Page 1832 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

1829

1944

Fort. Had up about 40 police of over 4 yrs of whom all but two reenlisted for
another 2 years. If the rest do so at same rate all is well. HH & Sh A in the
office where they waited an hour expecting to call on PR, at the end of the hour told
to call again tomorrow - rather uncivil! Busy morning in office. Had Hutchings for
a long time discussing car etc.

Dined with Parker to meet Air Marshall Slessor, a pleasant man who had been on the
Darfur show, and lived in Oxfordshire so we had lots of things & people to discuss,
several other RAF personages with him & a rather nice very tall - 6'7 AOC who after
reading my report asked questions about Bn for nearly an hour. A deplorable dinner
but pleasant company.

Wednesday 18th October

M not well & stayed in bed. Mrs Sawaf came to see her having arrived with the other
women teachers from Basra. Weather a little cooler but still hot for the time of
year. HH called on GP & return at Palace, uneventful except that HH, against my
advice, asked for an interview about Zabara. I had recommended him to wait. GP
looked less ill then last time he came here. Office, saw Wakelin & discussed his
travel bill, he didnt seem to appreciate that it was incorrect to put in for wife &
family's expenses, quite without shame. Didnt go out. Hailey & Lloyd Jones of
Airways came round & stayed some time. Seeds not going well, planted nearly
fortnight ago.

Thursday 19th October

Fort.

Innumerable people came to see me including the head of the eight American
detectives, a solid looking elderly man whose chief claim to fame was that he dealt
with security arrangements when the King & Queen were in America. Campbell came in
with another RAF intelligence man & various other people called as well.
Weather getting cool, quite pleasant in the evening.

In afternoon went to Rafaa as HH was having a talk with GP about Zubara, HH talked on
as usual, really quite well, & GP looking sour. I stayed on some time & then drove