'File 8/16 Bahrain Intelligence Reports' [‎98r] (195/432)

(iii) Reference paragraph 6 (ii) of Intelligence Summary
No*2 of 194**
Major K*Holmes, Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. Surgeon, Bushire<
arrived from Muscat on the 16th February.
(iv) On the 17th February c 'ir Horace Seymour and Sir :
Eric Teichman passed through Bahrain on their journey by aii 1
to China, via India.
His Late High ness Shaikh Sir Hamad bin 'Isa al Khalifah,
K.C.IoS., C.l.I .
(i) The anniversary of the accession of Shaikh Hanad
v/as celebrated on the 16th February. A ceremonial parade
of the State forces was held in front of the palace.Shaikh
Hamad attended the parade but, as he was having trouble witl
a rheumatic leg, remained seated throughout. I^also attend
ed jshe parade and noticed that Shaikh Hamad looked tired and
dra T ,;n. After the parade the Shaikh went to stay at his
country house at Rumaitha.
(ii) At about 8.30 p.m. on the I7th February Shaikh
Hamad had a stroke while saying his prayers. He fell on
his &ide, unconscious, and never subsequently recovered
consciousness. Dr.Snow (State Medical Officdr), Dr.Holmes
( Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. Surgeon) and Dr.Harrison (American Mission)
attended Shaikh Hamad and one of them was always with him
until he died at about 13.15 p.m. on Friday, February 20th.
At the time of his death only Dr.Holmes and one or two ser
vants were present. Members of the family had left the
house to take their midday meal.
Shaikh Hamad was buried in the cemetery at Rafa'
on the afternoon of the 20th February. No public notice of
the funeral was given and several close relatives were un
able to be present.
Shaikh Hamad r s death at the age of about 70 occas
ioned general and sincere grief. Not only had he proved
a^true friend of the British Government but he had - always
given a friendly and sympathetic hearing to all who came"
to him with their troubles. Messages of condolence were
received from all quarters of the £ globe.
H is Highness Shaikh Salman bin Hamad al Khalifah .
It was generally supposed that when Shaikh Hamad
died the succession would be disputed. Many people expect
ed that Shaikh Abdullah bin ^Isa, the younger of Shaikh
Hamad f s two surviving brothers, would seize the power;
many expected that Shaikh Salman bin Hamad, the late Ruler's
eldest son, would command the greatest support: some regard
ed one or other of Shaikh Salman's younger brothers as
potentially successful claimants; while among the Baharina
there were not a few who expected the British Government,
on the death of Shaikh Hamad, to assume direct control of
the Bahrain Administration. Few expected the peaceful
transition from one rule to another which has in fact taken
place.
On the evening prior to Shaikh Hamad's death,
Shaikh Abdullah paid a private visit to Shaikh Salman and
promised to support him'if, in the event of Shaikh Hamad
dying, he would agree to succeed his father. After
discussion Shaikh Salman agreed to take his father's place