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money, their laundry to be taken care of, refused to undertake any labour tasks, and

requested access to a radio. 886

In the early part of 1957 the Ruler of Bahrain considered once again

retaining Belgrave as a Personal Adviser or as a representative of the Government in

London, and making regular visits to Bahrain. The Resident felt that such a proposal

was unacceptable and instructed the Political Agent to notify the Sheikh on 27

March with the Residency’s views. Although Burrows did not mind having Belgrave

represent the Ruler in London and to visit Bahrain only on an annual basis, he

rejected any arrangement to further involve Belgrave in the Government’s work or

for him to make a series of visits to the islands throughout the year. 887 The Adviser

was now expected to finally retire by summer but fate intervened to hasten his

departure. After a medical examination on 11 April a growth on the Adviser’s

bladder was detected. Because of his medical condition he was to leave Bahrain as

soon as possible to seek treatment in Britain. Bahrain Radio announced Belgrave’s

departure but did not say whether he was going to return. The Ruler wished to see

the Adviser back before his expected retirement in the summer of 1957. 888

Before Belgrave’s departure he met with the Resident, who asked him his

thoughts on the political party and whether it should have been left to run.

Belgrave’s reply was typically devious, saying that it might have been better to have

been left to its own devices so ‘that people could see for themselves what were the

result of political controversy here’. Burrows agreed with Belgrave’s view and the

886 TNA, FO 371/126895, Sir J. Harford to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, 4 February 1957.
887 TNA, FO 1016/552, Burrows to FO, 4 April 1957.
888 TNA, FO 371/126897, Burrows to FO, 13 April 1957.

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