6th and 7th February, 1948 - Ron hardens his ambitions for the future and experiences some tension.

Friday, 6^th February, 1948

After yesterday’s down-pour of rain today it was bright and quite warm.

Although today is the Arabs’ Sabbath the traffic to and from the court was as great as it has been all the week.

I wrote to Aunt Rosa today answering the letter received from her a few days ago.  I told her how pleased I was to hear how bravely she was taking her bereavement and told her of my lack of plans for the future.

Although my ambitions are great I do not know as yet along what path they lie.  I do know that when I do take up employment in civilian life again it must be my career and the work into which I can put all my labour.  I will not allow myself to fall into a rut or position with no scope or prospects.

Saturday, 7^th February, 1948

Another nice day today with a slight slackening of traffic at the Law Courts.  The Arabs seem, for all their large talk, to be quite frightened of the Jews.  They know as well as I that there would be nothing to be gained by either race in the blowing up of the Law Courts but is very noticeable how tense the atmosphere becomes when a Jew enters the Courts.  By mistake the other day I let two Jewish advocates pass into the courts without searching them thinking they were Englishmen, a mistake easy to make on some occasions.

Not the very one but a Jewish Police Constable...

The Arabs became very excited and heated about it and talked about it long after asking me why I had done it.  Another day one of the clerks stopped and tried to search a Jewish Policeman I had let pass.  For this I had to explain to him that he was not allowed to search anyone far less a policeman who can only be searched by an Assistant Superintendent of Police or a constable specially detailed.  The Jew was naturally put out but I managed to smooth out the trouble.

22nd & 23rd December, 1947 - There is a shortage of men and Ron has to shift himself to get things done.

Monday, 22^nd December, 1947

This morning there were no escorts to take my prisoners to court.  This meant I had to dash around at the last moment trying to get an escort.  First I phoned the M.T. section up and they said they would supply a truck right away.  I then made haste to the Billet to wake men who had been on duty up to midnight.  Such men are excused duty up to about 8.30am.  Those on duty after midnight are excused the whole of the following morning.  I managed to get two out of bed who should have been up & dressed.  The court starts at nine we arrived about 9.30.  We then found that another prisoner was wanted so I took one of the chaps, borrowed Salphit’s car and dashed back to the station to make out another release from prison order for this additional prisoner.  I was rushing around all morning on escort duty myself as we could not get enough men to form an escort.

The S.P. payed the station a visit this afternoon, pulled everything to pieces but put a very kind entry in the inspection book.  After he had left B/I Pattle decided to give us another lecture but failed hopelessly when B/I Coles came in and told him he should not go down the Sukh.

Tuesday, 23^rd December, 1947

After the S.P.’s little chat yesterday I decided to start putting my house in order as he promised another visit within a few days when he expects to find everything in the station, and especially my charge register, up to date.  I went through the whole of the charge register from the Beginning of the year and filled in all the points that were missing.  These are not important points – only such things as “date investigations were completed”  “date referred to Magistrate.”

The Charge Room

This afternoon a letter came from Division telling me to make a summary of all the statements recorded in a Road Accident case in which proceedings had been instituted.  This is quite a big job and to top it in bold letters was written “TREAT AS VERY URGENT”  I immediately set to work on it and by 5.15pm had half completed it.  Then it suddenly flashed into my mind that I was on gate guard at 6pm.  Owing to the shortage of men all employed staff have to do at least one night duty a week.  I have been granted the privilege of the 6pm – 12pm as this does not interfere with my work.

8th - 11th November, 1947 - A couple of days in court, a surprise end to the case and a change in the weather...

Saturday, 8^th November, 1947
Today our Khutbeh friends with the entire Assize Court went to Beito Village.  Four B/C’s with stens , a sergeant and four mounted B/C’s formed the Guard.

The Court announced that their findings will be given on Monday.  The verdict is very much in the air.  Our case is good but the Defence have been picking on all the little things and this may go in their favour.  We must now wait to hear the result of this the first of five felony counts held against the brothers by the Police.

