On July 19, 1977, the Governor-General, Sir John Kerr, wrote to the Queen’s private secretary, Martin Charteris, expressing his satisfaction with the retirement facilities being made available to him in London.
Kerr’s retirement had been announced on July 14, along with the naming of Sir Zelman Cowan as his successor.
The retirement of Charteris also took place in November, 1977.
In the letter, Kerr refers approvingly to the provision of an office suite and secretary in London, as well as transport. He says his wife “will be able to commute between London and Paris when she feels like it”.
Kerr attached a number of newspaper editorials and articles commenting on his retirement.
