This page catalogues documents, photographs etc. related particularly Harold Hindle James, known to his family as "Huck", and to his friends as "Jimmy"; his father was my maternal grandfather's eldest brother.
A very large collection of HHJ's papers, along with those of his father Henry Rosher James (1862-1931) and brother Eric Trevenen James (1904-1989) and other relatives, came to light in the summer of 2010, in the possession of Eric's stepson, Geoffrey Fox (b. 1938). It appears that they were retained by Eric at his house, "Challonsleigh", Whitchurch, Tavistock, Devon. That house, and the nearby "Edgemoor House", Middlemoor, Tavistock PL19 9DY (which was previously owned by the parents of Eric's wife, Guglielma Fox (also née Fox), and was where Geoffrey Fox was born) are still owned by Geoffrey Fox and his wife Vicky, though they spend most of the year at their farm in Tanzania, and the houses are rented out as holiday lets. In the summer of 2010 I made two visits to the Foxes in Devon, and Geoffrey Fox kindly gave me all the papers he had.
The collection was large and disorganised, with related material scattered and mixed up with other documents, and the process of sorting and cataloguing it has been a slow one. Some material also comes from other sources, in particular from HHJ's cousins Margaret Beagley (née Scott) and Robert CT James. Significant progress was made during the Covid-19 "lockdown" of 2020, which uncovered a number of items previously thought to be lost, and allowed multiple copies of some items (in some cases from different sources) to be reunited. Scans of many more documents were added to the website, and are linked from this page, which is now a fairly complete catalogue of the available material, though work still remains to be done on loose photographs. Separate catalogues are in preparation for material in the collection related to HHJ's brother, father, and other relatives.
Since establishing this website, the material concerning HHJ's long service and residence in the Middle East has attracted interest from a number of historians of British involvement in the region, and some of it is already cited in several publications. In the light of a bequest stipulated in HHJ's Will [HHJ/40], which appears not to have been acted upon by his Executors, it is my intention ultimately to donate the entire collection to HHJ's alma mater, Christ Church College, Oxford, where he was a student 1912-1914. In the meantime, material which I have transcribed or scanned is linked directly from the full catalogue below.
John Barnard
15 Oct 2020
Memoirs etc.:
Correspondence
Work with Unemployed Men's Clubs 1932-34
Scrapbooks
Poetry, Creative Writing and Publications
HHJ's photograph albums generally contain a mixture of material from different periods of his life; the following list gives a brief indication of the contents of each album
Other Material
N.B. Reference numbers with pale blue backgrounds are links to scanned or transcribed versions of the items in question.
| Number & Link |
Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| HHJ-1 |
Collected miscellaneous correspondence (both from and to HHJ), covering the entirety of his life. This item consists of several hundred individual letters and other miscellaneous documents not separately catalogued below, sorted into chronological order and filed in eight large ring binders. Transcripts and scans of selected letters from this item are catalogued under HHJ/21. Other correspondence on specific subjects is catalogued as HHJ/42/2, HHJ/48, HHJ/49, HHJ/50 and HHJ/51. |
Documents from Challonsleigh and other sources; held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-2 | Commission papers as
|
Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-3 | Photo album of HHJ's from WW1 RFC service, including aerial photos of France and Egypt. | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-4 | Hansard Vol 295, No. 185. House of Lords 25 Jul 1967. Including question on treatment of HHJ by Egyptian authorities (Col. 687). Question asked by Marquess of Salisbury (Conservative), answered by Lord Chalfont (Minister of State of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs), with contributions from Lords Rowley (Labour), Carrington (Conservative leader in the Lords), Wakefield of Kendal (Conservative), and Segal (Labour), and from Baroness Emmet of Amberley (Conservative). The Minister indicated that the Government did not make a formal protest to the Egyptian authorities as it "would not have been in [HHJ's] own interest." | Document from Challongsleigh; held by John Barnard |
| HHJ-5 | Invitation to investiture at Buckingham Palace (4 Mar 1930) (presumably his OBE). | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-6 | [Letters incorporated into HHJ/1] | |
| HHJ-7 | Description of HHJ's personal experiences during the Suez Crisis, with comments on its aftermath and in particular on the American position [4pp typescript, dated 18 Dec 1956] | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-8 | [Letters incorporated into HHJ/1] | |
