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73. ‘File 28/57 I Volunteers for national service’
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume comprises applications made by individuals in Bahrain (chiefly employees of the Bahrain Petroleum Company, BAPCO) to undertake military service in time of war, and correspondence between the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman) and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Geoffrey Prior) over official policy towards volunteers for military duty. Besides the Political Agent at Bahrain and the Political Resident, the other principal correspondent in the volume is the Chief Local Representative for BAPCO (John S Black; Roger Anthony Kennedy).The volume includes:letters from or letters concerning numerous individuals, most of whom are BAPCO employees, and are either applying for military service or offering their services (including medical and engineering expertise) to the British Government. Many letters contain résumés, medical certificates and employment references. The letters are dated either from September 1939 (on the event of the declaration of war in Europe) or from June 1940 (the commencement of hostilities in Europe);correspondence between a range of Government officials, military officials and BAPCO representatives, concerning: the release and departure of individuals from employment in Bahrain; enquiries after their suitability, and copies of testimonials and medical certificates; details of the military commission of individuals; the granting of exit permits by the Political Agent to individuals to leave Bahrain for military service (as well as for other reasons, such as relocation on the grounds of ill-health, transfer of office, leave);correspondence, papers and official notices relating to Government policy on British subjects wishing to volunteer for military service, in Britain and in India (ff 72-74, ff 151-155, ff 164-170, ff 295-298, ff 320-324);correspondence between the Political Agent and Political Resident, dated June 1940, concerning: the deteriorating situation in Europe; the possible application in Bahrain of the British Compulsory Service Act; the attitude of British BAPCO workers in Bahrain; the prospects of a manpower shortage at the BAPCO refinery should British subjects volunteer for military service; plans for the replacement of BAPCO’s British employees with men from the United States; the reluctance of most men requesting leave for military service to carry out their service in India (ff 94-110, ff 118-120).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 345; 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 mixed foliation/pagination sequence is also present in parallel between ff 5-341; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
74. ‘File 28/57-V Defence Regulation No. 2 of 1942 (Working of)’
- Description:
- Abstract: The file comprises correspondence and other papers relating to the rescission of Defence Regulation No. 2 of 1942, made under the Persian Gulf States (Emergency) Order in Council (1939), which prohibited employees of the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) and Petroleum Concessions Limited (PCL) from quitting their employment without the prior consent of the British political authorities. The principal correspondents in the file are: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Geoffrey Prior); the Political Agent at Bahrain (Major Tom Hickinbotham; also T E Rogers, officiating in Hickinbotham’s absence); the India Office (Roland Tennyson Peel).The file includes:correspondence discussing difficulties raised by the Regulation (employees either having difficulties returning home for their leave, or not returning after their leave has completed), and the possibility of rescinding the Regulation in August 1944, rejected on the grounds that important expansion work on the refinery at Bahrain was ongoing, and that the Regulation was working effectively for all but one or two ‘ill-disposed employees’ (ff 3-4, ff 8-10, f 13, ff 21-22);correspondence dated from July 1945, concerning the suspension, and then the rescission of the Regulation, including copies of Regulation No. 1 of 1946, which officially repealed Regulation No. 2 of 1942 (ff 23-36);copies of correspondence sent by His Majesty’s Consul at Khorramshahr (Andrew Charles Stewart) to His Majesty’s Ambassador at Tehran (Sir Reader William Bullard), concerning difficulties encountered in enforcing a similar Regulation at the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC), where many employees were reported to be deliberately reducing their output in order to force managers to dismiss them (ff 6-7, ff 11-12);correspondence between the Political Agent at Bahrain and the Chief Local Representative at BAPCO (Ward P Anderson) over the Regulation and its enforcement in relation to Indian employees taking leave (ff 16-19).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 44; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
75. ‘File 28/61 War. BAPCO and A.I.O.C. – Attitude of employees regarding enlistment in armed forces at outbreak of war’
- Description:
