Page 2017 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

2014

1945

sell a car & export it. Agreed that Sulman had better wait till GP goes before stirring the matter, he was very
sensible about it all, Sulman said he was like the grave digger who dug graves for all the people who died
but when his turn came there was nobody to dig one for him, which being interpreted meant he gave all the
family extra allowances, out of his pocket, but got no extra himself. Saw Ahmed Omran & discussed schools
& the Municipality, Egyptian teachers are squabbling among themselves - he says they are notorious for this,
as I know, in the same way as Syrians are notoriously mercenary. The new ALO came round, a heavy
looking young man, I did not take to him, though, I am told, he was at Winchester. To Jidda in the afternoon,
great things done there with the new well which has a 20 feet head. Cable from M saying Holmes "off" I
wonder why.

Friday 1st February

A strong Koos wind all night then absolutely still in the morning till a very strong shamaal blew up, very cold
& some drizzle. Sh K came at about 11 & had a rough crossing. Sat & talked for awhile about the
ammunition case & heard how he sent a man across to Persia in our launch who went inland to the village &
got one of the men concerned with the affair. Saw de Souza, Airways cook, who is doing time for cheating
the Company, for 20 years he has been cheating various masters, he said that he gave Crowe a pearl necklace
in return for Crowe arranging for him to work as cook at the Fort instead of going to Jidda also told us about
2000/- of his money said to be paid back to BOAC - which requires checking. Walked all over the island &