that Eric Gordon
The Reverend The Lord Soper, M.A., Pil.D.,
Superintendent Minister,
West London Lission
Methodist Church.
Kingsway Hall, V.j.2.
/and his
LT
2
and his family reappeared some weeks ago for about a day, apparently under no form of restriction. This .. report is so far unconfirmed; but we are doing our best to find corroborative evidence.
+
I am sorry that I can only give you such a tentative reply. But I know you understand the problems involved.
William Rodgers
ו'
+
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry No.
DRAFT FC 1/42
Letter
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
To:-
Top Secret.
Secrct.
Confidential
Restricted. Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
"Is Confdance
The Rev. The Lord Soper,
West London Mission, Kingsway Hall, London, W.0.2.
Superintendent Minister,
38
Type I +
From
Mr. Rodgers
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
Thank you for your letter of 29 May about
the Gordon family, who we believe may be under
detention in China You enclose a letter from
Mr. Gordon's sister, Miss Anita Gordon which I
am returning with this letter. We have kept
a copy for our filea.
I am afraid that there is little that you
can do to help the Gordons at present. We are
in constant touch with Mr. Gordon's brother,
Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, and I have myself written
to his mother and father and other members of
his family. The facts are more or less as
Miss Gordon describes them. Mr. Gordon
worked for the Chinese Government in the
Foreing Languages Press in Peking and lived in
the Friendship Hostel. This is a hotel for
foreigners who are sympathetic to the Chinese
Government. Neither he nor his family were
in touch with our Mission in Peking and it is
consequently extremely difficult for us to
find out anything about them, Moreover the
Mission, as you will be aware, work under
considerable difficulties in any case,
We have been doing all we can to obtain
some positive information about the Gordons.
We made formal approaches to the Chinese
authorities in Peking on 3 February, 12 March,
25 March and on 4 Hay in an effort to find
out whether the Gordons are in fact under
/detention
detention. I have also made requests for
information to the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires
ad interim most recently on 24 May. The
Chinese have so far responded to none of
these approaches.
The only evidence of any sort which we
have is a report from a foreign resident of
the Friendship Hostel, who recently told a
member of our Mission that Eric Gordon and
his family had reappeared some weeks ago for
about a day, apparently under no form of
restriction.
unconfirmed;
This report is so far
but we are doing our best to
find corroborative evidence.
I am sorry that I can only give you such
a tentative reply.
But I kun ym
You will however
understand the problems involved.
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
14.6
Mr. Samuel
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No 3i
20 JUN 1968
Filari
W.31
Flage A, B,
and C.
Flags D and
32
35
Mr. Eric Gordon and Family
I attach draft replies to letters (a) from
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon to the Prime Minister and
(b) from The Rev. The Lord Soper, who enclosed a
letter from Miss Anita Gordon, Mr. Gordon's sister.
2. There is nothing to add to the background
information in my submissions of 1 May and 28 May.
Jann Unnay
(James Murray)
13 June 1968
28.5
Mr. Samuel
CONFIDENTIAL
RECEIVED IN [ARCHIVES No.31;
20 JUN 1968
F2/42
Plags A & B
Flag C
Flag D
Flaga E & F
Letters from Mr. Merlyn Rees, K.P. to
Kr. Roberts about the Gordon Family
I attach a draft reply from Mr. Rodgers to letters of
20 and 23 May from Mr. Merlyn Rees, M.P. to Mr. Roberts.
Mr. Rees wrote to Mr. Roberts on 2 April, but the letter did
not reach Far Eastern Department. Mr. Rees has since sent a
copy. The background to the case of the Gordons is in my
submission of ↑ May.
2. We have since received an unconfirmed report that a
French resident of the Friendship Hostel saw Mr. Gordon and
his family at the Hostel where they had reappeared for only
about one day. We have asked for confirmation of this and the
Chargé d'Affaires hopes it will be possible to question the
informant further in early June when he applies for a visa
to go to Hong Kong (Peking telegrams 448 and 482).
Janes Wnnaga.
(James Kurray) 28 May, 1968
CONFIDENTIAL
Fi(42.
Foreign Office London S.W.1
*
From The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
5 June, 1968.
81
35
The Foreign Secretary as asked me to thank you for your letter of 28 ly coout your sou Eric and his wife and son.
Since the letter Mr. Corowy itcberts wrote to Mirs. Gordon on 7 ky there has been a development, of which we have already informed your son Jeffrey, with whom we have been keeping in close touch. A foreign resident of the Friendship jostel in. Peking recently told & member of our Mission that Eric and his family had reappeared some weeks ago for about a day, apparently under no form of restriction.
I must, I am afraid, emphasise that this report is 'so far unconfirmed. We are doing our best to obtain information, but as you know our Mission works under great difficulties in Peking. In the meantime we are
continuing to do all we can in the interests of your son and his family. I raised his case again with the Chargé d'Affaires only ton lays ago; and we shall continue to press for information both here and in Peking.
Mr. and Mrs. S. Gordon,
22 Westbourne Gardens,
HOVE,
Sussex BN 3.
+
William Rodgers
Registry F4/42 DRAFT
LETTER
No.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret.
Secrol
Confidential.
Restricted.
Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
Ja
Confianc
To:
Mr. and Mrs. S. Gordon,
22, Westbourne Gardene, Rove, Sussex BN 3.
35
Type 1+
From
MR. RODGERS
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
Flag A
ha
Flag E
The Foreign Secretary has asked me to
-reply be your letter of 28 Kay about your son
Eric, and his wife and son.
MA.
Since the letter Mr. Roberts wrote to
Mrs. Gordon on 7 May there has been a
development, of which we have already informed
your son Jeffrey, with whom we have been
keeping in close touch. A foreign resident
of the Friendship Hostel in Peking recently
told a member of our Mission that Eric and his
family had reappeared some weeks ago for about
a day, apparently under no form of restriction.
I must, I am afraid, emphasise that this
report is so far unconfirmed. We are doing
our best to obtain confirmation, but as you
know our Mission works under great difficulties
in Peking- In the meantime, we are continuing
to do all we can in the interests of your son
I
and his family. Mviäänyves raised his case
again with the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires ad
interim only ten days ago;and we shall continue
to press for information both here and in
Peking.
WEEL KEZDE
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Sto.
Mr. Samuel
UNCLASSIFIED
K IVED IN
¦AR.......... VES No.31
20 JUN 968
=1/42
Flag A
Mr. Eric Gordon: letter from Hr. Gordon's family
I attach a draft reply from Mr. Rodgers
to a letter from the family of Mr. Eric Gordon,
whom we believe to be in detention in China.
Flag C Flag D
2.
The background to the case is in my
submissions of 1 May and 28 May.
(James Kurray)
76/6.
Fa142
Foreign Office London SW.1
33
Prom The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
29 May, 1968.
23
Thank you for your letters of 20 May and 23 May to Gorowy Roberts (which he has used me to answer) about the Gordon family, thought to be in China. am sorry that your letter of 2 April went astray.
I
It has been very difficult to obtain news about the Gordons. They have never been in touch with our Mission in Peking, and we did not know of their
1
There
disappearance until . Gordon's brother, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon made enquiries on 1 February. 1.0 tice of the Gordons has been found in Hong Kong. Formal requests for information were made to the Chinese cuthorities in Peking on 3 February, 1 and 25 March and 4 lfay. have been frequent inform1 reminiers. I myself made strong representations to the Chinese Chargé d'affaires i.. London on 5 April and 24 ay about British subjects known or suspected to be under detention, and specifically referred to the Gortions. We are in. close touch with Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, who has apparently received no reply to letters to highly placed Chinese officials nor to enquiries at the Chinese Mission here in London.
Very recently we have heard from our Mission in Peking that they have received a report tilt the Gordons were seen for one or two days some weeks ago at the Friendship Hostel (a hostel where foreigners working for the Chinese Government live) from which they nad earlier apparently disappeared. We are trying to obtain confirmation of the report, but in the difficult circumstances under vhien qur Mission and other foreigners now work i. Pcking, to obtain further information is not easy. We have told ir. Jeffrey Goition that we should not wish to place too optimistic an interpretation on this one report until moře is known.
Merlyn Rees, Esq., K.P.,
House of Commons.
/In view
ри
latvo pr.
sime
we extant, will paper we
Ms Rodger
ALAMA
г
N
:
*
·
In view of the reported detention of other British subjects sympathetic to the Chinese, e.g. Mrs. Epstein
and Mr. Michael Shapiro, it is, I am afraid, very possible that the Gordons may have been detained.
4
There have been some signs of slight easing in our relations with the Chinese; for example, a visit has been permitted to Mr. Anthony Grey, the Reuter's correspondent under house arrest in Peking. If this. trend continues, we may be in a position to do more for British subjects in difficulties, including the Gordons. We shall in any case pursue our enquiries with the Chinese authorities. If any information comes to light from them or from other sources, I shall let you know immediately.
William Rodgers
!
WDBJL 31-743
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry 142
No.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret.
Secret
Confidential
Restricted.
Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
In Cordómace
DRAFT
To:
Merlyn Rees, Esq., M.P., House of Commons, S.7.1
+
Type 1 +
From
Kr. Rodgers
Telephone No. & Ext
Department
Flag A
Thank you for your letters of 20 Kay and
23 May to Goronwy Roberts (which he has asked
me to answer) about the Gordon family, thought
to be in China. I am sorry that your letter
of 2 April went astray.
It has been very difficult to obtain news
about the Gordons. They have never been in
touch with our Mission in Peking, and we did
not know of their disappearance until Mr.
Gordon's brother, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, made
enquiries on 1 February. No trace of the
Gordons has been found in Hong Kong.
requests for information were made to the
Chinese authorities in Peking on 3 February,
12 and 25 March and ↳ May. There have been
frequent informel remindere.
Formal
I myself made
strong representations to the Chinese Chargé
d'Affaires in London on 5 April and 24 May
about British subjects known or suspected to
be under detention, and specifically referred
to the Gordons. We are in close touch with
Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, who has apparently received
no reply to letters to highly placed Chinese
officials nor to enquiries at the Chinese
Mission here in London.
Very recently we have heard from our
Kission in Peking that they have received a
report that the Gordons were seen for one or
/two
33
two days some weeks ago at the Friendship Hostel
(a hostel where foreigners working for the
Chinese Government live) from which they had
earlier apparently disappeared. We are trying
to obtain confirmation of the report, but in
the difficult circumstances under which our
Mission and other foreignere now work in
Peking, to obtain further information is not
easy. We have told Mr. Jeffrey Gordon that
we should not wish to place too optimistic an
interpretation on this one report until more
is known.
In view of the reported detention of other
British subjects sympathetic to the Chinese,
e.g. Era. Epstein and Mr. Michael Shapiro,
it is, I am afraid, very possible that the
Gordons may have been detained.
There have been some signs of slight
easing in our relations with the Chinese;
for
example, a visit has been permitted to Mr.