| HHJ-9-1 | Report on Present Situation in Spanish Morocco, 21 Mar - 2 Apr 1932 (8pp manuscript notes and sketchmap) | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-9-2 | Report on tour of Black Sea ports, including Russia, aboard SS Iseo 6-22 June 1935 (16pp typescript, with 4pp sketches of planes, ships etc., and 3pp manuscript letter) | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-9-3 | Intourist Soviet Visa application form and draft itinerary for proposed Russian tour Istanbul-Odessa-Moscow-Leningrad-London July 1935 | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-10 | Press cuttings re expulsion from Egypt in 1967 | Collated from Challonsleigh and papers of RCT James; held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-11 | Photos of HHJ invested with OBE in 1930, and as newly-commissioned officer. | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-12 | Small envelope of photos including HHJ's grave on Malta | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-13 | Various loose photos, some showing HHJ with goatee beard | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-14 | Miscellaneous photos from southern Egypt | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-15-1 | Birth certificate (GRO Births 1894 Q2 Barton Regis 6a 48) showing birth of Harold Hindle James on 1 March 1894. | PDF copy from General Register Office Jan 2020 |
| HHJ-15-2 | Passport no. C544564 issued to S/Ldr Harold HINDLE-JAMES by HBM Consul, Florence, 18 Dec 1967. Contains single entry visa for Malta dated 8 Oct 1968. The date of birth shown (1 Mar 1895) is incorrect (see HHJ-15-1). | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-15-3 | Maltese death certificate dated 12 Mar 1969. Specifies death at St Catherine of Sienna Hospital, Attard, Malta on 2 Feb 1969. Gives age of deceased as 75 (he was actually 74 years 11 months). | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-15-4 | British High Commission (Malta) death certificate issued 20 March 1969. Gives age of deceased as 73 (he was actually 74 years 11 months). | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-16 | "Grant of dignity" of an Officer in the Military Division of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) to Flight-Lieutenant Harold Hindle James, dated 15 Mar 1929. Signed by the Grand Master of the Order, "Edward P" (Edward, Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII) and"on behalf of His Majesty" (King George V) by "Mary R" (Mary, Queen Consort) and "Albert" (Prince Albert, Duke of York, later King George VI) . | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-17 | In Remembrance of Some Tribal Wanderings on Special Service in Iraq 1924-1926: Diary with Letters and Some Verse. Typescript notes by HHJ. See sub-entries below. [See also HHJ-34 concerning continued service 1927-1929] | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-17-1 |
Title
page, contents and dedicatory poem "to RJS"
[Robert Jope-Slade] [pp 1-3]
|
|
| HHJ-17-2 |
Section
1. Outward Bound: and Language. Leave in Iraq. Diary entries 25 Jul - 9
Aug 1924 [pp. 4-20]. Voyage to Port Said aboard S. S. Naldera;
train to Haifa; car to Baghdad via Acre, Tyre, Beiruit &
Damascus
|
|
| HHJ-17-3 |
Section
1, contd. Letters dated 17 Aug and 20 Sep; undated diary entry: all
written at Hillah [pp. 21-35]. Brief reminiscence of
earlier visit during Arab
Revolt; lodging arrangements; dinner with Gertrude Bell; peasants'
reaction to lunar eclipse; visits to Shaikhs Abbud al Haimur and to
Umran al Hajji Sadoun (ref. to diary of Revolt) with "Mr and Mrs K.";
visit to Najaf; visit to Kerbala during Shi'a pilgrimage and visit to
Agha Mustapha Khan (nephew of Agha Khan III); personal impressions of
government and role of British; impressions of Arab life in
Hillah.
|
|
| HHJ-17-4 |
Section
1, contd. Letters dated 30 Sep, 12 and 13 Oct 1924 [pp.
36-46]. Work and social life with "Capt.
O'C"
(British advisor to Arab army); visit to Najaf and rumour of Wahabi
attack; visit to Kufah, and reminiscences of 1920 siege there;
meeting with Hajji Abbud; visit to Abu Sukhair and Ja'ara with
recollections of his own bombing raids on them in 1920; visit to Shi'a
tribes and discussions with Shaikh Umrad al Khalil of Jabar tribe;
execution of shaikh from Nasariyeh tribe at Hillah.
|
|
| HHJ-17-5 |
Section
1, contd. Letter dated 17 Oct 1924; diary entries dated 26 & 27
Oct 1924 [pp. 47-58]. Histories of his Christian Arabic
teacher and Assyrian personal
servant; visit to Bedouin Shammar tribe; deaths of British twin babies;
visit to Diwaniyah and Shamiyah district, meeting with Jewish
community and Marsh Arabs; visits to Shaikh Sulman al Dhahir of Khazail
tribe and Saiyid Muhsin abu Tabikh.
|
|
| HHJ-17-6 |
Section
1, contd. Diary entries dated 27 & 28 Oct 1924
[pp. 59-71]. Visit to Bhar al
Shinifiyeh; meetings with son of Saiyid Alwan ibn Abbas and with Shaikh
Dakhil ibn Sha'alan (discussion of British bombing raids and injustice
of previously-mentioned execution); stories of anti-British Abdul Wahid
of Fatlah tribe; visit to Kamil al Chalib; arrival at house of Abdul
Wahid.