- Abstract: The file comprises copies of correspondence relating to the appointment of employees of the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) as special police officers, to be engaged as part of BAPCO’s oil refinery defence scheme in time of war. The file’s principal correspondents are: the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman); the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle; Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Geoffrey Prior); and the Chief Local Representative for BAPCO (John S Black; Milton H Lipp).The file includes:copies of correspondence between the British Legation at Tehran and the Foreign Office, relating to the drawing up of lists of surplus employees of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC), who might be commissioned in time of war, and correspondence between the Political Agent and Political Resident, agreeing that similar lists should be drawn up in collaboration with BAPCO (ff 2-9);correspondence from the Chief Local Representative at BAPCO: nominal lists of employees in accordance with the proposed Refinery Defence Scheme (ff 10-11, f 14); lists of employees with their names and departure dates (ff 15-17); a draft copy of a note entitled ‘Defence Protection for the Bahrein Petroleum Company in the Event of Hostilities’ (ff 18-31);notices issued by the Political Agency, containing lists of employees to be appointed as special police officers under the Bahrain Order-in-Council and King’s Regulation No. 2 of 1938 (ff 12-13, ff 33-34, ff 35-36);correspondence concerning the restiveness of some British BAPCO employees after the declaration of war in Europe; a request for an official statement on the importance of oil production in war time; a request from the Political Agent for the authority to create a Volunteer Defence Force in Bahrain; correspondence between India Office and Foreign Office officials on official policy for British BAPCO employees (ff 38-52);correspondence over whether the appointment of special police officers from BAPCO staff represents a breach of civil contract, with the Political Agent stating that the appointments are not an order, and are ‘entirely voluntary’ (ff 53-54);correspondence concerning the relative importance of oil production in Bahrain, including a secret letter sent from by John Percival Gibson of the India Office to F C Starling of the Petroleum Department, dated 27 September 1939, setting the importance of Bahrain’s oil in a broader context, in terms of production quantity, quality, and its usefulness to the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force (ff 58-62).One letter in the file is erroneously dated (f 7), being given as 8 August 1938 instead of 8 August 1939.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 64; 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 present in parallel between ff 2-62; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
76. ‘File 28/64 Exemptions from customs dues on oil companies’ stores’
- Description:
- Abstract: The file comprises copies of correspondence relating to customs and transit duties payable on equipment and stores owned by Petroleum Development (Qatar) Limited (PDQ) that are passing from Qatar through Bahrain, as a consequence of the shutdown of the Company’s operations in Qatar in 1942. The file’s principal correspondents are: the Political Agent in Bahrain (Edward Birkbeck Wakefield); the Manager of PDQ (Ernest Vincent Packer); and the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain (Charles Dalrymple Belgrave).The file includes:correspondence between the Political Agent, PDQ Manager, and Adviser to Government, including: Bahrain Government agreement that exemption of duty and transit fees should be made for equipment sold to British military forces; PDQ objection to having to pay a two per cent transit duty on stores returning to Bahrain; a list of materials being shipped by PDQ from Qatar via Bahrain (f 29); the Bahrain Government’s eventual waiving of all transit duties on PDQ stores;correspondence relating to a similar enquiry concerning customs and transit duties made by the California-Arabian Standard Oil Company (CASOC), and the Bahrain Government’s concession that duty be waived on equipment being brought through Bahrain for purchase on behalf of the United States Armed Forces.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 37; 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 present in parallel between ff 2-33; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
77. ‘File 28/77 War – Reserve of spare parts for oil companies to be kept at Bahrain’
- Description:
- Abstract: The file comprises copies of correspondence relating to proposals, initially raised by the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman) to retain in Bahrain a stock of spare parts used by the region’s oil industries (in particular the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC)), should a major war lead to difficulties in obtaining supplies from elsewhere. Correspondents in the file include the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle), and representatives of the India Office (Roland Tennyson Peel; John Percival Gibson), Admiralty (C Wallworth), and Petroleum Division (F C Starling). The letters include detail of the value and extent of spare stocks kept at Bahrain by the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO), and reference to the AIOC having already made their own provision for a store of spare parts in case of a restriction on supplies due to war.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 20; 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 present in parallel between ff 3-17; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
