IOR/R/15/2/1820

The file comprises maps and notes prepared in anticipation of the stopping off at Bahrain of Indian Army regiments that were part of Indian Expeditionary Force D, which travelled from Bombay to Basra in October 1914, and went on to fight in the Mesopotamian campaign of the First World War. The regiments stopped at Bahrain between 23 and 30 October 1914. However, in spite of the preparations made, no troops or livestock left the Expeditionary Force ships which moored off the Bahrain coast.

The file contains:

• three hand drawn maps (one original and two tracings) showing the proposed sites for camps, and planned routes for infantry and animals from the selected disembarkation points in Manama, to the camps (ff 4-5, ff 6-8, ff 9-11);
• a carbon-copied sketch map of a camp, located one mile south of Manama, with allocated plots within the camp for different regiments, many of which were part of the 6th (Poona) Division (f 3);
• a general note entitled ‘camping grounds in Bahrain Island’ (f 2);
• disembarkation notes, identifying the customs jetty, Political Agency jetty, and the Gray Paul & Company jetty, as the three points where disembarkation could take place (ff 12-13);
• a note on the availability of drinking water in Bahrain, including surface wells, deep wells, sea springs and island springs (ff 14-15);
• further notes on the two possible camping grounds identified (ff 16-18);
• a note on supplies, with brief details of fuel and fodder (f 19);
• notes for the ADMS [Assistant Director of Medical Services] on the climate and sanitary situation at Bahrain (f 20);
• duties of various people who would be involved in the disembarkation and supply of provisions (f 21).