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Coll 30/210(2) 'Bahrein Oil: Employment of U.S.Provost Personnel for Control of American labour.' [‎7v] (16/1013)

The record is made up of 1 file (502 folios). It was created in 1 Mar 1944-18 Jan 1946. It was written in English. The original is part of the 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. .

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our quarters ajid remained uncovered for the greater part of the day, the contents
being frequently disturbed by the prisoner's, whose duty it was to empty the
cesspool. I complained of this to the Superintendent and the cesspool was
promptly cemented over which rectified this matter.
punas
There was no information available as to exactly what our duties were to
be, when we were to commence and from where we were to operate. The only
information available was in connection with setting up a Traffic Department.
The local. Inspector was obviously unaware of the duties that we expected to be
allocated to us in accordance with the Home Office circular issued at the time
applications were sought in connection with our respective appointments.
MOBILITY
We came then up against transport difficulties between our quarters and the
town and upon making enquiries concerning transport, we were informed that there
were ei^it pedal cycles at our disposal, which, under no circumstances could be
accepted, for the obvious reasons of the climate and the effect on local prestige.
The mobility of the detachment is practically nil as there is no reasonable
means of transport provided. One old motor cycle was put into working order and
was provided for our use. This very soon broke down, which left us again,
immobile. Taxis are not always available and I was unable to ascertain if such
could be hired on Police business and charged to Police accounts. In one instance,
in connection with an accident at Muharraq on the 6th September, 1945, it took two
hours to get members of the detachment to the scene of the accident, which is not
compatible with Police efficiency. In this accident, there were at least seven
persons injured, one of whom has since died. All the members of the detachment
are certificated First Aid men and what steps they may have been able to take to
preserve the life of the dead man can never be assessed. This difficulty can
only be overcome by a sufficiency of transport at their disposal. I have heard,
locally, that there are motor cars and refrigerators loaned out to non government
persons at a nominal rent by the British Advisor’s Department. It is, therefore,
difficult to understand why my department should have to be devoid of any form of
mobility.
LAMPS
The detachment was issued with eight half size hurricane lamps for use during
the periods when the electricity was turned off, which is every alternate half hour
after sunset. They served the purpose only of allowing one to see the way about . '
on the premises, but did not give sufficient light for reading, writing etc. The
working time available, therefore, was greatly reduced and to overcome this,
application was made for the supply of three ’Ga-s Lamps. This application was
refused by the British Advisor on the ground that hurricane lamps were sufficient.
KITCHEN ALP COOKHOUSE
The kitchen and cookhouse were not properly equipped, as previously stated.
The fittings were old, worn and filthily dirty. The kitchen tables required
renewing. This was brought to the personal attention of the Superintendent who
agreed and said that until they could be renewed, he would have the ones at
present in use cleaned and planed at once. It was never done.
OFFICIAL OPTICS
No provisions had been made for an official office and after some debate, I
agreed to use my sitting room as an office, pending some alternative arrangement.
I was offered office accommodation, which was not even equipped with a fan. This
I, of course, refused. I have now been promised that a fan, taken from the British
Advisor's Department, will be provided.
EURNISKENGS
Bach room was fitted with the barest
necessities of furnishings.
There was

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Content

The file concerns the secondment of eight serving British police officers (one inspector, one sergeant, and six constables) to serve with the Bahrain State Police. The issue arose in 1944 following incidents at Bahrain involving United States (US) citizens employed in refinery construction (particularly those employed by the Bechtel-McCone-Parsons Corporation) and US merchant seamen. It was considered that the local Arab police were unable to deal with the situation unaided. Various proposals were discussed, including the use of US Provost personnel, and the supply of British military police. In view of the fact that the British Government exercised limited jurisdiction in Bahrain (particularly control over foreigners), the decision was taken to recruit British policemen.

The papers include: Bahrain State Police conditions of service (folios 484-502); miscellaneous papers concerned with the individuals recruited (folios 412-483); discussion of the possible use of US Provost personnel, March-September 1944 (including correspondence from the 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. , the Foreign Office, the War Office, and 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. ); discussion of the possible use of British military police and National Fire Service personnel, August-October 1944; papers concerning the recruitment of British police officers from the United Kingdom (including correspondence from the Home Office, and the various constabularies involved); their terms and conditions; lists of applicants and interview papers; papers concerning the British policemen's uniform, pay, and passage to Bahrain; and papers concerning conditions in Bahrain, and the resignation of Inspector Charles H Crowe, October-December 1945.

The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

Extent and format
1 file (502 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 503; 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. Foliation anomaly: 1b.

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English in Latin script
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Coll 30/210(2) 'Bahrein Oil: Employment of U.S.Provost Personnel for Control of American labour.' [‎7v] (16/1013), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/3951A, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100070648669.0x000013> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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