Sunday, 9^th November, 1947

After the months of sunshine we have had the weather changed completely today giving place to biting cold winds and a thunderstorm which…(cont’d on next page)

Monday, 10^th November, 1947

…did not blow itself out until the afternoon.

Today the court passed Judgement on the Kutbeh Brothers.  They were both sentenced to death.  This came as a surprise after the way the trial seemed to be swayed in their favour.

Tuesday, 11th November, 1947


We heard this morning that we go into Blues tomorrow.  I shall feel out of it in Battle dress.  At such short notice the Dobby (Launderer)[1] was crowded out with orders for pressing.

[1]"Dobby" - as Ron says the term used refers to the launderers in service to the Police Force.  "Dobhi" - a Hindu word meaning "launderer" - would seem to be the corrupted source for this.  Given an opportunity I'd ask JK Rowling if this was her inspiration for her house elf!

5th - 7th November, 1947 - A change of beds, Ron recognises some home truths about his work and enjoys the cinema showing...

Wednesday, 5^th November, 1947

I had my second cholera injection at 12am this morning and felt no effect from it at all today.

My bedstead was changed today for a very strong one.

Leaving work at 6pm I returned to the billet to find the engine had failed so that there were no lights.  Proceeding to the Hurricane Lighted dining room I carried my rifle vertically by the trigger guard on my right side.  Sgt Graham came out of the dark on my left and asked me where my rifle was.  I escaped as I had mine but many other chaps were not so fortunate & were placed on charges.  He received a bad chit over the inspection yesterday & I suspect he is trying to curry favour with the powers that be by tightening up on the arm carrying rules.

Thursday, 6th November, 1947

The Khutheh brothers are still in court.  Today the case was adjourned until Saturday when the court intends to visit the scene of the crime as the witnesses are not clear enough in their accounts of the incidents.  It is rumoured that when Conway goes the B.C.“I” in the Urban will replace him & I will go on a B.C. “I”’s course in Jerusalem.  I hope so in a way.  It would be too much for me to take over the Rural “I” branch.  A really competent man is required.  I have reached the conclusion that a B.C.“I” to be any good has to work to a terrific system & have an enormous memory for detail.

 

Friday,7^th November, 1947

The remarkable thing about the Friday evening cinema show in the Club, is the fact that although the defects in production are a regular feature the audience never lessens in density and never fails to see the funny side when the gremlins in the sound box gives a soprano a Basso Profundo voice.

This evening Esther Williams was the attraction playing a non swimming roll in “Hoodlum Saint.”[1] 

[1] Esther Williams was a competitive swimmer as a teenager and later became a Hollywood actress - many of her roles using her swimming skills...

1st - 4th November, 1947 - Working hard in preparation for the inspection and a quick trip to court...

Saturday, 1^st November, 1947

Working hard all day again.  The S.P. inspected the Charge Register this afternoon

Sunday, 2^nd November, 1947

I was busy getting my hut ready this morning & evening.  With some office work in the afternoon.

Monday, 3^rd November, 1947

By getting myself put down for court escort I missed the drill & inspection this morning.

In court were the Khutheh brothers charged with manslaughter in 1939.  They were arrested earlier this year.

Two English & a Palestinian Judge form the bench in this Assize Court.

The Defence council is very clear & it looks to me as though they will get off with it.

Our witnesses are rather hazy on the events that took place eight years ago.

Palestine Police on Parade
source Palestine Police Old Comrades Association
www.ppoca.org 

Tuesday, 4^th November, 1947

We were up at 5am this morning to put on our kit ready for A.I.G. Mr Shaw’s inspection this morning.  The parade was at 8.15am.  He inspected all personnel British foot & mounted & Palestinian Foot, Mounted and T.A.C.’s.
All those with rifles were ordered to parade again at twelve.  He next inspected our kit laid out on our beds.  Enquiring about my insect bites he made me strip my bed looking for bugs.  I knew there were none there as I had gone over my bed with a blow lamp only a few days ago.  He agreed with me that my mattress & bedstead were very poor and ordered them changed.