|
|
| HHJ-17-7 |
Section
1, conclusion. Diary entries dated 28 & 29 Oct 1924; poem: In a
Garden Near Farhan [pp. 72-77]. Discussions with
Abdul Wahid; treatment of British prisoners after "Manchester
disaster"; return by car to Diwaniyah; interview with Bedouin Shaikh
suspected of involvement in disappearance of RAF officers; return to
Baghdad.
|
|
HHJ-17-8 |
Section
2. Baghdad. Letters dated 5 Nov, 13 Nov & 11 Dec 1924 &
7 Jan 1925 [pp. 78-86] Frustrations of office-based job at
Headquarters in Baghdad under Col. D. (G.S.O.I. of Intelligence Dept.);
working
with "Flt. Lt. J-S" [Robert Jope-Slade]; 5-day tour to Shergat; meeting
with Sir Henry Dobbs (High Commissioner to Iraq); cold weather and
snow; tea with Gertrude Bell; new tour sanctioned.
|
|
| HHJ-17-9 |
Section
2, contd. Diary entries 11-29 Jan 1925 [pp.
87-100]. Tour to Baquba, Sharaban,
Kingerban, Tuz, Kirkuk, Arbil, Mosul with Jope-Slade; visit to ancient
Assyrian Christian monastery (possibly Deir Mar Bihnam); anxieties of
Mosul
Christians; return to Baghdad via Shergat and new oil works.
|
|
| HHJ-17-10 |
Section
2, contd. Letters dated 29 Jan, 9 & 16 March, 6 Apr and 25 May
1925
[pp. 101-108]. Moved into new mess with Jope-Slade; departure of Chief
of Intelligence Col. D on home leave; changes in weather; attack on
Baghdad-Beirut
motot convoy and killing of French vice-consul's wife; return of
Jope-Slade from 3-week tour; floods in Baghdad; "Baghdad boil" on ear;
farewell weekend boat trip with Jope-Slade.
|
|
| HHJ-17-11 |
Section
2, conclusion. Letters dated 8 & 21 Jun 1925; poem: Baghdad,
Farewell! [pp. 109-112]. New job as Special Service
Officer in Ramadi district.
|
|
| HHJ-17-12 |
Section
3: Special service, Tribal Duties in the Dulaim Liwa, and Shamiya
Desert. Letters dated 30 Jun, 5 & 16 Jul and 12 Aug 1925
[pp. 113-129]. Houshold in Ramadi; Major Y. (Administrative Inspector);
visit to Shaikh Fahad Beg al Hadhdhal of Anizah tribal confederation;
tour with Major Y. to Albu Kamal (Syria) via Hit, Haditha, Anah, and al
Gaim; meeting with Lieut. Le M (French counterpart); "capture" of
Bedouin Shaikh Dahir ibn Ali; visit to Bedouin Akhwan refugees fleeing
Ibn Saud; complex intrigues between Iraqi government, Bedouin tribes
and Sultan Ibn Saud; tour to Rahaiyah and Skikatah Oases; visit to
Kerbala and Baghdad.
|
|
| HHJ-17-13 |
Section
3, contd. Letters dated 26 Aug, 10 & 13 Sep and 7 Oct 1925
[pp. 130-141]. Tour to Najaf area with Flight-Lieut. M. SSO of
Southeastern area) to investigate tribal quarrals among Anizah; visit
to Ukhaidir castle;
delay in sand-drift with British driver Shutes; visit
to Fahad Beg at Fallujah; tour towards Janf in Ibn Saud's territory
visiting unusual spring in underground cavern; letter from Col. D.
congratulating him on report; tours to Jaziah district near Syrian
border, and to Shamiyah district and encounters with raiders; meetings
with visiting notables "Lord C" and "Lady H". ["Lord C" cannot be Lord
Curzon, who as Viceroy of India would have known HHJ's father, as he
died in March 1925]
|
|
| HHJ-17-14 |
Section
3, contd. Letters dated 7, 14, 18 & 29 Oct 1925
[pp. 142-154]. Mail difficulties; his brother Bob's (Eric Trevenen
James) appointment to Uganda; retirement of Major Y.; Mosul question
[Turkish claim to Mosul]; gift from Fahad Beg; tour to Dulaimiah and
Shamiyah; disputes between Dulaini and Bani Tanuin tribes;British
driver Shutes; visit to Fahad Beg's winter encampment and sandstorm;
refugees from
Hama (Syria) fleeing French; French maladministration in Syria;
encouraging letter from Col. D., but warning of restlessness in area.
|
|
| HHJ-17-15 |
Section
3, contd. Letters dated 18 Nov, 2, 15 & 24 Dec 1925; Poem,
"Desert Voices" [pp. 155-169]. Orders to transfer
to Diwaniyah; visit to Diwaniyah;
tours to Al Qaim and Jazirah district; rescue of shepherd from raiders;
Christmas at Ramadi with new Administrative Inspector, "Major W."