Anthony Grey, the Reuter's correspondent under
house arrest in Peking. If this trend
continues, we may be in a position to do more
for British subjects in difficulties,
including the Gordoną. We shall in any case
pursue our enquiries with the Chinese
authorities. If any information comes to
light from them or from other sources I shall
let you know immediately.
28
ins27
р
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
29-1-
ร
32
Copy for M. Rodger 37
FE Dept for draft reply from
the Rodgers, pl.
22, Westbourne Gardens,
до
28/5.
Hove,
Sussex, EN3. 5PP
I
RECEIVED IN
Dear Sir,
28th. xay, 1963,
We should be obliged if you could please be so kind as to let us know whether you have any news from China yet, of our son, Eric Gordon, his wife, Marie, and their son, Kim, aged twelve years.
We are very worried about them, and hope that they are not
111.
We would be very grateful for any information you could
give of our son and his family.
Thank-you very much indeed.
AR HIVES No.31
-5 JUN 1968
Fa/2.2.
With all best wishes,
Your's at
sincerely,
4. Gordon. (Miss.).
A. Gordon, (Miss),
EP. KR. 4 MES. S. GORDON, & FAMILY.
Mrs. Gordon & Mr. S.Gorche
+ Family.
(krs. S. Gordon, and Kr. S. Cordórí, and Family.).
Draft reply has four opt
Ents
1
p%
RECEIVED N
+
- 6 JUN 1968
31
Fe1/42 trand's
ه بام
FE.
22, Westbourne Gāns.
Hove,
BN3.1 SPP.
Sussex, BN3 . | SPP.
1
N
. 21 vað
27th. May, 1968.
Dear Sir,
Pri
Rza
Could you please be so kind as to any news from China of our son Fic Gordon, son, Kim, aged twelve years.?
let us know whether you have his wife, Marie, and their
They intended to leave Peking
They are presumed to be detained. on 5th November, 1967. We have not had a letter from them for seven months; and they used to write regularly every week.
are not ill. years old.
We are very worried and anxious about them, and hope that they
We are particularly worried about Kim, who is only twelve
Thank-you very much indeed.
With Best Wishes,
Yours singerely,
Mrs. Gordon, & Mr. S. Geading
Krs. & Mr. S. Gordon, & Family.
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.21!
4- JUN 1968
Kay Gandan
10, DOWNING STREET, S.W.1.
PRIVATE SECRETARY
PRIV
Foreign Office
น
The attached communication addressed to the Prime Minister is transmitted to you to be dealt whatever manner is considered appropriate by the Department concerned. It refers to previous correspondence which was forwarded to
you on
1. No acknowledgment has been sent from here.
2. A plain acknowledgment has been sent from here, adding that the communication has been forwarded to your Department.
3. A plain acknowledgment has been sent from here, adding that the communication is receiving attention. You should ensure that a substantive reply is sent from your Department as soon as possible.
4. A copy of the acknowledgment which has been seat from here is attached.
Date 30.5.68.
6467 Dd. 268461 20m 4/68 CHC 696
wim
Methodist Church
Kingsway Hall London WC2 Telephone 01-405 3246 ?
Sperintendent Minister
The
The Lord Soper MA PhD
West London Mission
4 JUN 1968
**Kingsway Creche
FC 1/42
Circuit Stewards
Mr Malcolm Spencer FPS
Prof Arthur Smailes MA DLit
St Luke's House
St Mary's House Grove House
Alfred Hartley House
Emerson Bainbridge House Goodliffe House
Fellowship House
31
Katherine Price Hughes Hostel Hopedene
WLM Clothing Store
The Under-Secretary for STate,
Foreign Office,
Whitehall,
London, S.W.1.
29 May 1968
Dear Sir,
I received the enclosed letter
which I think you
will find self-explantory - this morning.
I find it difficult to know how I can help this lady, and I am wondering if you can give me any advice regarding the whereabouts of her brother and his family.
I should be most grateful for any assistance you can give in this matter.
Yours faithfully,
бори
The Ray. The Lord Soner
е
e 150
r
C
Dear Sir,
22, Festbourne Gardens,
Hove,
Sussex, BM3. 5FP.
28th May, 1968.
[
I am writing about my brother Eric Gordon, his wife, Marie,
and their son, Kim, aged twelve years, who are probably being
detained in China; and wonder whether you could help or advise in any wy. The Foreign office have asked the Chinese about them, but have not, so far, received any reply.
Eric and Marie went to Peking to work in 1965, and were due to leave on 5th November, 1967. They intended to get a Cargo boat from Hongkong, but they did not cross the border into Hongkong, as there is
no record of it.
The last We have not had a . letter from them for seven months• letter we had from them was 28th. Cctober, 1967. They said that they would write next from Hongkong before getting on a boat, but we have not had any letter. They used to write regularly every week, so something must have happened to cause their letters to stop so suddenly like that, after they had written so regularly for nearly three years.
He are very worried and anxious about my brother and his family, and hope that they are not ill. We are particularly anxious about Kim, who is only twelve years years old.
If you could possibly please help or advise in any way, we would be most grateful, and really appreciate it.
Thank-you very much indeed.
With best wishes,
J
Yours sincerely,
Anita Gordon (Miss).
Anita Gordon. (Miss).
·
:
1
ओ
.
H
CONFIDENTIAL
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
27 MAY 1968
3
Cypher/Cat A
PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
F21/424
Telno. 482
25 May 1968
29
CONFIDENTIAL
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 482 of 25 May, Repeated for information to Hong Kong.
Your telegram No. 551: Gordon,
Further contact with informant in immediate future may be difficult. He has however said that he will be applying to us in early June for Hong Kong tourist visa as he is leaving China, and he gave the impression of being willing to talk to people in Hong Kong. We shall try to talk with him here when he applies and sh 11 in any case keep Hong Kong informed.
2. In 'crmant was quite certain of his identification of Gordon family.
Foreign Office pass Hong Kong 32.7.
Sir D. Hopson.
[Repeated as requested]
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.E.D.
News Dept.
Consular Dept.
C.O. H.K.D.
Граде
LANT
RET.
29
WEZI
DDDDD
CONFIDENTI AL
14.
FC
42
CYPHER/CAT A
CONFIDENTIAL
PRIORITY FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING
TELNO. 551
23 May, 1968
29
(F)
Jum 25/5 раз
CONFIDENTIAL.
ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NO. 551 OF 23 MAY REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG.
26
YOUR TELEGRAM NO. 448: GORDON,
THE FAMILY HAVE STILL RECEIVED NO NEWS FROM GORDON,
2. WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO OBTAIN FROM THE INFORMANT A CLOSER PROXIMATION OF THE DATE ON WHICH HE SAW GORDON FAMILY, AND THE DEGREE OF CERTAINTY OF HIS IDENTIFICATION?
SOSFA
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
FO: F.E.D.
NEWS DEPT.
CONSULAR DEPT.
CO: H.K. DEPT.
CONFIDENTIAL
LAST
REE.
梅菜蔬车
KET.
26
30
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
No. F
Registry No.
DEPARTMENT
F41/42
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION PRIORITY MARKINGS
Top
Flast
onfidential
Priority
(Date)..........
Despatched
• Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should
reach addressEC(1),
111
2040
29
2375
YPHER
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
Cypher
Draft Telegrapí to.
Peking
Nor/ 5:51
[Sect
Security classification" -if any
urification]
[ Privacy
Privacy marking -if any
[Codeword--if any]
Addressed to
telegram No..
And to
LITL
(Date) 23/5 repeated for information to
And to:-
Repeat to:-
953
Hong ong
Saving to:-
KARIBIKAH
Saving to...
PEKING
L
CONFIDENTIAL
➖ ➖➖➖ -- PLOJ
(date)
.. והויניזו.
HONG KONG
Your telegram No. 448: Gordon.
The family have still received no news from
Gordon.
a daer
Aberta
to obtain from the informant 2. Is it possible for you to cinek with
If the Pronch contact the approximate date on which he saw
Gordon family, and the degree of certainty of his
identification?
[3.
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Distribution:- Departmental F.0. F.E.D. Consular Dept.
News Dept.
C.O. H.K.D. Copies to:-
EXAMINED AT/248/23%
SKINATURE
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F.E.
MR Rodgers.....
Reid 24/5
Dear Goronway
+
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London, S.W. 1
23rd Man Gr
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RECEIVED IN
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24 MAY 1968
41
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DETAILS OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED
Mr. Eric Gordon.
Born in Manchester, England a British subject. Aged 36/37 years;
Ex-Reporter.
European;
Jewish
Has worked on papers in Southend and Nottinghan. Has worked on the Brentford and Chiswick Times, the Reynolds News, the Daily Herald and in the Exchange Telegraph News Agency. Was interested and sympathetic on the social experiments taking place in China.
Native Language: Pekin.
English. Learned a little Chinese whilst in
Mrs. Marie Gordon.
Born in England
-
and English mother. complexion, etc.
Aged 32/33 years.
a British subject of a Ghanese father and Is a half-caste: black curly hair, dark
Has worked mainly in offices. After this a housewife, then städent. Ead been accepted to study at the London School of Economics and hoped to enter the school upon her return.
Native Language: English. Could speak a little French. Learned some Chinese whilst in Pekin.
Like her husband very interested in and sympathetic to the social experiments taking place in China.
·
Kin Gordon - son of the above.
Born in London, England
Aged 12 years.
a British subject.
brown
Slightly tanned complexion, krig but fairly tightly curled hair. Spake English fluently. Was said to be proficient in Chinese as he attended Chinese school when they lived in Pekin.
+
DETAILS OF VISIT TO CHINA, PROJECTED
JOURNEY BACK TO ENGLAND
ETC.
In 1964, Eric Gordon's job with the Daily Herald was terminated due to general redundancy.
He and his wife had always been interested in developing countries and had considerod living temporarily in Ghana, India, Czechoslovákia, among other countries. However, they had not moved to any of these countries, although they did visit Hungary and Poland.
In 1964, the Chinese Legation was interested in obtaining the services of English-speaking people for work in Pekin. They were introduced to the then Chinese Chargé D'Affairs by one or bother of the following people:-
and
Mr. Jack Shapiro,
100, Brim Hill,
Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, N.2. HIGhate 1697
Mr. Darek Bryan, 85, Holden Road,
London, K.2.
HILLside 9072
Insurance Agent.
Member of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding (S.A.C.U.)
Lecturer in Chinose, Holborn College of Izw,
Languages & Commerce.
Member (and ex-Secretary)of S.A.O.U.
The Gordons loft England for Fokin in February, 1965, where Bric Gordon was employed by the Foreign Languages Press, English Section, Room 307, Pai Wan Chuang, Pokin, 37, China, where he was improving the phraseology, etc. of material already translated. from the Chinese. His wife was employed as a teacher of English to students of 16 years and over, and the son attended a Chirese School.
When he was first in China, Eric Gordon submitted sons, articl on China to the Sunday Telegraph, which published thon. He stopped doing this when he was requested to do so by his superiors in the Forsigu Languojos iTOCI,
When the Cultural Revolution began in about August, 1966, the wife stopped working and the child (together with all other school-· children) stopped attending school.
