An important chapter in the history of the United Arab Emirates before the federation

The National Archives signs the book (A Soldier in the Arabian Peninsula) in Sharjah for the book


The National Archives platform at the Sharjah International Book Fair witnessed the signing of the book (A Soldier in the Arabian Peninsula), which documents an important chapter in the history of the United Arab Emirates before the union.

The book is a biography of its author, in which he tells about the stages of his practical life, and gives the most accurate details about his memories during his work in the Oman Coast Force, and about the events that took place in the region, and his observations and personal impressions of the people and the place, and his work in the Ras Al Khaimah Mobile Force that he supervised and led, And his relationship with the ruler of Ras al-Khaimah, Sheikh Saqr bin Muhammad al-Qasimi - may God have mercy on him - then his departure from the Trucial States, his return to Sharjah to supervise the establishment of the National Guard of the emirate, and finally his leaving the military life for commercial work in South Africa.

The book is an important chapter in the history of the United Arab Emirates before the federation, recorded by a man who spent the flower of his youth in its parts, with its rulers, and among its people, in a style that combines the emotional and objective aspects, closely recounting the facts of matters and events; He was an eyewitness to it during that period.

The book was introduced by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, by saying: (Our history is what shapes us to a large extent, and our experiences and outlook on life are greatly influenced by the decisions that our ancestors made and the deeds they accomplished. Therefore, we must be aware of our history well and accurately if we have To build wisely on the work and achievements of our predecessors, rather than remain captive to them.

His Highness added an introduction to the author: David Nield, who served as an officer in the (Oman Coast Force) in two separate courses, and contributed to the establishment of the Ras Al Khaimah Mobile Force, and then to the establishment of the Sharjah National Guard. His commitment, loyalty, and professional military experience earned him the trust and respect of many, including my father, Sheikh Saqr. Bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi - may God have mercy on him - and in this book the author mixes eyewitness accounts with careful research, and this is what put his experiences in their historical context).

In his preface to the book, author David Nield says: In 2012, His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, asked me to write my early “military” days in the region, stressing that this should be a personal account, and it should also include   Background details of the important events that took place in the region before the establishment of the United Arab Emirates. And the author adds: As soon as I received that request from His Highness, I knew that the time had finally come to live the past again.

The author proceeds from the introduction to a long introduction in which he reviews his relationship with the Emirates region in general and the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in particular, and after he evokes some of the history of Ras Al Khaimah and the events it witnessed leading to the treaty of 1820 that brought peace and maritime stability in the Gulf, and ends the introduction with information on the formation of scouts In 1956, and its status as a force of respected volunteer fighters, maintaining internal security in the seven emirates.

The chapters of the book begin with the first chapter, entitled "When the General Rescued Me," in which the author recounts his memories of joining the military, and his passion to join the scout team during his studies, then touches on his military history in Singapore, Malaya, and Chester in the United Kingdom, and his transition to a job as a transport officer in (Force Oman coast).

In the second chapter, which is titled "Sharjah and Beyond", in which he monitors his arrival in Sharjah, joining the Oman Coast Force in the Gulf region, how he spent the first period of service, how he got acquainted with Arab customs and traditions, his learning of the Arabic language, his observations of what was happening in Sharjah, and about stability. What she was witnessing, and about the topography of the place, and the beginnings of development in Dubai and Sharjah, and the markets that spread in them.

The author moves to Al-Ain and describes his tasks and the nature of life there, and what Al-Ain was like at that time, and monitors the changes that took place in the Al-Buraimi region.

The third chapter of the book was titled "Berlin, the Beetles and John F Kennedy," in which the author recounts some of the adventures he went through in Kenya, his return to East Berlin, and his duties there on the occasion of the Queen's birthday, then he describes the reality of the situation in Berlin at that time, and the historic visit of US President Kennedy to Berlin, and in 1964 the author leaves Berlin to Northern Ireland, and tells of his suffering there, and then his return to Sharjah in the Trucial Coast.

In the fourth chapter of the book, "Three Inches," David Nield tells the story of his learning of the Arabic language at the Arabic language school in Khormaksar, where the students lived in small individual tents for three months. A wave of support for Arab nationalism arose in the Middle East.

In October 1964 a delegation from the League of Arab States visited the Trucial States, and this was followed by the establishment of the Trucial States Development Fund, and in 1965 the Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Dr. Sayed Nofal, visited the Trucial States, and the book lists what happened between the Trucial States, the League of Arab States, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs British.

David Neild describes the period he spent in Ajman when his unit was stationed there, saying: Ajman was ruled by a wonderful sheikh, Sheikh Rashid bin Hamad Al Nuaimi, and he had assumed power in 1928. The pearl industry After the Japanese came to cultivate it, the ruler at that time was able to help his subjects by financing their agricultural projects, and he adopted good policies to ensure that all his subjects benefited from them, so he was loved and respected by all, and describes