[W.C.F.A. Wilson] and his wife.
|
|
| HHJ-17-16 |
Section
IV. "Special Service;" tribal duties in Diwaniyah Liwa; Baghdad Floods;
a local "war"; and return to Europe on leave. Letters dated 5, 18
&
28 Jan 1926 [pp. 164-177]. Journey from Ramadi to
Diwaniyah
by boat down the Euphrates; tour to Jazirah desert area; attack on
Iraqi officer by highwaymen; Christmas
in Ramadi; brother Bob's departure for Colonial service in Uganda;
house and office in Diwaniyah; local staff and British driver Shutes;
battle between nomadic Shammar Bedouins and local farmers; Shammar
camel train.
|
|
| HHJ-17-17 |
Section
4, contd. Letters dated 31 Jan, 15 & 23 Feb, 2 & 28 Mar
1926
[pp. 178-193]. Tour to visit Fahad Beg al Hadhdhal; role of Fahad in
negotiating between Ali al Shuarabat, leader of Akhwan refugees
(HHJ-17-12) and Ibn Saud; moving camp with Bedouins; hunting with
hawks with Fahad's sons; problems with car solved using butter as motor
oil; meeting with Murhdi al Rufdi of Salgar section of
Anizah;
discussions with Mujhim ibn Muhaid of Fada'an section of Anizah from
Syria, who is pro-British but also supports Ibn Saud; cruelty to hare
when training hunting hawks; visits to Emir Ibrahim of the al Mouali
and Muhammed Pasha of the Bani Khalid tribes from Syria; camel ride
wearing Arab head-dress; unaffected behaviour of Bedouin women,
especially from Syrian tribes, and reaction of Iraqi Arabs; Arab
customs of hospitality; desert flora and fauna (including leopards) at
different seasons; plans for tour to investigate land dispute cases;
noises audible during Ramadan.
|
|
| HHJ-17-18 |
Section
4, contd. Letters dated 15 Mar, 6, 10, 14 & 19 Apr 1926
[pp. 194-206]. Monitoring of Government orders for redistribution of
land by Abardi al Hussain, Sheikh of the Fatlah in Hor ibn Najur marsh
region, north-east of Kufah; local influence and anti-British attitudes
of Shi'ite Saiyid holy men; investigation of mistreatment of hostile
tribesmen by brothers Abdul and Hassan Wahid al Sikr; visit to castle
of Abadi al Hussein
(Abdul Wahid's father-in-law) and progress of his son Sugban in dancing
foxtrot; visitors to his house at Diwaniyah; floods in Baghdad and
protection work; interview with Air-Vice Marshall concerning continued
service in Iraq; plans for aeroplane mission to impress "tiresome
chieftains".
|
|
| HHJ-17-19 |
Section
4, contd. Letters dated 23 Apr, 11 & 18 May, and 1 Jun 1926
[pp. 207-218]. Successful aeroplane mission to impress Abdul and Hassan
Wahid al Sikr; dispute between Abbas al Alwan of Kerid tribe and Sugban
al Hussein of Fatlah involving deaths of some of their negro slave
bodyguards; progress in investigation of Hassan Wahid torture case;
personal observations on character of Arab sheikhs; dispatch of
cigarette holder gift to Fahad Beg; touring tribal areas by horse;
house at Dagharah; completion of "target map" of Dagharah tribes;
murder [during 1920 revolt] of British political officer by Shaikh
Sa'adun al Risn, who remain at liberty; dropping ultimatums on unruly
tribesmen; defiance of government by occupants of Harhamah fort and
surrounding intrigues.
|
|
| HHJ-17-20 |
Section
4, contd. Letters dated 8 & 21 Jun 1926; undated [15 Jul 1926]
diary entry "Death of Miss Gertrude Bell"; letter dated 28 Jun 1926
[pp. 219-231]. Surrender of Harhamah fort without need for bombing, and
its subsequent levelling to ground; co-operation with "K" (local
Administrative Inspector); visit to Baghdad, and indecision from
Colonel on leave; report on Harhamah Fort episode viewed favourably by
High Commissioner; arranging new jobs for personal servants during his
leave; Iraqi grief at death of Gertrude Bell [on 12 Jul 1926]; Bell's
disappointment at official attitudes in her last years; comments on
T.E. Lawrence and recollections of seeing him; summer heat in
Diwaniyah; high levels of fever [presumably malaria] following earlier
floods; frustration at delayed leave; dealing with another intrigue by
rich tribal leader; comments on General Strike in UK; comments on
brother Bob's (E.T. James) proposed land acquisition in Africa.
