Abstract: The file contains proclamations and public notices issued by the Government of Bahrain. The notices are mostly in Arabic with brief or full translations in English given for many. They are concerned with a wide range of matters relating to boating, driving, trade and pricing (particularly the import of rice, tobacco, and ghee), customs, travel documents and restrictions, government office closures, public holidays, property registration and land regulation, health, government appointments, and numerous miscellaneous prohibitions. Some notices are issued by the Customs House and the Manama Municipality.The file also contains correspondence between the Adviser to the Bahrain Government (Charles Dalrymple Belgrave) and the Political Agent, Bahrain.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 256; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Additional foliation sequences are present in parallel but irregular; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The file contains proclamations and public notices issued by the Government of Bahrain. The notices are mostly in Arabic with brief or full translations in English given for many. They are concerned with a wide range of matters relating to boating, driving, trade and pricing, customs, travel documents and restrictions, government office closures, public holidays, property registration and land regulation, health, government appointments, municipal elections, applications for Bahrain citizenship, education, electricity, currency regulation, and numerous miscellaneous prohibitions. Some notices are issued by the Customs House and the Manama Municipality.The file also contains correspondence between the Adviser to the Bahrain Government (Charles Dalrymple Belgrave) and the Political Agent, Bahrain.Folios 172-94 are internal office notes.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 195; 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; 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 A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The file begins with a confidential circular memorandum (reference No.279-S of 1939) from Trenchard Craven William Fowle (Political Resident in the Persian Gulf), dated 30 March 1939 at the British Residency and Consulate-General, Bushire. It is addressed to the Political Agents for Bahrain, Kuwait and Muscat and asks them to send him weekly summaries of any news items relating to their area, made in Arabic broadcasts by foreign radio stations.The file consists almost entirely of several English summaries of Arabic news broadcasts, transmitted to radio listeners in the Gulf States by European and Middle Eastern radio stations and expressing mainly anti-British views. Most summaries are from Berlin Radio and include news of Jewish immigration into British controlled Palestine and President Roosevelt’s peace telegram to Hitler on14 April 1939. There are also two short news summaries about Palestine from the British viewpoint, broadcast by the British Broadcasting Corporation (B.B.C.) Empire Service (known as Daventry Radio) in England.The reference number ‘1.a/25’ appears on two telegrams in the file (ff.17-18). This is a related file in the same series. There is also a cross-reference to a particular file part in a handwritten note on the file cover which says:‘Please see file 1.a/25-III for future correspondence’. This file part appears not to have survived.Physical description: Foliation: numbered 1A, 1B, and then 2 to 34, in pencil in the top right hand corner. The numbering starts at the front of the file, on the file cover (f.1A) and ends on the inside cover at the back of the file (f.34).
Abstract: The file is about a change in administrative arrangements, following receipt of a general instruction in 1939, to send all future intelligence summaries to the new Middle East Intelligence Centre (M.E.I.C.) at Cairo.The file contains confidential, secret and most secret copy letters and telegrams, mainly from Trenchard Craven William Fowle (Political Resident in the Persian Gulf) to the Political Agent, Bahrain. The correspondence begins with a request from Fowle, asking the Political Agent, Bahrain to start sending copies of his fortnightly intelligence summaries to the newly opened M.E.I.C. Both this request and subsequent correspondence contains detailed instructions about the secure communication of intelligence reports and summaries between British officials in the Arab Gulf States and the Intelligence Centre at Cairo, including the use of cyphers and code words. The copy correspondence includes a secret telegram (T. No. 9276 dated 19 April 1941) and a most secret memorandum ( M.E.I.C./1/59 dated 21 April 1941) from the Intelligence Centre, containing instructions about the use of the code word ‘Steel’ in messages to indicate that information has been supplied by a most secret source (ff.13-17).The file also includes copies of six printed distribution lists with the security classification ‘Most Secret’, for the circulation of intelligence summaries compiled by the Political Intelligence Centre Middle East, May-June 1943.Physical description: Foliation: numbered 1 to 26 in the top right hand corner. The numbering starts at the front of the file, on the first file enclosure (f.1) and ends on the inside cover at the back of the file (f.26). The front file cover is not foliated.
