‘File 28/1 G Bahrain Special Police’ [‎98r] (195/264)

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Content

The file comprises copies of correspondence relating to the day-to-day organisation of the Bahrain Special Police, occasionally referred to as the Bahrain Defence Force, including arrangements for recruitment, training, pay, provisions, expenses, etc. The principal 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. in Bahrain (Hugh Weightman); the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain (Charles Dalrymple Belgrave); the Defence Officer in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (Major A C Byard; Major H T Hewitt); Royal Air Force (RAF) officials at Air Headquarters Iraq, Habbaniyah, Iraq.

Subjects covered in the file include:

• in late 1939, enquiries by 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. in Bahrain into the prospect of recruiting men from Baluchistan into a Special Police Force in Bahrain, with mention of the Sheikh of Bahrain’s preference for an Arab levy force;
• in October 1940, proposals to increase the numbers of the Bahrain Special Police up to circa 150 men, along with correspondence relating to additional defence measures for Bahrain in the wake of an Italian bombing raid over Bahrain and Dhahran;
• in late 1940, the recruitment of four junior Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) from the Iraq Levies, to train the Bahrain Special Police, including arrangements for payment of levies’ travel, accommodation, expenses and salaries;
• separate concerns from Belgrave: a) of the effectiveness of the Special Police with 150 men (November 1940, ff 29-35); and b) the costs of maintaining the Special Police (July 1942, ff 61-69);
• in October 1943, discontent amongst the ranks of and the threat of strike by the Special Police, who demand transport allowances and pay increases, leading to Hewitt’s concession that the Special Police are not an effective fighting force;
• from mid-1944, concerns that the numbers of men in the Special Police will drastically reduce as their four-year contracts, signed in late 1940, expire towards the end of 1944. Recommendations to solve the problem include: replacement of the Special Police by an Indian Garrison Company, rejected on the grounds of an overall lack of manpower in the Indian Army; that a one-year contract extension with pay rise be offered to Special Police officers; a transfer scheme to enable Bahrain State Police to transfer to the Special Police (copy of police order announcing the transfer scheme, ff 107-110);
• in August 1945, correspondence relating to the disbandment of the Bahrain Special Police, including confirmation from the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO), dated 12 September 1945 (f 120) that the Company has no objection to the discontinuation of the Special Police.

Extent and format

1 file (130 folios)

Arrangement

The file’s contents are arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest item at the front to the latest at the end. The file notes at the end of the file (ff 124-131) mirror the chronological arrangement.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 132; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. Three additional mixed foliation/pagination sequences are also present between ff 2-7, ff 112-123, and ff 124-131 respectively; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. They are located in the same position as the main sequence, except for some instances which are located on the verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. .

Written in

English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script

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