|
|
| HHJ-17-21 |
Section
4, contd. Letter dated 27 Jun 1926; diary entry 18 Aug 1926; poem:
"Lament"
[pp. 232-241]. Preparations for home leave and plans for return;
farewell visits from local sheikhs inclduing Saoud Beg al Sa'doun,
brother of exiled pro-Turk Ajami Pasha; difference of opinion with
Squadron-Leader at AHQ resolved by appeal to Colonel; friendly
discussions with Colonel; crash at Hinaidi killing ten air force
fellows; reminiscences of one of them, Sterling-Webb; Shi'ite Muharram
festival at Dagharah with women beating their breasts; returning home
for six months' leave by car via Palmyra, Homs and Tripoli to Beirut,
then coastal steamer to Cyprus; visits to Farmagasta, Nicosia and
Limossol; comments on how cathedrals remain in Moslem hands despite
British administration, and importance of British imperial prestige.
|
|
| HHJ-17-22 |
Manuscript drafts
and duplicate pages, possibly with some material omitted from HHJ/17/1
to HHJ/1/21
|
|
| HHJ-18-1 | Personal witness statement concerning the Cairo riots of 26 January 1952, during which the Turf Club was attacked, and several Britons in it were murdered, with appendices dated 30 Jan and 5 Feb. Multiple typewritten copies, one with MS addition concerning attempted attack on HHJ's flat, one forwarded to HHJ's brother-in-law Donald Mackinnon with covering note dated 21 Feb 1952 from Richard Casey, then Australian Minister for External Affairs. Annotated transcript prepared from RCT James's copy by John Barnard, May 2009. | Original copies from Challonsleigh and from papers of RCT James; held by John Barnard |
| HHJ-18-2 | Letter concerning "The Arab Refugee Plight in Gaza Area", dated 16 Mar 1952, and published in The Egyptian Gazette. Marginal note "received 27.3.1952" in hand of HHJ's aunt Ethel James. Describes his visit to Gaza refugee camps, Feb 1952. [Original newspaper cutting now filed in HHJ/1] | Original newspaper cutting from papers of RCT James, now held by John Barnard |
| HHJ-18-3 | [Letter incorporated into HHJ/1] | |
| HHJ-18-4 | [Letter incorporated into HHJ/1] | |
| HHJ-18-5 | Manuscript letter (in pencil), dated 25 Apr 1955, describing the history of HHJ's involvement in the Arab world, and mentioning his acquaintance with such people as St John Philby, Gertrude Bell and Glubb Pasha. | Original MS from papers of RCT James, now held by John Barnard. A note on the back in Margaret Beagley's hand, suggests that he obtained it from her. |
| HHJ-19 | Typed Curriculum vitae covering period 1914-1941 with appendix dated July 1950. N.B. The date of birth shown (1 Mar 1895) is incorrect (see HHJ-15-1). | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-20 | Typed notes on tour of Middle East June/July 1942 (Cairo - Adana - Mersin - Aleppo - Tripoli - Damascus - Beirut - Haifa - Jerusalem | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-21 | Scans and transcriptions of letters selected from HHJ/1, as listed below: | |
| HHJ-21-1 |
1902-1915. HHJ to
his parents: Covering
childhood, adolescence, undergraduate career at Oxford, and the first
few months of World War I.
|
Transcriptions by John Barnard |
| HHJ-21-2 |
17 Jan 1920 from
Cairo (HHJ to his mother): Work as commander of Special Instructional
Flight; first flight for over a year; new aircraft delivered; New
Year’s Eve celebrations at Shepheard’s Hotel;
Robert
Hartman’s birthday dance, and return to England; cutting back
on expense of social life; family enquiries
|
Transcription by John Barnard |
| HHJ-22 | Formal photographs of HHJ and his sister Mollie as children | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-23 | Envelope of photos marked "snapshots Latrigg 1915". Some identified on back, with family members in Lake District scenes, including HHJ in uniform. | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-24 | Telegram from Queen Mary's private secretary to HHJ in Cairo, dated 31 May 1952, thanking him for his birthday greetings to the Queen, who was 85 on 26 May 1952. | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-25 | Photo of HHJ (seated figure on right) in Arab dress in a Bedouin tent. Comparison with a photograph in the HHJ/58 album suggests that the seated figure on the left is Sheikh Mahrut al Hadhdhal, the eldest son of Sheikh Fahad Beg al Hadhdhal, who is mentioned frequently in HHJ's memoirs (HHJ-17-12, p. 117). | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-26 | [Letters transferred to HHJ/1] | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-27 | Folder of miscellaneous photographs (mainly HHJ as a boy, though also some of his father as a young man) | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-28 | Photos of HHJ aged 3 months, 6 months, with his father aged about 3 years, and with his father aged about 7 years | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-29 | Typescript account of HHJ's visit to Saudi Arabia, March 1937, as a guest of H.E. Sheik Hafiz Wahba, Saudi Arabian Minister in London. He describes meetings with the British Minister Sir Reader Bullard, the Arabist St John Philby, HRH Amir Faisal (later King Faisal) and a private audience with King Saud himself. He also describes his return journey to Egypt on a ship carrying pilgrims returning from Mecca [21pp]. | Original document retrieved from Challonsleigh, summer 2010, and held by John Barnard. |
| HHJ-30 | Handwritten softback diary covering period 31 Aug 1910 to 25 Mar 1911. Begins on holiday in Whitby with [unidentified] aunt (who celebrated birthday on 3 Sep 1910), and mentions sister Molly, brother Eric and [unidentified] "cousin" Desirée | |
| HHJ-31 | Four
Years of War Flying: Experiences and Episodes as Observer or Pilot.
