Page 2016 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

2013

1945

Wednesday 30th January

Fort, rode through the bazaar on my way back, it is simply full of stuff especially cigarettes for which there is
now no Black Market as they are so plentiful. Spent a long time at the Customs with Smith & S Mahmood
discussing the food situation, which seems to be very satisfactory, we have four months supply in hand and
have cleared all losses. The loss on animals was big & a very bad show. Then to the Fort where I had a talk
with Sh K & Cochrane who seems very sensible & intelligent, discussed mostly vehicle problems. A letter
from M saying Holmes agreed to take James for summer, very convenient. Some APOC people brought to
call by Radstrom, a couple called Gibson, Scotch & common but pleasant. Black came in to call. Dined
with the Leighs, Anderson & OC RAF were there, too big a fire & very stuffy, good dinner, partridge, sent
by someone in Iraq.

Thursday 31st January

South wind, rather warm day. Didnt go to the Fort, worked upstairs, the Amir of Manama came,
complaining about Khalifah, he seems to have stopped working, quite a decent fellow, Persian. Sh
Abdulla came & discussed Sulman's recent report about Zubara & his finances, also about his, A's wanting to