During the whole period of their stay, both adulta vro be rogutarly to their respective parents, usually at fortnightly intervals. The only time when the interval was longer (about 4 weeks) was when thoy took a trip to the interior.
All the lettera were detailed, in particular those of Eric Gordon to his brother. The latter were also extremely long and sequent because they were intended to be kept to provide notes
the book which he (Eric) hoped to write upon his return from China. None of the letters appeared to be censored and they took between 5 and 12 days to reach the recipient.
Eric Gordon's contract expired in February, 1967, but the family obtained a six month extension. They intended to. leave Pekin for Hong Kong on 31st October. However, recenti enquiries confirmed by Foreign Office investigations, showed that, in fact, they left Pekin on 5th November, intending to go to Hong Kong, via Shanghai and Canton. SINCE THIS TIME (21 WEEKS) THERE HAS BEEN NO NEWS FROM OR OF THEM. Enquiries by the Foreign office confira that they have NOT crossed the border from Canton into Hong Kong. Their last 16tter telling of their plans was dated 29th October, 1967.
↑
Because there was no news of them, Eric Gordon's brother (Jeffrey) went to the Chinese Legation in January. Since then,
two further visits have been made and on every occasion the Charge D'Affairs (a different one each time!) has been evasive and unhelpful.
About two months ago, the British Foreign Officer was contactaa. The offidals involved werelio.aro Faequill (now transferred to Iran), Mr. Brunnage (Trafalar 4555 Ext. v03) anl Mr. Sharland (930-8440), all of whom have been very helpful.
The F.O. checked with the Authorities in Hong Kong that the Gordons had not crossed the border. They also confirmed that they left Fekin on 5th November, by contacting a Kepalese vorer in the Foreign Community there. Hore recently, on 25th March, Mr. Sharland sent a cable to the British Chargé d'Affairs in Pekin and authorised (directed, asked) him to contact the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Fekin inmediately with all the details. To date (30th March), no further information has been received.
Mr. Jeffrey Gordon would like to re-emphasize how helpful and co-operative the Foreign Office have been in the matter.
It is vital that before any of the above information is mide public the following interested parties MUST be consulted:
!
Mr. Jeffrey Gordon,
71, Hertford Road
Bast Finchley, N.2.
TUDor 8597
Mr. George Fottle (brother-in-law), 81, Bedster Gardens, Kursbek Hearst Park, West Molesey, Surrey. 979-8867
It is wished that the above information is made public OHLY if considered necessary to the interests of Mr., Mrs., and Kin
Gordon by the Foreign Minister (or the person deputised by him to handle the matter).
L
:
From M. Reer. MP MY
27
for
Reid 21/5
Far Eastern
Mh.Rodgers...
House of Commons,
ant
RECEIVE
London, S.W.1
20 May 1968
ARCHIVES N.
Ackid 21/5
24 MAY 1968
Dear Goronwy.
On
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You
Family
who
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Mr. Benson
Mr. Murray
CONFIDENTIAL
FC 1/42
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Eric Gordon and family
Peking telegram No. 448 reports a conversation in which a member of the Mission in Peking heard from a French contact that the latter had seen the Gordon family "within the last few weeks".
2. I have spoken to Mr. J. Gordon who has confirmed that the family in England have not received any news from Eric Gordon. I passed on the gist of the report from Peking, but explained most carefully that too much trust should not be placed in it, and that the family here should not allow their hopes to rise too much.
3. I think, however, that the report is worth investigating further, if that can be done, It would be particularly useful if we could establish the approximate date of the sighting and the degree of certainty of the identification. Since Mrs. Gordon is coloured, the latter may seem a foolish question at first sight, but I understand there are several expatriate Africans in Peking.
4. Had the Gordons been released and were they engaged on collecting their last few belongings from the Hostel, I should have expected them to have left China by now. The failure of the family in England to receive news, however, argues against that hypothesis. It may be worth while, though, to remind Hong Kong to keep a watch on travellers from China so that if the Gordons do leave via Hong Kong, we receive the information as soon as possible.
5.
Kong.
I attach a draft telegram to Peking and Hong
Ackerland
J. Sharland) 23 May, 1968.
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Jon Denson
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PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Telegram No. 448
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
20 May, 1968
CH
26
F21/42
Addressed to Foreign office telegram No. 448 of 20 May, Repeated for information to Hong Kong.
2
Your telegram No. 426:
¡ng. Gordon.
A member of my staff learnt yesterday from a French resident of the Friendship Hostel that he had seen Gordon and family again at hostel where they had re-appeared for about one day only. They appeared to be under no (repeat no) form of restriction. Frenchman gave impression that this had happened within the last few weeks.
2.
One possible interpretation of this is that Gordoné had been released and had come to pick up belongings before leaving China. You may like to check again whether the family have any news of them.
Foreign Office pass Hong Kong No. 324
Bir D. Hopson
[Repeated as requested]
at have panca
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.O. F.E.D.
News Dept
C.0. H.K. Dept
88866
Consular Dept
CONFIDENTIAL
information to Mr. J. Gordon,
The family have reccse of
and $ coma M. Gordon Mari the rust south selle pass
прив
'tamara'
$7%
No. 42
copy for FE.D.
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES N
Entry 17
16 MAY 1968
Fc 1142
必不
The Office of the British Charge d'Affaires present
their compliments to the Consular Department of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, and
have the honour to refer to their Note No. 8 of the 3rd of
February, 1968, requesting the Department's assistance in
ascertaining the whereabouts of är. Eric Gordon and his
family. They have received no reply to this Note.
The offics of the British Charge d'Affaires would be
grateful to know as soon as possible whether Mr. Gordon, his
wife and son are still in China, and if so, how they may be
contacted.
The Office of the British Charge d'Affaires avail
themselves of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China the
assurance of their highest consideration.
Office of the British Charge d'Affaires,
PEKING.
5 Max. 1568
with
F21/42 + M. Bogel 7
2 Mr. Sharland. FED
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The attached communication addressed to the Minister is transmitted to you to be dealt whatever manner is considered appropriate by the Department concerned. It refers to previous correspondence which was forwarded to
you on..
1. No acknowledgment has been sent from here.
2. A plain acknowledgment has been sent from here, adding that the communication has been forwarded to your Department.
3. A plain acknowledgment has been sent from here, adding that the communication is receiving attention. You should ensure that a substantive reply is sent from your Department as soon as possible.
4. A copy of the acknowledgment which has been sent from here is attached.
Date
115/68.
RECEIVED:
ARCHIVES N.
6467 Dd. 268461 20m 4/68 CHC 696
-3 MAY 1968
Gorda VE.
Copp
10, Downing Street, Whitehall.
May 1, 1968
Dear Miss Gordon,
The Prime Minister has
asked me to thank you for
your letter of April 26
which is receiving attention.
Yours sincerely,
(SGD) D. H. ANDREWS
Miss Anita Gordon.
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Dear Sir PM
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22, WEST BOURNE- GDNS,
HOVE,
SUSSEX, BN3.5 PP.
26th April, 1968.
امتی
you please tell me whether Government has heard anything from the Chinese Government regarding my brother, Eric Gordon, his wife Marie, and son Kim, Eleven years-old, yet?
Кий
не
We have not heard from them for six months. They have been in Peking for about three
leaving years and said they Early in November, 1967. The last letto we
Received from them was
in October, 1967.
They
west
were going to get a
Cargo & boat from Hongkong, but there
is
wo
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record of them having
crossed the border into Hongkong
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There has been no
on
letter, so
boat.
something must have happened. They wrote reqularly each week
near the end of October,
until
1967.
It seemed to
to u us
that they must
have been detained by the
Chinese.
My other brother, and in-laws, have visited the Chinese Embassy, several times, and have been. unable to get any news from them.
My brother also went to the
Foreign Office a few weeks ago, and they contacted China,
R
ps.
3.
but the Chinese would not reply.
-Could
you please let me know whether you have heard
вышен
anything from the Chinese Government since then. ?
Thank you very much. Thank-you
My
Yours Sincerely,
Anita, Gordon (Miss.)
brother, Eric, worked as a reporter in England, and in publishing office in China.
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Reference
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being
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RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES M
20 MAR 200
Fel/42
E.
be
referred
back to us
& that all that
being
done
Could be done was
Mr Avery spoke to him later
& made the additional point that
Such a question could raise publicity
which might draw the attention
of
Chinese authorities to ther. Gordon,
possible adverse effect's in the country
the
with
on his position
EA (4206)
i
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15/5
14/11
| =1
E4 (4206)
Reference.
Spoke to Smart in News Dept.
who had enquired what we knew of
Gordon's case (last evening)
yave him references to tels.
x Ch.daff's Note Verbale general outline
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M.. Quyong
Consula Dept.
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John Shankand
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RECO
IN
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No.21
10F2B 1000
With the compliments of 21
THE OFFICE OF
THE BRITISH CHARGÉ D'AFFAIRES
Reference your telegram No. 121 of 1 February
Mr Sharland 12"%
تفاع
PEKIN
3 February, 1968
he Consulater
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261/2
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No. 8
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THED DUR
The Office of the British Chargé d'affaires present their
compliments to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the People's Republic of China and have the honour to
request their assistance in the following matter.
The Office of the British Chargé d'affaires understand that
Er, Eric Gordon, a British subject, arrived in Peking in February,
1965 to take up employment under contract with the Peking state
Publishing House. He was accompanied to China by his wife Marie
and his son (aged about 11); while in Peking the family's address
was Plat 8642, P.0, Box 300, Peking.
Mr. Gordon's relatives in Britain received letters from him
regularly up to the end of Üctober, 1967, at which time they
understood that Kr. Gordon and his family were to leave China via
Shemel en after spending a few days at Shanghai and a few days at
Canton. During the three months since that date however,
Hr. Gordon's relatives have received no news of his or his family
and they are concerned at his disappearance,
The Office of the British Chargé d'Affaires would be grateful
for the assistance of the Consular Department in ascertaining the
whereabouts of Ir. Gerdan. It would be helpful if the Consular
Department could discover for them whether Mr. Gordon and his
family have left China during the last few months by any of the
normal routes, and if not, at what address he may be contacted.
The Office of the British Chargé d'Affaires avail themselves
of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of the People's Republic of China the assuran e of their highest
consideration.
Office of the British Chargé d'affaires,
PEKING.
3 February, 1968
Cypher/Cat.A
PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Telno. 102
CONFIDENTIAL
RECEIVED I ARCHA
-OFZD 100
CONFIDENTIAL
TOP COPY
3 February 1968
ко
prepmists
FC 1/42
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 102
of 3 February.
Repeated for information to Hong Kong.
Your telegram No. 121: Ourdon
We are asking Ministry of Foreign Affairs by
Note for assistance in discovering whereabouts of family. We have assumed that Gordon is a British subject,
although to best of our recollection he was not registered with us and made no contact with us while in Peking.
