'File 13/1 I Aerodrome at Bahrain'

Content

The volume contains correspondence and other papers related to the establishment of an aerodrome at Bahrain, for the use of the British air transport operator Imperial Airways Limited. The main correspondents in the file are the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Bahrain (Captain Charles Geoffrey Prior until November 1932, Captain Percy Gordon Loch thereafter), the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Fowle), and the Advisor for the Bahrain Government Charles Dalrymple-Belgrave. Other correspondents include representatives of the Royal Air Force (R.A.F.) and Imperial Airways Limited.

Most of the papers in the file relate to the drawing up of an agreement between the Government of Bahrain and Imperial Airways, for the installation and use of an aerodrome in Bahrain. The first draft of the agreement, dated 31 August 1932, is included in the file (folios 9-13), and is followed by extensive correspondence where issues and revisions to specific articles are raised. These chiefly relate to the payment of customs duties on cargo travelling through Bahrain by air, and the use of aerodrome facilities by other, including foreign, operators, wireless facilities. Subsequent revisions of the agreement can also be found in the file (folios 39-41, 80-87, 101-07).

The relative merits of landing strips at Manama and Muharraq in Bahrain are also discussed. Soil test analyses conducted by the R.A.F. suggest that the land at Muhurraq is better suited for larger aircraft (folio 142). A suitable gift for Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah, to thank him for his co-operation in negotiations, is also discussed between government officials and representatives of Imperial Airways (folios 68, 139).

Extent and format

1 volume (147 folios)

Arrangement

The contents of the volume have been arranged in approximate chronological order, running from the earliest items at the front of the file to the latest at the end.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: The volume has been foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using uncircled numbers in the top-right corner of each recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. page. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e.

The following folios are fold-outs: 53, 96, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 144.

Written in

English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script

Type

Archival file

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/R/15/2/505

Former external reference(s)

Confidential File: 13/1 I

History of this record

Date(s)

6 Aug 1932-26 Mar 1934 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Civil aviationAirfields

Places

Bahrain

People & organisations

Political Resident, Persian GulfAdviser to the Government of BahrainRoyal Air ForceImperial Airways

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'File 13/1 I Aerodrome at Bahrain', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/505, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000241.0x0002e8> [accessed 23 April 2024]

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