Centenary 1939
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In March 1938 the Governor instructed his staff to form a committee to decide what should be done in Aden to celebrate the centenary of the colony coming under British rule in January 1839. It was necessarily a large committee to be able to embrace all aspects of Aden life, and particularly the commercial sector. The only man to refuse to serve was the local French businessman, Antonin Besse because, in spite of contributing to Aden in many ways for nearly 30 years, he was very upset he had never been invited to sit on any previous committee.
The Governor gave them terms of reference. To put it somewhat crudely, did they want a party or a lasting memorial, or a combination of both? By a party he meant celebrations combined with a charitable distribution and by a memorial a permanent public utility. Whatever they decided they must consider the cost of what they were proposing and how it was to be paid for.
The Chamber of Commerce were determined that they would have a voice in the disposal of any funds raised. The recent KGV Memorial Fund had been largely spent in Maalla (the KGV Memorial Stadium being the chief beneficiary) and they were all from Tawahi and the Crater. There were also those who wanted to erect a statue of Commander Haines, similar to that of Queen Victoria in the Crescent, and/or to rename the Main Pass ‘Haines Pass’. Due to Haines’ somewhat chequered career neither idea was approved by the authorities.
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It was felt that Aden had had rather more celebrations of one kind and another over the years compared to many other colonies and that whatever was decided should be fairly low key. There would be (as far as possible financially self-supporting) celebrations and a distribution of food to the poor. For a lasting memorial there were two ideas, both of which would be proceeded with: the provision of a public hall in Crater and the construction of a much-needed maternity and child-welfare clinic. There was not the money to build the former, so an existing building in Crater would have to be renovated and altered to make it fit for purpose, with the minimum of expenditure. Most of the money raised would go towards the clinic, urgently needed to try to reduce the death-rate of mothers and babies at childbirth.
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Sub-committees were formed and that to choose the building in Crater to become the public hall singled out two possibilities. One was the group of four squash courts next to the garrison church and the other the old Army gymnasium.
Not surprisingly the former was much too small and the latter was selected. Another sub-committee decided on the form of parade, their only remit being that it must involve all the Services and other forces in Aden. They decided to hold the parade on the football ground in Crater and nine guards would be drawn up in order of precedence as follows:
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In rear of the parade would be lined up six cars of the APL Armoured Car Squadron and another six cars of the Machine Gun Company.
Another sub-committee had the task of putting together the programme of events for the celebrations, that would last for almost a fortnight. Some of the events were very minor, for example three film evenings, one each at the Aden Talkies in Crater, one at the New Theatre in Tawahi and the third at the Soldiers’, Sailors’ & Airmen’s Institute at Steamer Point. P&O were providing the films but the titles could not be known sufficiently in advance to be put in the official programme. On another four evenings there were plays in the new so-called Town Hall in Crater. Two performances of the Hindu play Atashi Nag, and two in Arabic – one each of Wardat-elhub (The Flower of Love) and Romeo and Juliet.
Sporting events included: an evening of aquatic sports at the Gold Mohur bathing Club; boxing at the RN canteen in Steamer Point; a football match at the KGV memorial stadium at Maala (Aden Command vs Aden) and an Aden sailing regatta. One event that was not selected, on the excuse that there were already more than sufficient, was a special running of the Cunningham Cup horse race at Khormaksar.
Other events were: an afternoon Lottery Draw at the Tawahi Reclamation; three evening concert parties; an evening dance at the Union Club; a Governor’s Reception; a Governor’s Dance and, importantly, an evening of Arab and Somali dancing and singing at the Tawela Tanks.
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At the last minute it was realised that there was no Fair in the programme, but one on the lines of the Sheikh Othman or Aidroos Fairs would be welcomed. A Fair was arranged for the last four nights.
Apart from the Centenary Parade there was also an afternoon Air Display at Khormaksar. As well as an air display there was a static display which included a sectionalised Vincent and a demonstration of the testing of a synchronised Vickers gun on the stop butts. The air display included message dropping and picking up, supply dropping using parachute containers, air to ground firing and formation flying.
The set piece depicted the bombing and destruction of a native village by flight and individual attacks. The Air Display finished with a display of squadron formation flying, which included a fly-past with the planes depicting ‘100’ to record the centenary. Entry to most of the events was by ticket, the proceeds from which amounted to a fair proportion of the money raised for the Memorial Fund to pay for the maternity clinic. A week after the event the Fund had raised over 80,000 Rupees. For example non-Europeans had to pay four Annas to attend the event at the Tawela Tanks, and Europeans one Rupee. The Air Display was not free either, entry to the 1st Class enclosure, including tea, three Rupees; 2nd Class enclosure one Rupee and the 3rd Class enclosure eight Annas. The total raised was only about 1,200 Rupees.
It was suggested that there should be a VIP guest at the four major evening functions with the Sultan of Lahej attending the Arab play and the Governor Romeo and Juliet (in Arabic).
Although the Centenary Committee had discussed the possibility of the 'Feeding of the Poor' being held in more than one location, it was finally decided that this would be limited to Sheikh Othman only. This 'event' in the programme took place on 15 January, the only other activity that day being the evening performance of Romeo and Juliet. The programme was designed so that there would be one daytime and one evening event each day (not counting the Fair which was added to the programme at the last minute)
No doubt a good time was had by all.