Abstract: The file contains exchanges of secret and confidential letters, memoranda and telegrams, mainly between Major Reginald George Evelyn William Alban and his successor Cornelius James Pelly (British Political Agents, Bahrain); Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Charles Geoffrey Prior (Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire); Major Tom Hickinbotham and his successor A.L.A. Dredge, (Public Relations Officers in the Persian Gulf, Bahrain); Captain J.B. Howes (Publicity Officer in the Persian Gulf, Bahrain then Deputy Secretary, Government of India Information and Broadcasting Department, New Delhi).File correspondence discusses: the script and arrangements for making a British public information film about the Persian Gulf, by an Indian film unit, in 1945; requests for funds to develop a recreation ground and provide a cinema in Bahrain, in order to promote social contact between the British, Arabs and Persians, 1940-1941; and compiling a list of Sheikhs in Bahrain and Qatar and also Trucial Coast Rulers, who would appreciate a supply of Arabic literature from the Public Relations Office in Bahrain, 1949. There is also a copy of the minutes of a meeting of the Public Information Committee held in the Public Information Office, Bahrain on 12 January 1941 (ff.6-8).The file also contains policies, plans, information and guidance relating to publicity work in the Middle East which were circulated to British officials in the region by the Ministry of Information in London and Cairo. These include British propaganda policy and planning for Persia 1944-1945 by the Overseas Planning Committee; information about British publicity work in Palestine; notes for making public statements about the political assassination of Lord Moyne (British Minister Resident in the Middle East) in Cairo on 6 November 1944; French claims in the Levant, 1945; and participation by Syria and Lebanon in the United Nations Conference on International Organization, San Francisco, 1945.Physical description: Foliation: numbered 1 to 95 in pencil in the top right hand corner. The numbering starts at the front of the file, on the first file enclosure (f.1) and ends on the last file enclosure (f.95) at the back of the file. The front file cover is not foliated.
Abstract: The file contains an exchange of confidential correspondence, following Arab press reports of a new friendship treaty between the Sheikhs of Bahrain and the British Government. The correspondence is mainly between Meredith Worth (Officiating Political Agent, Bahrain), Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch (Acting Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire) and Charles Dalrymple Belgrave (Adviser to the Government of Bahrain).The correspondence discusses claims made in 1934 by Bahraini subject Ali bin Salim that Britain and Bahrain were negotiating a new 25 year treaty which would recognise the independence of Bahrain under the sovereignty of the existing ruling family, the Al Khalifah Sheikhs of Bahrain. The Baghdad newspapers
Al Akhaand
Al-Iraqpublished both Ali bin Salim’s treaty claims and a repudiation by Sheikh ‘Abdullah bin ‘Isa al-Khalifah, brother of the ruler of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad. Ali bin Salim was later identified as Ali bin Hussain al Khalfan, Secretary of the Manama Municipal Council.The correspondence also discusses the subsequent fraud investigation against Ali bin Hussain al Khalfan, including an examination of import records obtained from the Director of Customs and Port Officer, Bahrain as evidence; his conviction for misappropriation of public funds by Sheikh Sulman in the Bahrain Court; his six months’ imprisonment and subsequent release.The file also includes English translations of the following items in Arabic: a letter from Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al Khalifah (Ruler of Bahrain) to his brother Sheikh Muhammad (President of the Manama Municipal Council) dismissing Ali bin Hussain al Khalfan from his post as Secretary to the Council (f.17); an independent valuation of imported goods that Ali bin Hussain al Khalfan had purchased with public funds (f.34); three Arabic newspaper articles (ff.2, 4, 12).Physical description: Foliation: numbered 1 to 52 in pencil in the top right hand corner. The numbering starts at the front of the file, on the first file enclosure (f.1) and ends on the inside cover at the back of the file (f.52). The front file cover is not foliated.
Abstract: The file contains an exchange of confidential correspondence, following a formal protest made by Ibn Sa’ud (King Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia) to the Minister at the British Legation in Jeddah, about publication of an article in the newspaper
Al Bahrainon 26 November 1942.The correspondence is between His Britannic Majesty’s Minister, Jeddah; Edward Birkbeck Wakefield and Major Tom Hickinbotham (Political Agents, Bahrain); Bertram Thomas (Public Relations Officer in the Persian Gulf, Public Relations office, Bahrain); Charles Geoffrey Prior (Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire); Hugh Weightman (Joint Secretary to the Government of India, External Affairs Department, New Delhi) and Charles Dalrymple Belgrave (Adviser to the Bahrain Government, Bahrain).The correspondence discusses the reaction of Ibn Sa’ud to the newspaper article, which urged the establishment of a Shia religious school in Qatif, Saudi Arabia. The file includes an English translation of the newspaper article entitled ‘An appeal to found an institute at Qatif’. The article was signed by ‘Ali al Shaikh Mansur al Marhoon al Qatifi’ (Sheikh Mansur al Marhoon), but was later found to have been written by his son, Ali Bin Mansur.The file cover appears to have been re-used. An earlier file title ‘Facilities – Port of Bahrain’ is visible and has been crossed out.Physical description: Foliation: numbered 1 to 21 in pencil in the top right hand corner and encircled. The numbering starts at the front of the file, on the file cover (f.1) and ends on the inside cover at the back of the file (f.21).
