‘File 28/54 Victory Day – celebrations’

Content

The file comprises copies of letters and Government of India circulars relating to the arrangement of celebrations to commemorate the defeat of Germany and the end of hostilities in Europe, and subsequent letters of congratulation, received by British officials in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. from some of the Gulf’s rulers. The principal correspondents in the file are: 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 Charles Geoffrey Prior; Lieutenant-Colonel Arnold Crawshaw Galloway); 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 (Major Tom Hickinbotham; Cornelius James Pelly); the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain (Charles Dalrymple Belgrave).

The file includes:

• correspondence dated October and November 1944 concerning arrangements for the celebration of victory in Europe, including plans for and minutes of a meeting held 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. at Bahrain on 15 November 1944, and Government of India circulars dated 27 and 28 September 1944 providing details of: the tone to be set at celebrations; the nature of celebrations; how victory and the cessation of hostilities will be formally announced; involvement of Government publicity organisations (e.g. radio, press, film) in celebrations (ff 2-9, f, 13, f 15);
• detail, in a Government of India letter to 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. , dated 27 March 1945, of the budgets set aside for victory celebrations in Bushire, Muscat, Bahrain and Kuwait (500 Indian rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. each, f 12);
• correspondence dated early May 1945, of final arrangements for the announcement of the cessation of hostilities in Europe, and celebrations in Bahrain, including a telegram forwarded from the Government of India, dated 8 May 1945, making the formal announcement of VE Day being set as 8 May 1945 (ff 16-28);
• Letters of congratulation received from the Ruler of Qatar, Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī, and the Ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Sa‘id bin Maktum Āl Maktum, as well as Haji Salih Sulaiman al Mana [Ṣāliḥ Āl Māni‘] of Qatar, in Arabic with English translations. Enclosed with one letter from the Ruler of Qatar are congratulatory telegrams to be forwarded to King George VI and Prime Minister Winston Churchill (ff 30-42).

Extent and format

1 file (47 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 47-48) 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 inside back cover with 49; 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. An additional mixed foliation/pagination sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-22; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.

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/15/2/745

Former external reference(s)

Confidential Files: 28/54

History of this record

Date(s)

27 Sep 1944-27 May 1945 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Second World War (1939-1945)VE day

People & organisations

Political Resident, Persian GulfAdviser to the Government of Bahrain

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Cite this record in your research

‘File 28/54 Victory Day – celebrations’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/745, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000241.0x00008d> [accessed 23 April 2024]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100000000241.0x00008d

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