[Incomplete memoir of World War I service, 1919. Transcription and
annotation of Preface by John Barnard, Aug 2020].
|
|
| HHJ-32 | Handwritten softback diary covering part of HHJ's service as a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps in World War I. See sub-entries below. | From Challonsleigh; held by John Barnard |
| HHJ-32-1 |
Diary
entries from 30 Jan to 23 Mar 1917, covering service based at Rabegh,
Hedjaz (Saudi Arabia) and Aden [34 double pages, manuscript]
|
|
| HHJ-32-2 |
Diary entried from
24 Mar to 9 Jun 1917, covering service in Egypt and Palestine [36
double pages, manuscript]
|
|
| HHJ-32-3 |
Additional
material from back of diary, including flight log for period 4 to 10
July 1916 (Houslow and Northolt aerodromes), and notes on procedures
for flying in Arabia [3 double pages, manuscript]
|
|
| HHJ-33 | Maltepe and Mesopotamia 1920-1921. Memoirs of RAF service with 55 Squadron. Probably intended as a supplement to a completed version of HHJ-31. See sub-entries below | From Challonsleigh; held by John Barnard |
| HHJ-33-1 |
I. With Q Force at
Maltepe [Turkey] July to September 1920 [26pp typescript]
|
|
| HHJ-33-2 |
II. Mesopotamia
[Iraq] October 1920 to February 1921 [38pp typescript]
|
|
| HHJ-33-3 |
Conclusion: India;
March-April 1921 [manuscript]
|
|
| HHJ-34 | Collection of manuscript letters relating to continued work as RAF Special Service Officer in Iraq, 1927-29 (see also HHJ-17 covering 1924-26) | |
| HHJ-35 | Firm Earth My Comrade: Memoirs of a Grounded Airman. Very substantial (500+ pages) set of typescript memoirs covering the period 1929-1952. This entry links to annotations prepared by John Barnard in 2020, and the sub-entries below link to scans of the individual episodes. | From Challonsleigh; held by John Barnard |
| HHJ-35-0 |
Foreword (4pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-1 |
Episode
1 (Feb-July
1929) On sick leave in France, England, Germany, Italy; Return to
Iraq (14pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-2 |
Episode 2 (Aug 1929
– Feb 1930) Convalescent in England (14pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-3 |
Episode 3
(Mar–Dec 1930) Further Sick Leave in France, Spain, England,
Portugal and Tangier (24pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-4 |
Episode 4
(Jan–Jun 1931) Invalided out of RAF; England, Tangier; Death
of Father (10pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-5 |
Episode 5 (1931-32)
Friends and Relatives in England; Visit to Morocco (11pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-6 |
Episode 6 (1933-34)
Unemployment Club (17pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-7 |
Episode 7 (1934)
Living in London (3pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-8 |
Episode 8 (1935)
Cargo ships in Mediterranean and Black Sea (47pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-9 |
Episode 9 (1935-36)
Back to the Middle East (9pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-10 |
Episode 10 (1936-37)
Civilian Liaison Officer (Middle East) with RAF (32pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-11 |
Episode 11 (1937)
Saudi Arabia (26pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-12 |
Episode 12 (Jun-Dec
1937) Liaison Officer, Middle East (14pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-13 |
Episode 13 (1938-39)
Living in Egypt with Mother (14pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-14 |
Episode 14 (1939-40)
Cyprus leave, transfer to Army HQ, suspension and resignation (20pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-15 |
Episode 15 (Sep-Dec
1940) Car Accident in Cairo (4pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-16 |
Episode 16 (1941)
Working for BOAC and Meeting Arab Royalty and Politicians (23pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-17 |
Episode 17 (Jan-Aug
1942) British
humiliation of Farouk, visits to Kenya, Sudan, Eritrea, Persia, Turkey;
Farouk’s meeting with Churchill (26pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-18 |
Episode 18 (Aug
1942–Sep 1943) Resignation from BOAC; Welfare Club at Benha
