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Interviewer's Note: My conversation with Michael Moulds took place in Lyon on 5 November 2011, within the framework of the FIAF Oral History Project. The logical continuation of the interview of Karen Jones done by Eileen Bowser in early 2011, it contains additional references for the study of one of FIAF's major cooperative projects. A subsidiary interest of Michael's memories is that they illustrate the work of a craftsman and innovator whose work generously contributed to the fulfillment of the policies and projects defined by the Executive Committee of that period.
When I arrived at the FIAF Secretariat in Brussels in 1995 the P.I. P. was based in London. The merger of the two organizations represented financial savings and centralized administration, and responded to the necessity of integrating its activities, requiring the adoption of ever-evolving new technologies. One of my first major tasks was to work with Michael to integrate the P.I.P. into the structure of the Brussels office. It was a pleasure to recall our numerous meetings in London and Brussels in 1996 and to share this phase of the development of the P.I.P. in Lyon 15 years later.
Michael, if you wish, let's start with your personal background. What souvenirs from your childhood, your teens, your first interests and work, would you like to bring up at this point?
Well, I was born in Harrogate, Yorkshire, and educated at Prince Henry's Grammar School, Otley. My main interest was in sport. I was a good cricketer, and captain of rugby. I got my school certificate at the age of 16, which was normal, and I expected to stay on for the higher certificate. I read James Joyce and Shakespeare, loved music and poetry... However, a teacher approached me in a corridor one day and said that a bank in llkley was looking for somebody to start work as an assistant. I thought this would be something I could tell my parents that would make them laugh... Instead it was the beginning of my working life and the end of my formal education.
At the age of 18, I was conscripted into the [Royal] Air Force. They sent me to Egypt, where I spent 2 years and 3 months, and where I performed office...