Al Jahili exhibition on Trucial Scouts

A new exhibition entitled, "The Trucial Scouts: Life and Times", organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi in cooperation with the Armed Forces and Museum and Military History Centre, will be unveiled at Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain on 1st November. It will run until 28th April, 2018 and is one of the events and activities included in the annual cultural programme in Al Ain.

The exhibition will celebrate the humanitarian and social role of the Scouts, a military unit created by the British Government in 1951 which, renamed the Union Defence Force, became the nucleus of the UAE Armed Forces upon the establishment of the federation in 1971.

The exhibition will include a total of 32 items from the regular life of the unit loaned by the Armed Forces Museum and Military History Centre in Abu Dhabi, including some of the weapons they carried, their uniforms and various utensils. The Al Jahili Fort, site of the exhibition, was itself used by a Squadron of the Scouts from 1955 onwards, following permission being granted by the then-Ruler, Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Built by Sheikh Zayed the First in 1898, it had previously been a summer residence of the ruling family and later the seat of government for the Al Ain region.

With its new role as the base for the Scouts, a number of changes were made to Al Jahili, which survive today. These changes included a new office block in addition to a kitchen and stores for weapons. A room was also set aside for wireless communications and radio equipment.

The Round Tower was used as living quarters for officers in 1957, until damaged during a sand storm while the main arched gate was also expanded to permit vehicles to enter into the courtyard, which was used as a parking area. In the 1960s, further renovations were made to the fort when a concrete driveway was installed through the main entrance, and the entire fort was painted white.

Commenting on the launch of the exhibition, Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director-General of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, said, "The Trucial Scouts played an integral role in the protection and development of the emirate and of Al Ain in particular. The Department is proud to support this significant exhibition, which celebrates the efforts of the members of the armed forces before the Union of the Emirates, and highlights the sacrifices made by members of the military in the defence of our homeland and their contribution to the development of the community."

Colonel Dr. Saeed Hamad Saeed Al Kalbani, Director of the Museum and Military History Centre, said, "It is important for current and future generations to document and chronicle the battles and victories of the armies, but it is also important to highlight the humanitarian work undertaken by the members of the Trucial Scouts. The exhibition charts the Trucial Scouts’ key task of protection and defence despite difficult terrain, living conditions and modest equipment. It also highlights the contribution made by the first generation of armed forces to the field of social and cultural services. They also played a prominent role in the official celebrations of the Union which had royalty, presidents, and high-profile guests in attendance. The Trucial Scouts were also critical in the provision of medical aid provided to remote desert areas, as well as contributing to the drilling and maintenance of wells, and invaluable water sources."

The exhibition will open on November 1st with a discussion at 19:00 entitled, "The Trucial Scouts: Recollections", featuring three veterans of the unit, retired Major General Sheikh Faisal bin Sultan bin Salem Al Qassimi, a former Chief of Staff of the Abu Dhabi Defence Force, who joined the Scouts in 1954 at the age of 14, Major General Abdullah Ali Al Kaabi, and Lieutenant Colonel Tim Courtenay, a former British Royal Marine officer who served with the Scouts’ ‘A’ Squadron in the late 1960s.

Initially called the Trucial Oman Levies, the force was initially established in 1951 with a number of officers seconded from the British Army and Jordan’s Arab Legion. It was expanded in the mid-1950s and was renamed the Trucial Oman Scouts in 1956, with recruits also being drawn from within the Emirates and Oman. It was primarily tasked with policing the area and maintaining internal security, especially in suppressing banditry and settling disputes between tribes. Another primary task was the protection of survey parties from Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast), the forerunner of ADCO, which was engaged in exploring for oil in several of the emirates. Headquartered in Sharjah, the Scouts also had a number of other bases besides Al Jahili, including units at Mirfa and Manama.