2. It may be possible to discover relevant information from other foreigners working under similar contracts in Peking. We no longer have any direct contact with this community, but will try to pass word through diplomatic colleagues who do.
3.
Hong Kong will no doubt confirm that he has not crossed the border.
Foreign Office pass Hong Kong 61.
Sir D. Hopson
[Repeated as requested]
FILES
Consular Dept.
न्छि
Brother informed
+
Rs/2
SSSSS
CONFIDENTIAL
F21/42
RESTRICTED
CYPHER/CAT A
INDIATE FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING
TELNO 121
1 FEBRUARY, 1968 (KO/GORDON E)
+
TOP COP
@
for puisis
pa 15/5
RESTRICTED
ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NUMBER 121 OF 1 FEBRUARY REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG.
BROTHER ANXIOUS ABOUT WHEREABOUTS OF ERIC GORDON, AGE 36, WHO WITH WIFE MARIE AND SON KIM AGE 11, WERE DUE TO LEAVE PEKING FOR U.K. AT END OF OCTOBER. GORDON HAD BEEN IN PEKING SINCE FEBRUARY 1965 ON CONTRACT TO THE PEKING STATE PUBLISHING HOUSE. HE IS ALSO A FREELANCE JOURNALIST. FAMILY WERE TO TRAVEL TO HONG KONG AND PLANNED TO SPEND TWO DAYS EACH AT CANTON AND SHANGHAI. GORDON'S ADDRESS IN PEKING WAS FLAT 8642, P.0. BOX 300, PEKING. RELATIVES RECEIVED MAIL REGULARLY BUT HAVE HAD NO NEWS SINCE 28 OCTOBER.
2.
PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND REPORT.
+
SOSFA
FILES
CONSULAR DEPT.
FHC
RESTRICTED
+
+
[
[
XX
1
Registry No.
DEPARTMENT
Re142 KO / GORDONE.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top-Secret
PRIORITY MARKINGS
-Secret→→
-Confidential-
Restricted
*Chekstfede
_Flash_
Immediate }*
Routing
(Date)
• Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should
reach addressec(s)
Despatched E
CYPHER
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
-En ClairTM
Code
Cypher
Draft Telegram 10:-
PEKING AL
No.
(Date) 1/2
And to:-
•Security if any
'Security classification
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Restricted
[
Privacy marking -if any
1.
Addressed to
11.
[Codeword-if any]
PEKING
..PLAY.
(date)
た
HONG KONG
LIPPINELLI.
telegram No.
And to...
42
repeated for information to.
ILL------➖➖➖➖➖➖
Repeat to:-
HONG KONG
Saving to:--
Distribution:-
Saving to..........
ducers--PIN PASS --------------‒‒‒‒‒A KAA JA S
Pad -PHILADAŞ
----
Brother arissions about whereabouts of ERIE GORDON, age 36, who with wife MARIE and Son 11, were due to leave Reking for UK.
KIM
age
197 at end
Consular Dept.
Copies to:-
MAMINED AT 1647.4/2
IGNATURE
མ་
of Peking since February 1965 on contract to the Peking State Publishing House. He is also a freelance journalist. Family to travel to thong Kong and planned to spend two
October. GORDON had been in
were
each at Cauton and
days Shanghai Gordon's address in Peking was flat 8642, P.o. Box 300, Peking. Relations, receives mail regularly but have had
по
news since 28 October,
2. Please investigate and report.
Ry2 1/2
Ed (4206)
FC 1/42.
Reference..
$18
ERIC GORDON
Whe. Pottle called accompanies by Gordon's brother,
Mr. J. Gordon.
Whr. Gordon said that his brother went to Peking in february 19865 on contract to the Peking State Publishing House where he was employed as a "plirascologist." the is also a freelance journalist. His address in Peking
was flat 8642, P.O. Box 300, The last letter receives was dated 28
дано
I
Reking
October when Gordon said he expected to leave Peking, with wife and son, on 31 October. They planned to trave to
реал
Hong Kong, shopping
days each at
2 days
Canton and Shanghai. They should have arrived in thong Kong heteveen & ногу код 8
and 11 November.
Since 28 October relatives have had
no news. Whr. Pottle, a travel ayout, has checked with shipping lines and travel agencies in thory Kory
hur
на пась
I said
I would telegraphe
ри
Petzing
and wouw
would let Mr. Gordon
know the result.
Mr.J. Gordon's address
71, Hartford Rd.,
is:
East finchley, N.2
Tel: Home: TUDOR 8697
School: AMHERST 0373.
Tel to Paking.
W2/2
Jan195
Mua 1915
·
1
[
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TELEPHONE CONVERSATION
ACTION
FROM
My G. POTILE.........................
ΤΟ
1/2
9.30.24 42.
FILE
...----+
Why Pottle's Lister-in-law was
due to leave Peking with her
husband and child on way to U.K. in October 1967.
No have Sivre then.
thisband is ERIG GORDON,
a
about 36, and is a journalist. Child aged 11.
While in China Goledous
wrote brome
Grace
fortnight but nothing heard for four mouths. They has hear in China
for 21⁄2 years.
I said I would telegraph
Peking for newd
of Gordon
yhe
hut asked Mr. Pottle if he
Could first provide more соло
information about Gordon
RECEIVE IN
ARCHIV
0.31
16 MAY .J68
F21/42
TIME. 9.30 a...
DATE................
TIME.....
INITIAL...
·H...
DATE.
W 18
INITIAL........
(9256561-155800 900 1755 ATËS. 199
RECEIVED IN
FAX.:YES NO 31
16
Y 15..
F21/42
The Royal Society
6 Carlton House Terrace
London, SWI
Tel. 01-839 5561
ext.262
JJPD/VMK
13 May 1968
conta
FC 13
ры
15/5
Dear Janet,
Thank you very much for your letter of
13 May about your efforts to trace the Gordon family. I shall tell Mr J. Gordon what you have suggested.
Yours sincerely,
Sun Direnell
(JJP DEVERILL)
for Executive Secretary
Miss Janet Evans,
East West Contacts Department,
4 Central Buildings,
Matthew Parker Street,
London, S.W.1.
比等
20 1/42
Foreign Office
116
LONDON. S.W.
SENT OF
13 Kay, 1968 (pu
ins
You sent me on 3 May copies of a letter with enclosures you had received requesting the Society's help in tracing a couple and their son last heard of in Peking.
I have consulted the political department concerned and the facts are that the Gordons were due to leave Peking last November. Kr. J. Gordon (the brother) approached the Foreign Office for help at the beginning of February but no trace of the family having left China through Hong Kong was found. Repeated enquiries made to the Chinese have received no reply. It is probable that the Gordons have been detained by the Chinese authorities but there is no definite proof. Yr. Gordon is aware of all this, so I think you will have to tell him there is nothing to add to what he already knows from the Foreign Office. I do not imagine that the Royal Society has any contacts in China that can be of use in this case, Hr. Gordon is naturally trying to get information from every conceivable source.
(Janet Evans) (Miss) East-West Contacts Department
J.J.P. Deverill, Esq., Royal Society.
یال
MA
WOL 31-433
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
42 DRAFT
Registry No.
FC 1/42
To
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Condidential
Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
J.J. P. Deverill Eng., Royal society
?
3
Type 1+ (16
Janet to vamo
From
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
E-W. Cs DpZ
In Confidence
You sent me on 3
copies
etter.. enclosures
yo: hd received requesting the Society's
help in tracing a courlend their son 1st
Per
heard of in Pe` 2)
I have con:
the molitical de-a trent
concerned and the facts are t'at the Gordens
were due to leave Faring last November. Kr. J.
Fordon (the brother) approached the Frign Offic
but no
February
for help at the beginning of an
ace of the family having left ing thro-da
4
Hong ng "
found. Repeated enqui408
- Chinese
no received me regio
L
pina
na Love been de-
82
th. Sharland (Far Eastern Dept.)
ine **
Zefinite voor.
thoritier but thare 15 no
ku I think : 111 have to tel
+
2
. Fordon 1.
one of all t
le
at he alre nt
the
al
atan be
natu rlly
#11
every convenient
mion Comice. I do not fukedne P
⚫ lety bar any contacts in China
of
RECEIVE
DIVISION
**
+
IT t
Kr. Kalen
fet information on every oc
BENT TO
arvince.
To be entered with F.E.D.
JE??
Bd (4206)
• F21/42
Reference....
415
We spoke about the letter & have received
rom the loyal society below.
wiltin
I have now discussed the matter further
Department and it prefered that the papers be entered
with
my
you as the responsible Department for the Gordons, with a reply to the Royal Society over my name since me
the society's contacts in the F_O.
g
ŷ attach a
draft for you
comments.
J. Evans &
E-WCO 4
th. Start and ( Far Easter. Dept.)
Mr. Endus
ELI. CD.
d
have made
two dybt amendments to
овут
M. attached drift
that the
при
ради звала все
entimes here.
it.
зап рести
when the letter han four and
pe p7-
paru Japa ins
1975
7
+
Inth
Royal Soc.
15
Dear Janet,
The Royal Society
6 Carlton House Terrace
London SW1
Tel. 01-839-5561
ext.262
JJFD/VMK
3 May 1968
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
1 6 MAY 1968
F1142
Jumpa 1875
I attach copies of the papers spoke
about or the telephone today. Please see if you can find out what is going on, because we would like to help if we can.
Yours sincerely,
John Deveill
(JJP DEVERILL)
for Executive Secretary
Miss Janet Evans,
East West Contacts Department,
4 Central Buillings,
Matthew Parker Street,
London,
.1.
RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES No. 58
-6 MAY 1968
о
Dear Sir,
TUD. 8697
71
HERTFORD ROAD
EAST FIN CHLEY
LONDON, N. 2,
30. 4. 1968
writing to you
in the
able to
hope
that
help us,
you may
some
my
way, two traxe the
lyfother ERYC
of
who
wrote at
whereabouts his twifed MARIE, and theis KIM(aged 1ctober, 1967, that of be leaving
the
end
they
ard
would be
leaving Peking
England. Suice then,
me
perlod
souths, they have
ford England.
nearly SEVEN
beel heard
heard of 9 Gat
طمع
of
enclosing the details
the people involved.
Your sincerely,
Gordon
(J. GORDON)
DEF LIT
HS TAPI INVOLVED
Cir. Aric Gordon
Born in Manchester, England. A British subject.
-1 36/37 years;
=reporter.
European;
Jewish.
ilas worked on papers in Southend and Rottingham, on the Brentford and Chiswick Times, the keynolus News, the Daily Murald and in the Exchange relegraph News Agency.
Interested and sympathetic to the social experiments taking place in China.
Native Language: English. Learned a little Chinese whilst in rekin.
Mrs. Marie Gorún. Born in sugland.
A British subject of a Ghanese father and an english mother. Is coloured with curly black hair, derk complexion, etc. Aged 32/33 years.
