Page 1537 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1942

Sunday 15th February

Office. Various people came in Mrs Harbottle about hospital matters. Some
sulkiness in the Office owing to rows between the senior clerks, it doesnt often
happen but is disagreeable when it occurs.

The garden coming on well.

Rehearsed for parade in morning with the Special Police who looked very smart.

Went to Sakhri with Wakefield in his car, his Arabic is remarkably good
considering he has only been learning for 5 months. HH loked very tired, he has
hurt his ankle & wont rest it.

Had tea with them afterwards, a nursery tea, the Steeles too were there. M to Mhq
school.

Monday 16th February

HH's Accession Holiday

Heavy rain at night & early morning the palace yard full of water, after using two
fire engines & lots of prisoners we got it dry & spread with sand. Parade PM,
went off quite well but not, I thought, as well as some of the practises, HH
looked very tired. Wakefield attended & a few English, rather a marked absence of
local Arabs which I cannot account for. The rain held off though the sky was
pitch black.

Went to the fort before dinner to give away shooting prizes & shield, the Police
had their annual supper, about 500 men, cinema & gramaphones. Then to bridge &
dinner with Rodstrom, rather a gloomy party, the war news is very bad, Singapore,
Dutch E Indies & everything.

Tuesday 17th February