'File 19/218 (C 84) Bahrain Succession' [‎78r] (157/210)

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at Manamah and at Sakhir, He used to lever himself
with both arms when rising from the chair. He never
discussed this matter but it was commented on by his
servants. After he died his household servants said
that twice before he had attacks which reduced him to
a state of unconsciousness for a short time but these
incidents were not made public at the time and consi
derable vagueness exists as to their dates. On the
whole, considering his physical liabilities his general
health had been well maintained. His heart however
always required careful watching, and during the last
six months its condition had been slowly and insidiously
showing signs of strain.
On Monday 16th February 1942 the annual celebra
tion of the anniversary of Shaikh Hamad*s accession day
was held, owing to the war the only public event was a
ceremonial parade of the state forces in front of the
■oalace. On the previous day Shaikh Hamad discussed
the programme with me and said that as he found that
walking tired him so much he did not intend to pass
down the lines but would remain seated throughout the
parade. He had been suffering for some days from a
swollen rheumatic ankle and though Dr. Snow and I per
sonally asked him to keep his leg resting on a chair
he neglected the advice and twice during the few days
before the parade I found him sitting in the gate room
at Sakhir not resting his leg.
The parade was held on Monday 16th. Various
people commented on the fact that Shaikh Hamad did not
look well. When it was over he drove back to Rumaitha
where he was staying for some days in order to enjoy
the results of the recent rain. Rumaitha is a little
valley in the high country towards the south end of
the —