78. 'File 39/12 APOC's oil storage on Trucial Coast'
- Description:
- Abstract: The file contains correspondence, primarily between Anglo Persian Oil Company's (APOC) managers, the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, the Residency Agent at Sharjah and the Political Agent at Bahrain, regarding APOC's oil storage at Sharjah.There is also correspondence with in Arabic between APOC and the Residency Agent at Sharjah, Khan Bahadur Isa bin Abdul Latif, with English translation, and translations of letters from the Ruler of Sharjah, Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr to APOC, forwarded without copies of the Arabic originals. All these letters date between 1 April and 13 June 1933.There are some letters dated between 21 January and 11 February 1950 at the end of the file, discussing the increased demand and cost of oil in the Trucial Coast.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 31; 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 present in parallel between ff 2-30; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
79. 'File 39/22 Bahrain pearling banks in strip of seabed leased by Trinidad Leaseholds Ltd'
- Description:
- Abstract: The file contains correspondence between the Political Agent at Bahrain, the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain regarding the use of pearling banks within areas of oil interest near Ras Tanura.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 11; 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 3-8; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
80. 'File 39/23 II Negotiations for seabed oil in Bahrain, Trucial Coast and Qatar'
- Description:
- Abstract: The file contains correspondence, in English and Arabic, between the Political Agent at Bahrain, the Agency at Sharjah and local rulers regarding their jurisdiction over the seabed adjacent to their coastline, for the purpose of oil drilling offshore.The correspondents are:Ruler of Qatar, Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī;Ruler of Bahrain, Shaikh Salmān bin Ḥamad Āl Khalīfah;Ruler of Umm-al-Qaiwain [Umm al-Quwain, UAE], Shaikh Ahmad II bin Rashid Al Mu'alla;the brother of the Ruler of Sharjah, Shaikh Muhammad bin Saqr Al Qasimi;Ruler of Ras al Khaimah, Sheikh Saqr bin Moḥammad Al Qasimi;Ruler of Ajman, Shaikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi;Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Shaikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan;Ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Hasher Āl Maktūm.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 69; 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 incomplete foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-68; these numbers are written in a combination of pencil and ink, but are not circled (some are crossed out), and they are located in the same position as the main sequence.
81. 'File 39/24 Seabed concession, Qatar'
- Description:
- Abstract: The file contains correspondence, mostly in English and Arabic, between the Ruler of Qatar, Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī (from August 1949 Shaikh ‘Alī bin ‘Abdullāh Āl Thānī); the Ruler of Bahrain, Shaikh Salmān bin Ḥamad Āl Khalīfah; the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain and the Political Agent at Bahrain; regarding the jurisdiction over the seabed adjacent to the coastline, for the purpose of oil drilling offshore. The papers include a dispute between the Ruler of Qatar and Petroleum Development Qatar Ltd on the interpretation of the oil concession with regard to the Qatar coastal waters and Decision of Arbitrators (folios 13-19).The file also contains correspondence with the Ruler of Qatar and Superior Oil Company, concerning the Company’s request for permission to drill in the shoals represented on folio 41, and considering claims of the Ruler of Bahrain over the same shoals.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 52; 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 incomplete foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-51; these numbers are written in a combination of pencil and ink, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
82. 'File B/2 Oils and Minerals, Bahrain'
- Description:
