Coll 30/114 'Proceedings of H.M. Ships.' [‎10r] (19/1203)

East Indios letter No,618/E.I,166 of 4/6/39 (Cont*d)
As Norfolk” had to arrive at Aden on the 2nd
day to turn over to ’’Gloucester”, and time was an important
factor, I decided to return to Bandar Shapur by train with
the detachment, rather than by air to Basrah via Eabbaniya,
The detachment marched from the Military Academy to Tehran
railway station at 1830 on the 26th of April, where
iracticaljy the whole of the British community was assembled
to bid them farewell; the train left at 2000 to the
accompaniment of Auld Lang Syne and tumultuous cheers.
We arrived in Bandar Shapur at 2210 on the 27th April and
embarked in ”Nprfolk” at 2246, thus ending a memorable
and most interesting visit.
I think I may claim that.the visit was an
unqualified success. This was very largely due to the
admirable arrangements made by all concerned. We owe
a deep debt of gratitude to H.B.M. Minister, Tehran,
Lieutenant Colonel H.J. Underwood, the Military Attach#,
and to the Legation Staff. Not only were the arrangements
made before the visit admirable in every way, but during
our actual visit H.B.M. Minister and Mrs. Seymour and the
entire Legation Staff were kindness itself, individually
and collectively. We turned to them in any troubles major
or minor, and all were met and disposed of with calm and
rapid efficiency. We all received wonderful individual
hospitality and H.B.M. Minister had caused tents to be
erected in the Legation Compound for the ratings of the
Guard, where they could take tea, enjoy the amenities of a
wet canteen and buy curios, etc,, from a shop at fair and
proper prices.
10 , The preliminary arrangements also involved the
staff of the Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulfjin
considerable extra work, which was cheerfully undertaken
and well executed. Lieutenant Commander FoRoW. Parish,
RcN,, Staff Officer Operations on the staff of the Senior
Naval Officer, proceeded to Tehran 10 days before the
visit was due to commence, and his arrangements in
conjunction with the Military Attach# were admirable* and
were responsible in no small measure for the smooth running
of the whole programme. This officer, in addition, acted
a© my Flag Lieutenant during the visit and was of the
greatest assistance to me,
11. I wish also to record my gratitude to the Air
Officer Commanding, Iraq and the R.A.F. personnel, concerned,
for providing aircraft to fly us to Teheran end for their
hospitality to my Secretary and myself at Rabbaniya, and
for all the arrangements made for our comfort during the
flight. In this connection I consider it was very
unfortunate that the R.A.F. personnel of the five
Valentia aircraft were not officially of the British
Delegation, Whilst the R.A.Fo Officers attended all the
entertainments to which the British Naval Officers were
invited, yet I feel that by not being officially of the
Delegation they were at times placed in a somewhat
invidious position vis-a-vis the Iranians.