Abstract: The file contains an investigation into a news report on the radio, transmitted by the British Broadcasting Corporation (B.B.C.) Arabic Service on 10 August 1947, concerning the Sheikh of Kuwait’s visit to Saudi Arabia.The file includes: an English translation of the news broadcast, reporting an agreement between the Sheikhs of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and others to boycott Zionist goods and prohibit their transit through Saudi Arabia; a confidential exchange of letters about the inaccuracy of the news report, between Colonel Arnold Crawshaw Galloway ( Acting Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bahrain) and the Commonwealth Relations Office, London; a letter from Donald Stephenson (Director of Eastern Services, B.B.C.) stating that the Arabic News Agency in Cairo had failed to indicate the speculative nature of the information provided.Physical description: Foliation: numbered 1 to 9 in pencil in the top right hand corner and encircled. The numbering starts at the front of the file, on the first file enclosure (f.1) and ends on the inside cover at the back of the file (f.9). The front file cover is not foliated.
Abstract: The file contains copy correspondence arising from a visit made by Mr Boxall of Reuters News Agency to the Political Resident at Bahrain, to discuss company business. The correspondence consists of a memorandum (reference number Residency Endorsement 431-S) and a confidential letter (Dominions Office reference numbers D.O.607-S and D.O. 608-s), addressed to F.A.K. Harrison, The India Office, London. Both items were written by William Rupert Hay (Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bahrain) and copied to Cornelius James Pelly (Political Agent, Bahrain).Hay reported that Mr Boxall of Reuters News Agency had asked him to pass on any news worthy of publication to Mr Meikle, Reuters correspondent in Bahrain, and to recommend a correspondent for Reuters in Kuwait. Hay sought the advice of Maurice Patrick O’Connor Tandy, British ambassador to Kuwait, who recommended Angus Macdonald of the Kuwait Oil Company for the position of Reuters correspondent in Kuwait.Physical description: Foliation: numbered 1 to 5 in pencil in the top right hand corner and encircled. The numbering starts at the front of the file, on the file cover (f.1) and ends on the inside cover at the back of the file (f.5).
Abstract: This correspondence file discusses the suitability of Bertram Thomas for appointment as Publicity Officer in the Persian Gulf, as recommended by the Political Resident and endorsed by the Government of India. The correspondence comprises: one secret letter and five confidential telegrams (reference numbers D.O. No. C/4; No.C/20; No.131; No.646; No.1665; No. T/8) between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire; the Political Agent, Bahrain; the Government of India, New Delhi and the Secretary of State for India, London in 1941.The file also includes planning notes for the anti-parachute training of the British Volunteer Defence Force (B.V.D.F.), as discussed between the Political Resident and the Commanding Air Officer, 1940-1942 (ff.9-11).Physical description: Foliation: numbered 1 to 12 in pencil in the top right hand corner and encircled. The numbering starts at the front of the file, on the file cover (f.1) and ends on the inside cover at the back of the file (f.12).
Abstract: This file contains three items of correspondence (reference numbers D.O. No.550-EL; D.O. No.C/121; No.931-EL), two of which are confidential. The correspondence took place between William Rupert Hay (Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bahrain), Cornelius James Pelly (Political Agent, Bahrain) and Charles Dalrymple Belgrave (Adviser to the Bahrain Government).The correspondence mainly concerns Belgrave's successful request to Pelly for help in sourcing Arabic type, for use in a new printing press due to be supplied to the Bahrain Government by Charles Kendall & Partners, government procurement agents in England.The file cover is made up of two re-used sections from earlier file covers. From its markings, the back of the file cover was previously used for secret file no. 8/5-ii, entitled ‘R.A.F. Iraq Intelligence Summary, 1941’.Physical description: Foliation: numbered 1 to 5 in pencil in the top right hand corner and encircled. The numbering starts at the front of the file, on the file cover (f.1) and ends on the inside cover at the back of the file (f.5).
Abstract: The file contains three items of correspondence (reference numbers D.O. Nos. 1077-9A; 668-S; C/346) between Charles Dalrymple Belgrave (Adviser to the Bahrain Government), Cornelius James Pelly (Political Agent, Bahrain) and Major A.L.A. Dredge (Secretary to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bahrain).The file also contains an extract from a report entitled
Information work in the Persian Gulf(reference number PME.163/163/934), containing Stevenson's recommendations for a reorganisation of the post of Information Officer in Bahrain and related public library and information services.Pelly and Dredge discuss the existing public Reading Room in Manama, a proposed Reading Room in Muharraq and the proposed supply of English books to the Hostel Library used by students, run by the Education Department of the Bahrain Government. Also discussed are Bahrain Government plans to revive a broadcasting service and publish an official gazette, with news items in Arabic and English contributed by the Information Officer in Bahrain and other British sources in Baghdad and London.Physical description: Foliation: numbered 1 to 10 in pencil in the top right hand corner and encircled. The numbering starts at the front of the file, on the file cover (f.1) and ends on the inside cover at the back of the file (f.10).