(29pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-19 |
Episode 19
(1944-1947) Cairo: Disputes with Embassy (42pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-20 |
Episode 20 Random
Thoughts (45pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-21 |
Episode 21
(1947-1949) Australia, England (29pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-22 |
Epilogue (1951-52)
Egyptian Revolution (54pp)
|
|
| HHJ-35-23 |
Supplementary
material, for which I have been unable to find context in the preceding
Episodes (6pp):
|
|
| HHJ-36 | Memorandum from HHJ, 2 Nov 1942, with details of his service history and other work, and complaining about the continuing failure of the authorities to offer him any employment on war service [9pp typescript, with typescript copy of letter from Group Captain K.C. Buss (18 Nov 1937) and extract from Foreign Office letter (8 Nov 1937), and manuscript copy of letter from Air Officer Commanding RAF Middle East (13 Feb 1939)] | |
| HHJ-37 | Précis Concerning my Circumstances in Egypt Since 1936, dated Nov 1953 [multiple copies typescript, some 3pp, some 4pp] | |
| HHJ-38 | Some Aspects of the Present Situation in Cairo as Noted from an Unofficial Angle, dated 15 Sep 1954 [multiple copies of 8pp typescript with 1p errata] | |
| HHJ-39 |
|
|
| HHJ-40 | HHJ's Will (dated 12 Sep 1963) and Grant of Probate to his brother E.T. James and cousin A.G.T. James (Executors) dated 15 May 1969 | Copy downloaded from HM Probate Registry, Feb 2020 |
| HHJ-41 | Iraq: An Epilogue. Comments following the Iraqi coup d'état and deposition and murder of members of the Royal family on 14 July 1958 [Multiple copies: manuscript and three different typescripts; scanned one has 4pp] | |
| HHJ-42 | Material concerning HHJ's work with support clubs for unemployed men in London (principally the Crypt Club, the Oval House Club and the summer athletic camps at Sutton Courtenay), 1933-35. See also HHJ-43 | |
| HHJ-42-1 |
Prince
Visits Campers: Oxford - Canvas colony of workless welcomes HRH! Royal
visitor spends carefree day with unemployed from his London estate.
British Paramount News newsreel film about visit of Prince of Wales to
Oval House Club summer camp at Sutton Courtenay. Original film reel in
metal canister.
|
Original item from Challongsleigh; held by John Barnard |
| HHJ-42-2 |
Miscellaneous
correspondence and reports. [Still to be sorted, Sep 2020]
|
Original material from Challongsleigh; held by John Barnard |
| HHJ-43 | Scrapbook
of press cuttings and other material relating to the club schemes for
unemployed men of the Kennington district November 1932-1934 (see also HHJ-42).
The scrapbook also contains much other material, some loose and some held in with paper clips, relating to work in the Middle East 1936 to 1950s, which probably needs sor of ofting (Sep 2020) and separate cataloguing. This includes:
|
|
| HHJ-44 | Lawrence of Arabia: An Epilogue and Vindication. Scrapbook of press cuttings and other material on T.E. Lawrence, compiled 25 Feb 1955. Several criticising Richard Aldington's 1955 biography of Lawrence, including HHJ's own (unpublished) letter to the Daily Telegraph. Also several pages of manuscript notes. [HHJ's 1917 service in the Hedjaz - see HHJ/32/1 - gave air support to Lawrence's campaign there, but he only met him briefly in Cairo some time later.] | |
| HHJ-45 | Royal Flying Corps Graduation Certificates 4 and 8 Aug 1916 | |
| HHJ-46 | British Joint Services communiques on Egyptian situation 13 Dec 1951 to 24 Jan 1952 | |
| HHJ-47 | Photograph album (brown cover) with mixed collection of
photographs including:
|
|
| HHJ-48 | Bound
file (red cover) of correspondence, marked "Vol II. Notes on Various
Endeavours in the cause of some human problems which have come my way":
|
|
| HHJ-49 | Bound file (green cover) of correspondence 1961-62: "Record of an attempted private initiative to assist in aiding British subjects and friends sympathetic to British ideals still in urgent need in Egypt, because of the Suez Crisis, and other disasters" (with covering note from Hugh Carless at Foreign Office to HHJ's brother Eric) | |
