Abstract: The volume contains a chronological list of brief summaries of papers relating to the activities of the Indian Expeditionary Force D (also known as the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force) between 1 and 15 July 1917. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: telegrams, letters, tables, and memoranda, containing instructions and reports.An index to the contents of this volume can be found at folios 3-13 and a summary of the contents can be found at folio 14. The volume mostly relates to:Reinforcements and labour requirements of Force DSupplies for Force D, including: coal, animals, river craft, fodder, land transport, rations, weapons, ammunition, and timberLists of sick and wounded soldiersStaff appointments and recruitment processesUpdates from the Euphrates line, especially at Sinn-al-Zibban [Qaryat Sinn adh Dhibban]Plans to cut Turkish [Ottoman] telegraph linesTurkish forces: movements; intelligence from deserters; potential financial difficulties; and distributions for week ending 12 July (ff 146-147)Russo-Turkish operations near Bistan [Bestane], Penjvin [Baynjiwayn] and in the Caucasus regionDiscussions about the suitability of locomotive engines supplied by the Federate Malay StatesReports on railway and river traffic, as well as on railway constructionDiscussions about the responsibility and functions of the Financial Adviser to the General Officer Commanding, Force D, and about financial administration of Force D in generalReports from the Royal Flying CorpsDiscussions about the establishment of a Civil Administration in Mesopotamia, especially at Baghdad, and how that body would work with Her Majesty’s Government and the General Officer Commanding, Force DDiscussions about reinforcements required for Force D to hold their position in the Baghdad Vilayet and the implications of this regarding other troops potentially being sent to EgyptIntelligence regarding a conference at Aleppo, attended by high-level German and Turkish military commanders, concerning a potential offensive on the Syrian and Mesopotamian frontsPotential for Russian troops to withdraw from Northern Persia [Iran]Intelligence about the status and plans of Turkish and German troops in Baalbek, Syria, Palestine, and Mesopotamia.The volume also contains:Distribution and composition of Force D, including details of: lines of communication units; general organisation; units captured at Kut-al-Amarah [Al-Kut]; and names of General Officers and Brigade Commanders (ff 15-34)Appreciations [reports] from the Directorate of Military Operations summarising the situation in Mesopotamia on 1 July (ff 40-41), 8 July (ff 118-119), and 15 July (ff 217-220)Distribution of troops for Force D on 3 June (f 50) and 17 June (ff 135-139)Two diaries of information from 9 June (ff 70-78) and 16 June (ff 181-192) covering: climate and floods; aviation; inland water transport; local produce; medical affairs; and river conservancy mattersJoint report (ff 198-201) by Messrs Keatinge, Langer and Angell, regarding outstanding indents [official orders for goods], in response to a note by the Chief Store-keeper, Mesopotamian Railway. The report is forwarded with comments by Thomas Ryan, Secretary, Indian Munitions Board (ff 196-198).Whilst the volume contains copies of earlier material dating from April 1917 onwards, the bulk of the material dates from July 1917.Physical description: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 222; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 3-220; these numbers are printed and are located in the bottom centre of the recto side of each folio.Dimensions: 21 x 33cm
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence in the form of letters, memoranda and telegrams related to the supply of overprinted stamps of Mesopotamia/Iraq. The main issues discussed in the volume are the following:The question of whether to continue using the overprinted Turkish stamps after the declaration of peace or notThe currency to be adopted in Mesopotamia and the preparation of new designs for postage and revenue stampsThe required supply of overprinted Turkish stamps to the Civil Post Office in BaghdadBradbury, Wilkinson and Company, Limited to provide the monthly supply of the overprinted stampsHarrison and Sons Limited to provide the overprinted Ottoman Government envelopes and reply letter cards/postal stationeryThe increase of charges on printing stamps and currencyThe reopening of the Turkish civil post office at Mosul Vilayet [province]The question of which overprint to use on the available Turkish stampsThe arrangement of four sets of stamps of each variety to be sent to His Majesty King George V, the Imperial War Museum, and to the General Post OfficeThe request of certain stamp dealers to buy parcels of the overprinted stamps of Mesopotamia.The main correspondents in the volume are: John Evelyn Shuckburgh; the Civil Commissioner, Baghdad; the Foreign Office; Bradbury, Wilkinson and Company, Limited; Harrison and Sons Limited; the Imperial War Museum; the General Post Office, London; and a number of stamp dealers such as, Edwin Healey and Company and Whitfield King and Company.This volume consists of four parts. Each part includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 342; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence in the form of letters and telegrams related to the temporary administration of Baghdad Vilayet [province] and the question of the type of postage stamps to be used for the civil post office at Baghdad during the British occupation. The correspondence is particularly related to a small supply of Turkish stamps that was found in Baghdad after the Ottoman troops left the city. The British Government proposed to issue these stamps with the overprint 'Baghdad under British Occupation.' The volume includes correspondence with stamp printing firms and publishers to provide lists of the Turkish stamps and their values. The volume also includes correspondence between Buckingham Palace and the India Office arranging for a collection of the overprinted Turkish stamps to be sent to His Majesty King George V. Another set of stamps and envelopes was also kept aside in order to use it in an exhibition at the National/Imperial War Museum, London. The main correspondents in the volume are: John Evelyn Shuckburgh; Sir Percy Zachariah Cox, the Civil Commissioner, Baghdad; the Viceroy of India's Foreign Department; the Foreign Office; the Government of India's Department of Commerce and Industry; Harrison and Sons Limited; and Bradbury, Wilkinson and Company, Limited.The volume includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 272; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.