Has worked in clerical and secretarial capacity mainly. After this a housewife then student. Accepted to study for a degree at London school of Economics upon her return.
Native Lan; UAJO I
English. Could speak a little Franch. Learned
Come Chinese whilst in Pekin.
Interested in social experiment occurring in China, us was hur husband.
Kim Gordon
-
on of the above
Born in London, England. A Britich subject.
A ̧ed 12 years.
Slightly tanned complexion, brown but fairly
i ̧htly curled hair.
L
Native Lan ungo: English. Said to be proficient in Chinese since he had attended Chinese school whilst the family in China (2+ years).
1
!
Dotails of Visit to China, projected Journey
Back to England, etc.
In 154, Eric Gordon's job with the Daily Herald was terminuted due to gun.ral redundancy.
ilo and his wife had always boon interested in developing lries and nad considered living tomporarily in Ghana, India, Czechoslovakia, among other countries. However, they had not moved to any of these countries, although they did visit Hlunary and Poland.
In 1964, the Chinese Legation was in.er-sted in obtaining the services of anglich-speaking poople for work in Fokin. They were introduced to tho then Chinese Chargó D'Affairs by one or both of the following people:-
and
Mr. Jeck Shapiro,
100, Brifill,
Hanpated Garden Suburb,
sie
London....2.
Iühade 1697
Kr. Dores/Bryan,
85, Holden Road,
London N.2.
Misjølde 9072
Insurance Agent.
Homber of the Society for Anglo-Chinese understanding. (S.A.C.U.)
Lecturer in Chinose,
Holborn College of Law
Languages & Commerce,
Komber (and ex-Secretary) of 3.4.C.U.
The Gordon left England for rekin in February, 1905, where Bric Gordon was employed by the Foreign Languages irecs, english section, Room 307, rai wan Chuang, lekin, 57, China, where he was inprovin.. the phraseology, etc. of material aire dy translated from the Chinese. llis wife was employed as a toscher of English to students of 16 years and over, and the son attended a Chinese school.
When first in China, üric Gordon submitted come articles on Ching to the Sunday telegraph, which publi:hod then, Ho stopped doing this at the request of his superias in the Foreign Languages
esc.
The Cultural Revolution began in abou ugust, 1956 and the vife stopped teaching and the child (together with all other schoolcziluren) stopped attend.ng school.
During the whole period of their stay, botu adults wrote regularly to their respective purenta, wunily at fortnightly intervals. The only longer interval was onco for 4 woods a when they took a trip to the interior.
aric Gordon's contract ex ired in Febr. 102. tout family outuined a six monta extension.
contritt
1262 the
t
:
T
1
ekin for long nong on 31st October. n、ve confirmed that they left rekin on to Hong Kong via changhai and Canton. no nows has boen received from them.
However, friends in China
5ta Noveuber intonging to 60 Since this time (26tweCKS)
bcuntly, the Foreign Office told certain reporters the
details which have appoured in the press to ether with information about two navul 、fficers. The Foreign Office have been making what enquiries they can without any success so far.
Before any of this information is made public, the foll wing parties must be consulted:
Hr. Jeffrey Gordon, (brother to Eric)
71, hertford kd.,
Bast Finchely, N.c.
TJJor 8547
Mr. George Fottle (brother-in-law)
bl, Bedster Gardens,
Hearst Fark,
West Lobsey, Surroy. 679-8867
+
+4
+
+
+
FC 1/42.
nu
14
NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
Acorn House, 314/320 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1
Telephone: 01-278 7916
IJO/G
1
1008
James Murray, Esq.,
Far Eastern Department, i
Foreign Office,
LONDON S.W.1.
Fey/42 i Manas
Mr Shankards.
7th May 1968
Enter.
$%
@
Dear Mr. Hurray,
Mr. Bradley is at present away from the office ireland, so I am acknowledging with thanks your letter to him of 6th May. He will, of course, see your letter on his return.
Yours sincerely,
berly tasted
Secretary to Mr. Bradley
General Secretary : H. J. Bradley
Deputy General Secretary: T. D. Lucy
Japan. 14/5
Fel/42
•You
бра
7 May, 1988,
VESPATCHED BY
MUSTER OF STATE'S OFFICE
13
I am replying to your letter of 30 April to Bill Rodgers (who is abroad at the moment) in which you enclosed a letter from Mr. Sam Gordon, one of your constituents, kept a copy of kr. Gordon's letter on our files.
We have
I am afraid that there is very little that I can tell you which would reassure Mr. Eric Gordon's father. The facts in his letter are aterially correct. Mr. Gordon and his family have never been in touch with our Mission in Peking, so we were not well placed to obtain news of him when he disappearēd. In fact we knew nothing of the disappearance until his brother, Mr. Ceffrey Gordon, made enquiries on 1 February. No trace of the Gordons has been.). nd in Hong Kong. Formal requests for information were made to the Chinese "authorities in Peking on 3 February. 12 March and 25 March and they were rezinded frequently. Sir Donald Hopson was instructed a day or two ago to make a further approach in Peking and we have just heard that hiê has done so. We are in clöse touch with ir. Jeffrey Gordon, who has apparently received no reply to letters to highly-placed Chinese officials and enquiries at the Chinese Mission here in London.
In view of the reported detention of other British subjects sympathetic to the Chinese, for example, Mrs. Epstein and ir. Michael Shapiro, we think it probable that the Gordon family are being detained by the 'hinese also.
Martin Haddan, Esq., M.P.
House of Commons, S. W. 1.
/There is
- 2
-
There is some sign of a slight easing of relations with the Chinese, for example, access has been permitted to Mr. Anthony Grey, the Reuters correspondent under house arrest in Peking.
If this trend continues, we may be in a position to do more to help British subjects in detention. We shall continue to press the Chinese about the Gordons and will let you and the family know if there are any developments.
Lrs. Sadie Gordon sent a letter to Her Majesty The Queen in terms similar to those of Mr. Gordon's letter to you The Foreign Office was asked to reply and I enclose a copy of the letter sent to her.
(G.0. ROBERTS)
WEB'L SI 2434
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry Fc1/42.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret.
Secret.
Confidential.
Restricted. Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
DRAFT Letter
To:-
Martin Kaddan, Esq., K.P. House of Commons, S.W.1
•
In Confidence
Type 1 +
From
Mr. Roberts
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
Kr. and Mrs. Eric Gordon
Kre.
I am replying to your letter of 30 April
Alisond of the kinwat
to Bill Rodgers (who is out of the country) in
+
DESPATCHED which you enclosed a letter from Mr. Sam Gordon,
Enclosures
1.
Original of
Mr. Gordon's
letter to be
returned.
2.
Copy of Mr.
5*
Roberts' letter
to Hrs. Gordon.
one of your constituenta. We have kept a copy
of Mr. Gordon's letter on our fiels.
I am afraid that there is very little that
I can tell you which would reassure Mr. Eric
Gordon's father. The facts in his letter are
facts
materially correct. Mr. Gordon and his family
have never been in toúch with our Mission in
Peking, so that we were not well placed to obtain
news of him when he/disappeared.
In fact we
knew nothing of the disappearance until his
brother, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, made enquiriee on
1 February. No trace of the Gordons has been
found in Hong Kong. Formal requests for infor-
mation were madd to the Chinese authorities in
Peking on 3 February, 12 March and 25 March, jand they were reminded frequently. Sir Donald
Hopson was instructed a day or two ago to make
further approach in Peking and we have just Lean Hast
he has done so. We are
poesired confin
in close touch with Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, who has
apparently received no reply to letters to
highly-placed Chinese officials and enquiries
at the Chinese Mission here in London.
/In view
In view of the reported detention of other
British subjects sympathetic to the Chinese,
for example, Mrs. Epstein and Mr. Michael
Shapiro, we think it probable that the Gordon
family are being detained by the Chinese also.
There is some sign of a slight easing of
relations with Chinese, for example, access
has been permitted to Mr. Anthony Grey, the
Reuters correspondent under house arrest in
Peking. If this trend continues, we may be
in a position to do more to help British
subjects in detention.
shall continue to
press the Chinese about the Gordons and will
let you and the family know if there are any
developments.
Mrs. Sadie Gordon sent a letter to H.K.
The Queen in terms similar to those of
Mr. Gordon's letter to you. The Foreign Office
sent to her.
was asked to reply and I enclose a copy of the letter
er
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
F41/42
+
12
DESPATCHED BY
MINISTER OF STATE'S O.FICE
7 May, 1968.
@
I am replying to your letter of 20 April to Her Majesty The Queen in which you enquired about your son, Mr. Eric Gordon, and his family.
I am afraid I cannot add to what we have already said to your son Jeffrey. We have made repeated attempts to obtain news from the Chinese. orricial requests for information were made on 3 February, 12 March and 25 March, in addition to repeated reminders by telephone. Sir Donald Hopson, the British Chargé d'Affaires in Peking, was instructed to make a further approach to the Chinese a day or two ago and we have just heard that, he has done so.
Unfortunately since your son never got in touch with our Mission in Peking, it was difficult for us to know what might have happened to him when it became clear he had not arrived in Hong Kong. In fact, the first we heard that he might be detained was from Jeffrey.
We have some reason to hope that relations with China may be improving. You probably read in the newspapers that Sir Donald Hopson had been able to visit"tr. Grey, the Reuters correspondent now under house arrest in Peking. We hope that if relations move slowly back to normal we shall be able to do more to help your son and his family as well as other British subjects in difficulties in China.
Meanwhile, I can assure you that we are continuing to do all we can to get news of him.
(G.0. ROBERTS)
Mrs. Sadie Gordon.
22. Westbourne Gardens,
Hove
SUSSEX.
BNS 5PP
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
KEMETS KOMA
Registry No.
F21/42
DRAFT
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret
Secret.
Confidential,
Restricted.
Unclassified
To:-
Mrs. Sadie Gordon,
22 Westbourne Gardene,
Hove,
Sussex, BN3 5PP.
PRIVACY MARKING
-In Confidence
2
Type 1 +
From
Mr. Roberts
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
Extra copy to
go with Mr.
Roberts' letter
to Mr. Madden
I am replying to your letter of 26 April
to Her Majesty The Queen in which you enquired
about your son, Mr. Eric Gordon, and his family
I'm afraid I can't add to what belave we were alread are already in close touch with your suid to your son Jeffery.
aon, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, and there is nothing-
"SPATCHED By the Chinese.
4
STATES CFFICE
I can add to what he had already been told.
We
have made repeated attempts to obtain news from
Official re-uests for information
were made on 3 February, 12 March and 25 March,
in addition to repeated reminders by telephone.
Sir Donald Hopson, the British Chargé d'Affaires
in Peking, was instructed to make a further
approach to the Chinese a day or two ago and
hears Haut
we have just pessiv
unfortunately.
ation he has done gut
so. ¡Since your son was never in touch with our
it was difficult for up
Mission in Peking, w
lot well placed to
know what might have happened to him when it
became clear he had not arrived in Hong Kong.
sa beand
In fact, the first Indication we received that
he might be detained was from your other son,
,
Jeffrey. Gorden
We have some reason to hope that relatione
with China may be improving. You probably read
in the newspapers that Sir Donald Hopson had been
able to visit Mr. Grey, the Reuters correspondent
now under house arrest in Peking. We hope that
if relations move slowly back to normal we shall
be able to do more to help your son and his
/family
family as well as other British subjects in
difficulties in China.