| HHJ-50 | Miscellaneous correspondence concerning HHJ's furniture and rugs stored with Ethel James and Daphne Grenfell (1960) | |
| HHJ-51 | Miscellaneous correspondence concerning compensation claim from Egyptian government June-Aug 1968 | |
| HHJ-52 | Some Literary Browsings: 16 Brief Essays. Hardback bound typescript, possibly of undergraduate essays. With heraldic bookplate and photo of HHJ | |
| HHJ-53 | Bound volume of writings (typescript) |
|
| HHJ-54 | Hardback volume of typescript poems by HHJ (with one by his father), and miscellaneous loose inserts | |
| HHJ-55 | Miscellaneous poems on loose typescript sheets, some dated (late WW1 to early 1920s) | |
| HHJ-56 | Royal Aero Club record card (dated 17 Jul 1916) and photograph | Images supplied by John Grech, 10 Apr 2009 (probably from RAF Museum Archives) |
| HHJ-57 | Photograph album: Egypt, Palestine, Hedjaz, UK, Italy 1917-1918; Convalescence 1919; Cairo 1920; Turkey and Iraq 1920; India 1921; Monmouth 1921; Hospital 1921-1922 [Black cover, 16.5x37cm] | Original item from Challongsleigh; held by John Barnard |
| HHJ-58 | Photograph album: Iraq 1924-1929; Egypt 1946, 1950s [Black cover, 30.5x25cm] | Original item from Challongsleigh; held by John Barnard |
| HHJ-59 | Photograph album: Continental Europe 1929-1931 [Brown cover with back missing, 23x17.5cm] | Original item from Challongsleigh; held by John Barnard |
| HHJ-60 | Photograph album: Spain and Portugal 1930; Morocco 1931; Cornwall July 1930 with Robert Jope-Slade [Black cover, 23x17cm] | Original item from Challongsleigh; held by John Barnard |
| HHJ-61 | Photograph album: Tangier and Spain 1931; Mediterranean/Black sea voyages 1935; Voyage to Egypt 1935-1936 [Red-brown cover, 27x20cm] | Original item from Challongsleigh; held by John Barnard |
| HHJ-62 | Photograph album: England 1931; Middle East 1930s-1940s; Sudan and Kenya, 1940s [Brown cover, 32x25.5cm] | Original item from Challongsleigh; held by John Barnard |
| HHJ-63 | Photograph album: Kuwait 1926-1929; Gaza 1951-52; Unemployment Clubs, London 1932; Photographs of mother; Kenya 1942; Jeddah 1937; Cairo 1940 [Brown cover with back missing, 35x26cm] | Original item from Challongsleigh; held by John Barnard |
| HHJ-64 | Photograph album: Australia 1947-1948; Mackinnon family circa 1949 [Black cover, 31x24cm] | Original item from Challongsleigh; held by John Barnard |
| HHJ-65 | Photograph album: Egypt 1950s [Green cover, 22x15.5cm] | Original item from Challongsleigh; held by John Barnard |
| HHJ-66 | Photograph album: "Some Homes" - photographs of HHJ's homes in Egypt 1930s-1950s, in India, Tunbridge Wells and Higham (childhood) and in Iraq 1920s [Red cover, 29x38cm] | Original item from Challongsleigh; held by John Barnard |
| HHJ-67 | Photograph album: 1960s [Green cover, 34x24cm] | Original item from Challongsleigh; held by John Barnard |
| HHJ-68 | Bound copies of several issues of The Sphinx
(English language illustrated Cairo magazine), 1946 containing articles
by HHJ. Green cover, label on front "Reminiscences, essays and verses,
concerning some Middle Eastern personalities and places by HHJ". Some
articles marked with slips of papers:
| Original item from Challongsleigh; held by John Barnard |
| HHJ-69 | Bound copy of book in French: Evolution de la Législation sur la Presse en Égypte by Adel Maguid Sadik Ramdam (Librarie Judiciare au bon Livre (Ibrahimieh): Alexandrie, 1936). Lettered on spine "Squadron-Leader Hindle James QBE" [sic] | Original item from Challongsleigh; held by John Barnard |
| HHJ-70 | Copy of The Cairo Incident: Memoir of a Life-Changing Experience by Norman Lang (Camp Hill, PA, USA: The Sunbury Press, 2011). Describes the author's experiences in Cairo in 1965. References to HHJ on pp. 3, 74, 83-85, 88, 150, 163. Inscribed by the author "To John, in memory of an old friend, Harold Hindle James, Norm Lang", with copies of e-mail exchanges. | Copy given to John Barnard by the author, 2011. |
| HHJ-71 | Copy of The Imitation of Buddha. Quotations from Buddhist Literature for Each Day of the Year, compiled by Ernest M. Bowden, Methuen, 6th Ed. 1911. Inscribed "H. Hindle James, Cairo, 1/II/20" | Held by Astrid Garran |
