Shantibhai Gordhanbhai Patel

English transcript of his story

Birth

Shantibhai was born in India on 4th April 1932. Father’s name Gorthabhai Patel and Mother’s name Vimlaben Patel.

Education
I gained primary and secondary education in Sojitra (India). I gained my B. Com. Degree in 1957 at Vidya Nagar.

I worked for High School for one year, during this time I got married to my wife Bhartiben from Karamsad. Four years later after the birth of my daughter Jayshree and son Davendra I moved to Uganda and got a job in a National bank.

In 1972 President of Uganda, Idi Amin, announced that all Asians who were not Ugandan Citizens were to leave the country in ninety days. There were approximately 27,000 Asians effected.

We Arrived in UK in August 1972 and I immediately got a job with accommodation and £14 wages. My wife also joined me to work for the Stewart Plastic factory.

Six months later my friend from Loughborough, the late Mr Ambalal Patel came to visit me. He persuaded me to go to Loughborough with him, he said I would be more comfortable in the countryside with him. The next Monday he took me to Herbert Morris and arranged for me to take up the job of a security officer.
He also arranged rental accommodation for my family in Cartwright Street. I later Purchased the freehold of this house. My children Jayesh and Sandhia attended Garendon Secondary School and Burliegh Community College. In 1982 I decided to start a business in King Street grocery with an off license.

I carried on with my job while my wife ran the shop. My two children took up the business when my wife suffered from a
stroke. They both worked very hard and kept the business running.

After some time my wife passed away in the year 2000. I have now retired and do voluntary social and community work. I have been honoured for the services that I provide for the community.