Hemskule, lean amiest you that we are
Kaanwhile, please rest assured that we
combinuing to do all we can to get news of him.
shall godt inu
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
9- MAY 1968
bir. Arbuthnott
FC 1/42
Frobable Detention of Kr. Eric Gordon
and his Family
10
Flag A
I attach draft replies to letters from Mr. Gordon's
@ .
Flag B
mother to H.M. The Queen and from Mr. Martin Maddan, M.P.,
who enclosed a letter from Mr. Gordon's father.
Flag C 2.
My submission of 1 May gives the background on the
Gordons.
Humay
(James Murray)
6 May, 1968
Bd (4206)
1
·
I
F41/42
!
Reference.....
W (10
I attach a letter addressed to Her Majesty The Queen by Mrs. Sadie Gordon of 22 Westbourne Gardens, Hove Sussex asking for news about her Son Eric, his Wife and Son aged 11.
2. You will see from the Buckingham Falace Private Secretary's Office stamp that Mrs. Gordon has been informed that her letter has been passed to the Foreign Office.
3. I understand that you are already dealing with this case, so I am sending it to you for entry and action by Far Eastern Department.
Mr. J.D.I. Boyd,
Rine Enture
(R. McEntire) (Miss)
Protocol & Conference
Department,
Room 409,
Charles House.
Far Eastern Department,
Room 86A,
Foreign Office,
Downing Street.
enter einmediz
3/5
110
PRIVATE SECRETARY'S OFFICE BUCKING ATA PACE
3 0 APR 1968
Walter I formed that letter
being forwarded to
oneign offers.
22, Westbourne Gardens,
AK
Hove..
9- MAY 1968
мех
26
F21/427
Your Majesty,
ssex, BN3. 5PP.
April, 1968.
you could
could please
I wonder whether
instrust someone to advise me what to
do
ступни
my
where to enquire
eleven, as
вона,
aged
or write, about Erie, his wife, and sou
they have been in Peking
for three years,
and I have not
had a letter from them for six mouths
I do not know what has g
and now
happened to them.
OL
They said that they would get cargol boat from Hong Kong in
November, 1967;
but
my
other s
sou,
went to the Foreign Office a few
and they
weeks
my
ago,
said that son, Eric and his family, did not cross the border into blong kong the The Foreign Office also asked.
2.
Chinese Government about Eric and his family, but they did not-then-
receive
My
any reply. other son,
has also been to the
Chinese Embassy several times since March, and could not get any satisfaction from them!
My
Som
Eric, said he would write
letter from Hong Kong before getting
the bost, and as
they have not written, something must have happened. They used to write regularly every week. until the end of October, 1967. They were not casual about letter writing, and knew I worried about them; so something must b stop writing like that.
I
wrong
to make them
my
som Erie
am afraid that and his family must have been detained by the Chinese Goverment reporter in England, and worked in a publishing office in China His wife, Marie, taught English to
He was
امه
English.
pupils who already knew some
My Son and his wife did not speak Chinese, although they learned
•hilst living there. My Grandson learned the language there; very well,
I believe.
a little
son or his
.
I do not think that my family would do anything wrong or break any of the Chinese regulations. They always asked permission for whatever they wished to do. If they wished to visit another part of China during a holiday, they asked permission, and if
permission was
attempt to
was refused, they did not
Eric did not criticiss yo China in letters, and we did not write anything against Chine; so no ofault could have been found with letters if anyone else read them.
I keep wondering about Eric and his of amily, and thinking that they must have been detained by the Chinese,
as others have been?
Do
you
think that the Government could ask the Chinese
L
Government about family, again
I am sorry
?
son and his
шу
that this is suc
long letter, and for taking up your
time.
Thank-you very much indeed.
Yours Sincerely,
Sadie Gordon. (Mrs.)
[
+
D.="
F42
7.
A.
6/5
FOREIGN OFFICE, B.V.1.
6 May, 1968.
@
пригор
In Mr. Rodgers' abpence in Strasbourg, I am replying to your letter I3076 of 25 Abril about Mr. Oray and Mr. Eric Gordon and his family.
You will know from Mr. Rodgers' letter of 29 April that Sir Donald Hopson has now seen Kr. Grey. We are, of course, contiming our efforts to secure his release. Now that there has been some development in the case, we consider that continua- tion of efforts through the diplomatic channel offers the best prospect of progress.
le share your concern about Mr. Eric Gordon and his family. We first heard of their disappearance from Kr. Gordon's brother on 1 February. Mr. Gordon himself has never been in touch with our Mission in Peking in any way. His brother told us that relatives in England had received no letters from the family, who were normally good correspondents, since the end of Gotober.
Te made enquiries in Hong Kong, which confirmed that there was no record of the family having passed through there and, on 3 February, our Mission in Peking asked the Chinese authorities for information about their whereabouts. Despite repeated reminders, no reply has yet been received.
Other foreigners in the "Friendship_Hostel" where the family lived in Peking, had not heard that the Gordons were in diffi- culties with the authorities and had assumed that they had left China as they intended. Their continuing silence, however, and the Chinese failure to provide information both suggest that they have been detained. If Mr. Gordon did indeed have notes and photographe for a book, this may in prezent circumstances have aroused Chinese suspicions.
for information, though recent experience in other cases gåvan no ground for expecting that we shall find anything out quickly.
The position of British subjects you have mentioned and of others also detained in China are a cmise of constant conesra to us. I can assure you that we are doing all we can to obtain information about, and consular access to them. Indeed, as you know, Mr. Rodgers saw the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires on 5 April to express our concern and dissatisfaction. We still believe, however, that for the present our best chance of success in
/t:.rough
I. J. Bradley, Esq.,
General Secretary,
National Union of Journalists,
Acorn House,
314/320 Gray's Inn Road,
London, .C.1.
through a general improvement in Anglo-Chinese relations. The visit to Mr. Grey and the granting of an exit visa to the family of one of the members of our Mission staff are both signs of some slight improvement; and of course we shall do our utmost to follow this up.
(James Murray) Far Eastern Department
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
DEGREE TORRAA
Registry No.
F41/42
DRAFT
Letter
To:-
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret,
Secret.
Confidential
Restricted.
Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
"In Cooldende
H. J. Bradley, Esq., General Secretary,
National Union of
Journalists,
Acorn House,
314/320 Grey's Inn Road,
London, W.0.1.
Type 1 +
@
From
Munay
Telephone No. & Ex.
Department
In Mr Rodgers
Thank you for your letter IJO/G of
chance in Strabony 25 April about Mr. Grey and Mr. Erde Gordon I am reflying
后
and his family.
The Andpust of 24 Appl
Looms
Love will Lown from We are very pleased that Sir Donald Hopson
bee at lost been allowed to seekMr. Grey, and
relieved that in spite of a long period of-
virtual colitary confinement he ie in good
health and overdiag
We are, of cou
to bie ieoletien ee
of course, continuing our efforts to
his
secure a Greyle release. Now that there has
been some development in the case, we consider
that continuation of efforts through the
diplomatic channel offers the best prospect of
progress.
We share your concern about Mr. Eric
Gordon and his family. We first heard of their
disappearance from Mr. Gordon's brother on
1 February- Hr. Gordon himself has never been
in touch with our Mission in Peking in any way.
His brother told us that relatives in England
had received no lettere from the family, who were
normally good correspondente, since the end of
October.
We made enquiries in Hong Kong, which
confirmed that there was no record of the family
having passed through there and, on 3 February,
our Mission in Feking asked the Chinese
/authorities
authorities for information about their
whereabouts. Despite repeated reminders, no
reply has yet been received.
Other foreigners in the "Friendship
Hostel" where the family lived in Peking, had
not heard that the Gordons were in difficulties
with the authorities and had assumed that they
had left China as they intended. Their con-
tinuing silence, however, and the Chinese
failure to provide information both suggest
that they have been detained. If Mr. Gordon
did indeed have notes and photographs for a
book, this may in present circumstances have
aroused Chinese suspicions. We shall continue
to press for information, though recent experience
in other cases gives no ground for expecting
that we shall find anything out quickly.
The position of British subjects you have
mentioned and of others also detained in
China are a cause of constant concern to us.
I can assure you that we are doing all we can
to obtain information about, and, consular
as you kuni, Mi hashgan access to them. Indeed, saw the Chinese
4
Chargé d'Affaires on 5 April to express our
concern and digeatiefaction.
We
Ship believe,
however, that your beat chance of success is through a general improvement in Anglo-Chinese
relations. The visit to Mr. Grey and the
granting of an exit visa to the family of one
of the members of our Mission staff are both
signs of some slight improvement;
our utmost to follow this up.
And I cans)
shall do A
They
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Fell42 D.-Pria: 615
FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.1.
6 May, 1968.
8
In Mr. Rodgers' abgence in Strasbourg, I am replying to your letter of 26 April about your brother, Mr. Brie Gordon, and his family who have disappeared in China.
do first heard of the disappearanos of Mr. Eric Gordon on ↑ February from your other brother, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon. Baving confirmed from Hong Kong that there was no record of Mr. Eric Gordon and his family having entered the Colony, the British Chargé d'Affaires in Teking asked the Chinese authorities for information about the family's whereabouts on 3 February. Despite repeated reminders, the Chinese have so far failed to give us any information.
7
Te shall contime our efforts to obtain information about him and his family, but in spite of our recent muccess in obtaining access to Kr. Anthony Grey, the Reuters corres- pondent, about which you may have read in the press, I fear that - on the basis of our experience in other caseS cannot hold out any great hope that information will be forthcoming soon.
I
Miss Linda Gordon,
22 Westbourne Gardena,
Hove,
Sussex, B 3 SPF.
(James Murray) Far Eastern Department
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
GENIS KELAA
Registry No.
F21/42
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret.
Secret
Confidential,
Restricted,
Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
DRAFT Letter
To:-
Miss Linda Gordon,
22 Westbourne Gardens,
Hove, Sussex
BN3 5PP.
Type 1 +
8
From
M. Roger Murray
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
In Mr Rulgus
alssance in Strasburg,
I am
are refly my
+
Thank you for your letter of 26 April
about your brother, Kr. Eric Gordon, and his
family who have disappeared in China.
We first heard of the disappearance of
Mr. Eric Gordon on 1 February from your other
brother, Er. Jeffrey Gordon. Having confirmed
from Hong Kong that there was no record of
Mr. Eric Gordon and his family having entered
the Colony, the British Chargé d'Affaires in
Peking asked the Chinese authorities for
information about the family's whereabouts
on 3 February. Despite repeated reminders,
the Chinese have so far failed to give us any
information.