- Abstract: The letters, office notes and other items contained in the volume relate to the discovery and survey of bitumen (or asphalt) deposits in Bahrain, and subsequent discussions between British officials and the ruler of Bahrain, Shaikh ‘Īsá bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah, on securing exclusive concessions to extract oil deposits in future. The principal correspondents in the file are the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and the Political Agent at Bahrain (both posts being held by numerous incumbents during the period covered by the file), and Shaikh ‘Īsá bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah, ruler of Bahrain.In January 1901, John Calcott Gaskin, then Political Agent in Bahrain, wrote to the Political Resident Major Charles Kemball, reporting that asphalt deposits had been discovered at Jebbel Dukhan [Jabal ad Dukhkhān] in Bahrain, and were attracting the interest of the German company Wonckhaus & Co. (folios 1-2). In January 1902 Gaskin further reported to the Resident that Wonckhaus & Co. had approached Shaikh ‘Īsá with a view to securing exclusive rights to the extraction of the asphalt (folios 3-4). Between the years 1903 and 1909 British representatives carried out a number of geological surveys on the asphalt deposits, the first, in 1903, being carried out by Gaskin himself. The results of each of these surveys suggested that, though the deposits of asphalt were neither extensive nor commercially viable, they did provide evidence that more significant reserves of oil might be present (folios 17-24, 43-46, 79).Correspondence in the second half of the file shifts to the question of the Shaikh of Bahrain’s ownership of the asphalt/oil deposits, and efforts by British officials to secure exclusive rights to the mineral resources. In early 1914 the Political Agent, Major Arthur Trevor, exchanged a number of letters with Shaikh ‘Īsá, seeking assurances that British officials would be consulted prior to any attempts at extraction, and that the Shaikh would not consult anyone else over the extraction of his mineral resources (folios 83-100). Correspondence at the end of the volume indicates outside interest in Bahrain’s mineral resources. Enclosed with a letter addressed to the Political Resident dated 1 May 1914, the geologist and oil prospector Charteris A. Stewart enclosed a map showing the sites of oil seepages in the Gulf, including at Bahrain, and enquired after the governance of a number of islands in the Gulf (folios 106-07). In June 1914 the Bahrain Political Agent and the Political Resident discussed interest in the Gulf’s oil deposits from Messrs S. Pearson & Son, whom Stewart was representing (folio 108).Physical description: Foliation: The file is foliated from the first to last folio of writing with blue crayon numbers in the top-right corner of the recto of each folio. The following foliation anomalies occur: 31A, 61A, 61B.The following folios are fold-outs: 51, 52, 73, 83, 96.
83. 'File XIV A/1 IV Oil Concession in Muscat'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes, relating to oil concessions in Muscat territory.The discussion in the volume relates to the following issues:Aviation petrol and oil for exploration partiesEmployment of American geologistsAgreement between HM Government and Petroleum Development (Oman and Dhfoar), including 'pre-emption clauses' in event of national emergency or war whereby the UK could take control of oil produced in Oman (ff 32-34)Correspondence with officials of Petroleum Concessions, Petroleum Concessions (Oman and Dhofar), and Petroluem Concessions (Trucial Coast)Letters from the Wali of various towns and districtsMuscat Oil Agreement negotiations.Included in the volume is a report by Captain John Baron Howes, Assistant Political Agent, Bahrain, 'Report on special duty in connection with the exploration party of Petroleum Concessions Limited in the Dhahira' including two hand drawn sketch maps as appendices: 'Appendix 1: Sketch map of Baraimi Oasis approximately to scale' (ff 188-198).The principal correspondents in the volume include the Political Agent, Muscat (Major Ralph Ponsonby Watts); the Secretary of State for India; the Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for India (M J Clauson); the Sultan of Muscat and Oman [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr]; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; Petroleum Concessions Ltd (Stephen Hemsley Longrigg); the Political Agent, Bahrain (Hugh Weightman).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 218; 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 present in parallel between ff 2-218; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.
84. 'File [XIV A/1 V] Oil concessions in Muscat'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes, relating to oil concessions in Muscat territory.The discussion in the volume relates to the following issues:Petroleum Concession Limited's exploration in Trucial hinterland and Muscat territoryThe negotiations relating to the conclusion of agreements for exploration in Muscat and Oman, and a separate agreement for DhofarNegotiations and administration concerning the extension of option periods for the Muscat and Oman and Dhofar Agreements.The volume includes a telegram (folio 241) from the Foreign Office to Washington on the topic 'SPECIAL (OIL POLICY)'.The principal correspondents in the volume include the Political Agent, Muscat (Ralph Ingham Hallows); the Under-Secretary of State, India Office; the Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for India (M J Clauson); the Sultan of Muscat and Oman [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr]; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; Manager of Petroleum Concessions Ltd (Stephen Hemsley Longrigg); and the Political Agent, Bahrain.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 291; 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 present in parallel and these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.