5 Minutes With

Clive Matthews

Almost 60 years ago, four young Beckenham lads wondered what life was like outside the borough of Bromley and decided the only way to find out was to drive a Land Rover to India, and then take a boat to Australia. Instead of Bromley High Street, Norman Park and Hayes Common, they would soon be taking in Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, the Golden Temple at Amritsar and the Taj Mahal.

Clive Matthews, his brother Ian, and friends Philip ‘Pip’ Walsh and Brian Gauntlet were all in their early 20s when they had a farewell send-off in October 1964 at the old Greyhound pub in Beckenham. They finally arrived in Australia on 30th January 1965, having sailed close to Bali – a place that was to become very special to Clive in the future, as he reflects: “We’d made it but little did we know then that in just over a year we’d all be married and that 40 years later we’d all still be living in Melbourne.” Clive married Benny in April 1966 and they had three daughters. He didn’t return to Britain until 1986. We caught 5 minutes (via email!) with him to find out a bit more about his amazing adventure…

What made you want to go on your incredible journey?

The four of us used to congregate at the old Greyhound Pub Mark 2. Along with 15 others we discussed travelling. Eventually, just the four of us were left. We had been a little disillusioned by Britain as it was and being young wanted something else.

Do you still keep up with what’s happening in Beckenham and Bromley?

I am a member of Beckenham Appreciation Group and Bromley and Beckenham group, so I keep abreast of events. I do post there too.

Which schools did you go to?

I attended Balgowan and Churchfield primaries, then moved to Alexandra High in Penge. Subsequently, I passed an exam to attend Springhill College, London Lane Bromley (now Bromley College).

What did you do for entertainment back then?

The Greyhound Pub was the gathering place from where we organised activities like car rallies, hitch hiking challenges and camping weekends. I went to the White Hart Pub in Bromley most Tuesdays for Jazz evenings.

You had planned to go back to Britain – what do you think you would have done had you returned?

Despite our round-the-world plan, we all soon found girlfriends and had good jobs. Conditions in Australia were brilliant and bosses called me "Clive" not just "Matthews". We soon abandoned the rest of our journey.

How often do you come back to England?

I did not return to UK until 22 years after arriving in Australia. Since then, I have been a regular visitor on nine occasions.

Do you miss anything about Beckenham/ Bromley?

I miss lots but mostly the lovely pubs, the friendliness within and the focal point of social life. I also miss the countryside, villages, different accents as you journeyed across Britain. And of course, my parents and young brother Rod, who lives in Cardiff.

What happened to the Land Rover you travelled in (‘The Greyhound’)?

‘Greyhound’, our faithful motor, was sold once we decided to remain in Australia. The new owner was going to go to London with it, but we never saw it again.

The Ashes – Australia or England?

The Ashes, always England!

What advice would you give to someone today who is in their early 20s and has got ‘itchy feet’?

I would advise every young person to take time out, travel and see how others live. Our lives are relatively short but now the world is open, technology has made travel so much easier than in my day, so when you are young just do it. Certainly, I have prospered as a person because of that decision in 1963.

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