We shall continue our efforts to obtain
information about him and his family, but in
spite of our recent success in obtaining access
to Mr. Anthony Grey, the Reuters correspondent,
(I had hab thank
about which you will have read in the press,
on the basis of our experience in other cases
I cannot hold out any great hope that
information will be forthcoming soon.
dhe 6 Rang
1.5.
CONFIDENTIAL
RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES No.31
Стра
Kr. Wilkinson
Mr. Samuel
8- MAY 1968
Flag A
Flag E
Flag C
6
ROBABLE DETENTION OF MR. ERIC GORDON
AND FAMILY
Kr. H. J. Bradley, the General Secretary of the National
Union of Journalists, and Miss Linda Gordon, Mr. Gordon's
sister, have both written asking for information about the
Gordon family. I attach, as requested, draft replies from
Mr. Rodgers.
BACKGROUND
The Gordon Family
2. Mr. Gordon, who reportedly worked for the Chinese Foreign
Languages Press and at some stage as a freelance journalist,
never had any contact with our Mission.
We first learned of
his disappearance and that of his family from an enquiry made
by his brother, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, on 1 February. He informed
us that the family had been due to leave China early in
November, and no news had been received since October.
Sinoe
they were regular correspondents, their relatives in Britain
were concerned at so long a silence.
3. As a result of this enquiry we asked Peking and Hong Kong, through which the family was to travel, to make investi- gations about their whereabouts (telegram No. 121 to Peking). Hong Kong confirmed that they had no trace of the family's having entered Hong Kong. On 3 February Peking asked the Chinese authorities for assistance in discovering the family's
/whereabouts
E
CONFIDENT IAL
CONFIDENTIAL
- 2 -
Flag
Flag E
ATT.
Flag F
Flag G
AFT (W7
whereabouts (Peking telegram No. 102). No reply was
received, but enquiries in the "Friendship Hostel", where the Gordon family had lived while in Feking, indicated that,
although Mr. Gordon had been a political activist, other
"foreign friends" resident in the hostel had no knowledge
of his detention (Mr. Hunter's letter of 12 February to
Mr. Wilson).
4.
-
-
When no further news was received Peking do not
report the telephonic reminders which they make when the Chinese have failed to reply to a formal Note we asked them on 12 March for any available information and again on 25 March, after Mr. Jeffrey Gordon had told us that he believed his brother to have been making notes in preparation
for writing a book when he left China.
5. There has still been no reply to requests for information. The case was raised by Mr. Rodgers when he summoned the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires, ad interim, on 5 April. Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, with whom Far Eastern Department are in close
touch, has confirmed that relatives in Britain have been
unable to obtain any information from the Office of the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires in London, and have not been allowed to see the Chargé d'Affaires. Lettera written to
senior officials of the Chinese Government remain unanswered.
6. The silence of the Chinese authorities, viewed together
with the sudden cessation of letters to relatives and the report from Hong Kong that they have no trace of the Gordon
/family's
CONFIDENTIAL
1
CONFIDENTIAL
- 3-
family's having entered the Colony, makes it almost certain
that the family is detained in China. It must be remembered
that other "foreign friends" - Mrs. Epstein and Mr. Shapiro
are known to have been detained. It is unlikely that
Mr. Gordon would have been critical of the régime, but his
preparations for writing a book might tell against him. He
might also possibly have been involved with a Chinese in the
information or cultural field who has been disgraced.
There
7. We have now sent a further telegram to Peking asking
them to make another formal request for information.
is little likelihood that any reply will be received from the
Chinese. We can only hope that the slight improvement in
Anglo-Chinese relatione, illustrated by the agreement to a
visit to Mr. Grey and the issue of some entry visas for our
staff may lead to some progress.
Mr. Grey
8.
Mr. Bradley asks if there is anything the National Union
of Journalists could usefully do to help Mr. Grey.
We are
discussing with Peking and Hong Kong what further action can
be taken on Mr. Grey's behalf, and a submission will be
prepared. I think, however, that action should continue
through diplomatic channels. We should, therefore, discourage
Hr. Bradley from contemplating any initiatives by the National
Union of Journalists.
CONFIDENTIAL
Jauns Muray.
(James Murray) 1 May, 1968
Philkinson
May1.
2
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A
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of last week.
We must
..
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follows it of
Mr Rodgers' is back on
13 May
In his absence, The Roadgers' office have sent back
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The Deser
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Mr Shary
16 Mary
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Toy Copy entered KO.
RESTRICTED
LIPHER/CAT A
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IMMEDIATE FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING
TELNO 121 1 FEBRUARY, 1968
WITH (7)
10°
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
21 FEB 53
F23/21
(KO/GORDON E)
RESTRICTED
ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NUMBER 121 OF 1 FEBRUARY REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG
P
BROTHER ANXIOUS ABOUT WHEREABOUTS OF ERIC GORDON, AGE 36, WHO WITH WIFE MARIE AND SON KIM AGE 11, WERE DUE TO LEAVE PEKING FOR U.K. AT END OF OCTOBER, GORDON HAD BEEN IN PEKING SINCE FEBRUARY 1965 ON CONTRACT TO THE PEKING STATE PUBLISHING HOUSE. HE IS ALSO A FREELANCE JOURNALIST. FAMILY WERE TO TRAVEL TO HONG KONG AND PLANNED TO SPEND TWO DAYS EACH AT CANTON AND SHANGHAI. GORDON'S ADDRESS IN PEKING WAS FLAT 8642, P.0. BOX 300, PEKING. RELATIVES RECEIVES MAIL REGULARLY BUT HAVE HAD NO NEWS SINCE 28 OCTOBER.
2.
PLEASE JNVESTIGATE AND REPORT.
·
SOSFA
FILES
CONSULAR DEPT.
FHC
:
I
109.
RESTRICTED
p.a.
Seemly
+
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RECEIVED IN [ARCHIVES No.31
109
CONFIDENTIAL
21 FEB 1968
.Cypher/Cat.A
PEKING TO
FOREIGN OFFICE
F23/21
Telno. 102
3 February 1968
108
CONFIDENTIAL
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 102
of 3 February.
Repeated for information to Hong Kong.
Your telegram No. 121:,
Gordon.
We are asking Kinistry of Foreign Affairs by
Note for assistance in discovering whereabouts of family. We have assumed that Gordon is a British subject, although to best of our recollection he was not registered with us and made no contact with us while in Peking.
2.
It may be possible to discover relevant information from other foreigners working under similar contracts in Peking.
We no longer have any direct contact with this community, but will try to pass word through diplomatic colleagues who do.
3.
Hong Kong will no doubt confirm that he has not crossed the border
Foreign Office pass Hong Kong 61.
Sir D. Hopson
[Repeated as requested]
FILES
Consular Dept.
LA1
ALF.
108
NEZI
110
REP.
P.a. Sen will
SSSSS
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
Sharland
Fitr.
8/5
ப
NEXI
kt.
109
Dear David,
109
Office of the British
Charge d'Affaires,
PEKING.
12 February, 1968
¡ARCH9V-> No.5 :
2J FEB 1968
F23/21
Please refer to our telegram No. 102 or 3 February answering your enquiry about the disappearance of Eric Gordon (I assume that you are dealing with this; if not I should be grateful if you would pass this letter on).
2. Ray Whitney had occasion a few days ago to speak with Hr. K.B. Pradhan, a Nepáli who, I understand, is known to you and who lives in the Friendship Hostel, where it turna out that Gordon also lived while he was in Peking (this is consistent with the address given in your telegram No. 121 Pradhan seemed convinced that Gordon had left Chine, and that if Gordon had been arrested he would have heard of it.
5. He also said that when Gordon was in Peking he had been very much a political activist. He was a leading sticker up of posters and Pradhan's last recollection of him is of his putting up his last poster (named as such). You will understand why, if we discover that he is in trouble, we shall regard him as having brought it largely on himself. But we shall of course continue to put out feelers to try and discover the whereabouts of him and his family.
I am copying this letter to Emrys Davies in Hong Kong.
Yours ever
(A. J. Hunter)
D. C. Wilson, Esq.,
Far Easter Department.
CONFIDENTIAL
↓
J
J
dDd.
F2312
$13
CONFIDENZIAL
124
FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.1.
12 Karch, 1968.
Thank you for your letter PEK/5 of 12 February to David Wilson about the disappearance of Eric Gordon. I have shown your letter to Consular Department, who of course are also interested.
2. I realise that it is extremely difficult for you to obtain information at the present time but should be grateful if you would let me know if you manage to discover anything more positive about his whereabouts or those of his family.
A.J. Hunter, Esq..
PEKING.
(E.J. Sharland)
CONFIDENTIAL
+
Re
RE 62%
T
F2-3/21.
а
a (12)
CONFIDENTI AL
TOP COPY
KECEIVED IN
CYPHER SAT A
PRTORITY FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING
TELNO 289 25 MARCH, 1968
CONFIDENTIAL
ARCHIVES No.
20 MAR
(F)
ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NO 289 OF 25 MARCH REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG
HUNTER'S LETTER PEK/5 OF 12 FEBRUARY TO WILSON: GORDON. GORDON'S FAMILY ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY CONCERNED ABOUT GORDON HIS WIFE AND CHILD. THEY HAVE RECEIVED NO NEWS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, HIS BROTHER CONFIRMS THAT HE WAS MAKING NOTES AND TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS TO WRITE A BOOK WHEN HE HAD LEFT CHINA. THIS INCREASES THE CHANCES THAT HE HAS BEEN DETAINED.
2. UNLESS YOU SEE OBJECTIONS, PLEASE APPROACH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES AND ASK IF THEY HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WHEREABOUTS.
SOSFA
FILES
FAR EASTERN DEPT.
CONSULAR DEPT.
CONFIDENT AL
fe
9/
ALSO ZAZZLED FC 13/13/03:
ENTELED
NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
Acorn House, 314/320 Gray's Inn Road, London WC ARCHIV-SN Telephone: 01-278 7916
RECEIVED IN
8-MAY 1968
r
L
nu
6
IJO/G
William Rodgers, Esq., MP,
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State,
Foreign Office,
Downing Street,
LONDON. S.T.L.
Dear Mr. Rodgers,
Fe1/42
25th April 1968
Rec. and Ack 26.4. 7. Domment
fo:
C
A rapideas@.
+213/13/70:
My Council was grateful for your letter of 11th April regarding efforts to obtain access to Mr.Grey as a prelude to his release. It does indeed seem from the news this week that your representations have had some effect for we note that Sir Donald Hopson has been able to visit Mr. Grey.
You will recall that when we discussed this matter with Mr. Brown and yourself the possibility was raised of the Union making some direct representations to try and speed his release. We agreed not to do anything without consultation with the Foreign Office. Do you now think that there is anything we could usefully do?
I am sorry to add to your problems, though I imagine you are also aware of what I am now about to write. This concerns Mr. Eric Gordon, a member of ours, who has been missing in China for nearly six months.
