IOR/R/15/2/283

The file’s contents relate to the employment of askari guards (local soldiers) employed as security personnel in the Royal Air Force Levy Corps at the RAF base at Sharjah, and in particular to the discipline of these askaris, and incidents of theft from the RAF base allegedly involving askaris. The principal correspondents in the file are the Political Officer for the Trucial Coast, the Political Agent at Bahrain (numerous incumbents in each post), and Air Ministry and RAF officials at Sharjah and Air Headquarters in Iraq. Topics covered in the file include: the theft of 84,000 rupees from RAF Sharjah; other incidents of theft, including of petrol and arms; general concerns over the employment of askaris, and proposals for their replacement by Baluchis recruited through the Government of India; the death of an askari, shot dead by an RAF Levy while fleeing from the base; and discussion over pay rises for the askaris. A copy of the proceedings of the RAF Court of Enquiry into the death of the askari guard, dated 4 January 1945, is included in the file (folios 32-40). Details of the RAF Levies at Sharjah, including a breakdown of rank and numbers of askaris employed, dated 21 February 1946, is also included (folio 42).