Kr. Gordon, who is a British subject (I think of Jewish origin), aged 36 or 37, went to China with his wife, Mrs. Marie Gordon, a British subject of a Chanese father and English mother, and their son Kim Gordon, aged 12. According to our information the Tamily left Peking on 5th November 1967 for England and have not been heard of since. There is a rumour that they are being "detained" while Mr. Gordon's very extensive notes for a book which he intended writing on the Cultural Revolution in China, are being exhaustively examined. Whether this is so or not I, of course,
not I, of course, have no idea.
I would be grateful for anything the Foreign Office can do to locate the whereabouts of the Gordon family. You will readily understand that the disappearance of a member of ours must be a matter of concern.
Yours sincerely,
H. J. Bradley.
General Secretary.
General Secretary : H. J. Bradley Assistant General Secretary: T. D. Lucy
f
Dear Sir,
AR
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F.E. Dept for draft uply
гору
from the Rodgers please
22, Westbourne Gardeles
#
D IN
ove
ve,.
5
Sussex, BN3.5PP
:... 31 26th April, 1968
8-MAI 108
FC 1/42
I should be obliged if you could please let me
me know whether
немец
any his wife,
you
have
of my brother, Eric Gordon, wife, Marie
Marie, and sou
Kim, aged eleven years, yet?
They have
three years, and were due to leave
been in Peking for
The last
received from them was
early in November, 1967.
letter
we
in October 1967.
Cargoe
get
but there is
Where
no
They intended to boat from Hong Kong,
record of
them
having crossed the border into Hong Kong
a
left by boat from Canton or Shaughan, but it is not likely as they intended
leave vine Hong Kong,
possibility that they
ها
νι
and in
I in any
case they would have writter to us. They used to write regularly every week, I they said they would write from trong Kong before getting on a boat. As they have not written, something must be wrong, something must have happened. They were not casual about letters; they liked writing them, and they knew that mother would wo if she did not hear from them
worry
regularly; and they wrote regularly each week until the end of October,
1967.
We
are afraid that they must have been detained by the Chinese Government.
My other brother, feffrey Gordon, and in-laws, who live in London, have been to the Chinese Embassy,
several times in the last two
the last two months but have been unable to obtain any satisfaction.
My brother, Jeffrey, also went
امه
ما
the Foreign Office
weeks
ago,
feu
and they cubled to the British Chargé D'Affairs Peking asking him to contact the Chinese Foreign Ministry, to try to discover what had happened to Eric, Marie, and Kim; but
was
a
So,
we
WO
reply received from the Chinese:
wonder if you have had reply from China recently. ? Thank-you very much indeed.
PS. My brother was
O
Yours sincerely,
Linda, Gordon (Min)
E.
reporter in
England
in
and worked in a publishing office China. Do think that the Foreign
you
office could ask the Chinese Government
again,
about
my
brother and his family?
RECEIVED IN
AKCHIVES NA 3:
En Clair
F
1/42
4 May 1968
PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Telno 384
UNCLASSIFIED
4
James F
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 384 af 4 May Repeated for information to Hong Kong
Your telegram No. 421 May: Gordon] Paragraph 2.
Action taken.
Sir D. Hopson
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.O. F.E. Dept.
News Dept.
C.0. H.K. Dept.
Consular Dept.
FFFFF
Mr. Jamon
Mr. Myray
byen, beefedential
Reference...
£ LIVED IN AK....... IVES No.3.1 Ak
CHAY 68
FC/42
D. Mppearance of Gordon family
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143
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CONFIDENTIAL
CY: HER/CAT A
RIORITY
TELNO 426
FOREIGN OFFICE TU FERING
1 MAY 1968
CONFIDENTIAL
2
-
(FED)
Jupa 15
ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELNO 426 OF 1 MAY REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO ENG KINH.
YOUR QUARTERLY RETURN OF BRITISH SUBJECTS, PEK/5 OF 8 APRIL1
GORDON.
NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS AS WELL AS THE FAMILY ARE NOW INTERESTED IN CASE.
2. PLEASE MAKE A FURTHER FORMAL REQUEST FOR INFORMATION,
DISI ArThe NTAL LISTRIBUTION
F.U.
F.D.D.
NEWS JAPT.
C.U.
H.K.D.
CONSULAR DSET.
CONFI LENTIAL
I
!
FED
Registry No.
F3/42.
Top Secret
Secret
Confidential
Restricted
Open
Draft.
EMERGENCYÊN IMMEDIATE
PRIORITY ROUTINE
with
-priority
*Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should
·
resth
(Date)
Despatched
without
DEFERRED
[ Security classification
-if any
CONFIDENTIAL
Telegram to:
Peking
[Codeword-if any].
N.........
426.
Address to
PEKING
(Date)...
1.5
telegram No.
42
406
(date)......
+ MAY
And to:-
HONG KONG
repeated for information to...
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Repeat to:-
548
Hong/Kong
し
En Clair.
Code
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Distribution: Departmental F.E.D.
Consular Dept. Hong Kong Dept. News Dept.
Copies to:-
Your quarterly return of British
subjects, PEK/5 of 8 April: Gordon
He
National Union of Journalists as well
Code
28 [family/now interested in case.
2. Please make a further formal request
for information, about-family's-
whereabouts.
May
11302
115/68
(4535) Wr.45573/46 200m 2/64 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.86).
23.5.
Mr. Samuel
CONFIDENTIAL
Flag D
Call of Chinese Chargé d'Affaires on Mr. Rodgers
24 May at 11 a.m.
Since Mr. Murray's submission of 21 Kay we have learned
of the detention of yet another British subject in China: Captain Roy Vincent Pope of a British ship, the "Fortune Wind" (Hong Kong telegram No. 645). The ship's owners, Continental Navigation and Enterprises Ltd. of Hong Kong, were informed of Captain Pope's detention in Tientsin in telegrams from the vessel's Chief Officer and from their
Chinese agents, Penavico.
2. We have asked our Mission in Peking to approach the
Chinese authorities on Captain Pope's behalf, but have not
yet received a reply. I have amended the Speaking Notes
accordingly.
John Denson
(J. B. Denson) 23 May, 1968
CONFIDENTIAL
HOUSE
OF
COMMONS
From Martin Maddan MP
30th April 1968
Да веж
し
Re:
RECEIVED N ARCHIVES No.31 - 2 MAY 1968
F41/42
.
Roc. and Ack. 1.5·
FE Department
for draft reply please.
Mr and Mrs Eric Gordon, Peking
Mr S Gordon, of 22 Westbourne Gardens
Hove, has written to me about his son
Eric who is missing in China. I enclose
his letter to me which is self-explanatory.
I am sure you will understand the father's concern, and I should be most grateful for anything you may be able to find out.
With every good wish,
William Rodgers Esq MP
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State The Foreign Office
Downing Street LONDON SW 1
교
altacht
Photostati
eater immediatel
Jendomés
MAH IS
Dear Sir
22, Westbourne Gdns.
Hove,
Sussex, BN3.5PP.
30th April, 1968.
on
My daughter in writing this I am only partially sighted.
as I are
ate
all &
may
Oshelf
We We have lived in Hove for ten were all born in Manchester.
glish - British Subject.
about
We are all
son, my son,
years.
WE
worried and distressed
appear
very and his family, to be missing in Edina. they are
who
We suspect that being detained. We have not been able to get any news of them, either from the Foreign Office, or from the Chinese Embassy. It has been in the
press, and
News.
the radio and television The Government and the Foreign
Office asked the Chinese Government
son and his family,
about
нау
weeks
ago
адо,
but the
family, a few
they did not receive any
reply from China then, or since then,
+
+
L
·
My son,
wes
A
Eric Gordon, his wife Marie, and their son Kim, aged Eleven years, have been in Peking for three years. My son
reporter in England, and worked in publishing office in Piking, -translating. It is wife taught English to pupils who
already knew some English, until the revolution started, and then she had to stop teaching.
во
My son and his family were due to leave Peking
Sve November, 1967. They intended to travel home by Cargor boat of rom Hongkong. The last letter we had from them was 28th October, 1967. But they did not cross the border into toughong,
record of it.
as there is no
My
other sou
and also in
who lives in London, laws, have visited the
Foreign Office several times divers
the last two months.
ago.
A few weeks
the Foreign Office cabled the British Chargs' D'Affaires in Peking anthorising him to contact the Chinese Imeion Ministry in
attempt to
3.
F
تنا
discover the exact whereabouts of my and his family. So for no reply has been received from China.
other
son
My
and in-laws, have also been to the Chinese Embassy several times, but have not been able to get any news or any satisfaction from them.
Peking for
three
We are afraid that my son and his family have been detained by Chinese, as so many others have been. My son, Srie, wrote regularly from
years. He was
He was not casual about letters, he liked writing, and besides he knows his mothers is a worrier, so ke wrote regularly
so she would not worry. The last lotter we had from him, was the 28th October, 1967. There must be something awfully wrong for him to stop writing so suddenly like that. We have not had a letter for six months. Something must have happened. My said he would write from Houghong
before getting
on this boat, but we have not had any letter. He said that, the jimmermany "iny ・gue beat them thangler.
sou Ever
I
E
1
ت
4-
might take six - eight weeks, but com if it had to take longer, say
he would have written to us.
a
of Ew mouths
sou would not do
I am sure that my anything wrong!
or break any of the Chinese laws and regulations. I am sure hat would not say
he anything against China, or criticise China. He would not knowingly do anything wrong. He always asked permission ofor whatever he wished to do. - If he wished to visit another part of China for a holiday, he would ack permission, and if permission refused, he did not attempt to always obedient.
до
+
ission was
I am sure he was
He did not criticise China in his letters, or write anything against the Em; and we did not write against Colina in our
fault could be found with our
no
letters; so
lettos,
if anyour else read them.
In fact, my son often wrote favourably of China. (My wife has kept his letters). Although, naturally, he missed England, and his family and afriends. My son and his family liked living in Raking, and they liked the Chinese people : they would not say or do anything offensive, or insulting,
autagonistic. My
grandion learned to speak the language very well, and fluently, for his
and is, what the choices
do wd
адет
So, ga
4
+
1
+
5.
against my
SEE how Chinese.
uny
son and his family. I do not son could have offended the If they have detained them,
it must be for nothing, ofor
all.
no reason at
I do not see what reason they
could have.
We are afraid the Chinese must have detained them. We do not see what else could have happened. The thing that could prevent
son from writing, would be that the Chinese
would not let him write:
you
only
us
We would be most grateful for any help, or advice,
could give regarding my son and his family. We do not know what to do, as the Foreign office, and Chinese Embassy have not been able to help. The Government asked the Chinese Government about my son and his
and his family a few week but received no
reply.- Bo
you
ago,
think the
Government should ask the Chinese again, (-Perhaps it is necessary to ask the Chinese more
-) - Do you
than once
you think
it to the Government.?
you could mention
Thank you very much indeed. With Best Wishes,
Yours Sensorle
PS: -$r
+
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