Gillan, James Angus (Oral history)

British civilian served with Sudan Political Service in Sudan 1909-1939

REEL 1 Aspects of educational background at Oxford University. Application and selection for Sudan Political Service, 1909. Training, Arabic tuition and preparations for Sudan. Kitting out and first impressions during journey to Khartoum, Sudan 1909. Initial Omdurman posting. REEL 2 Aspects of initial training at Omdurman and Khartoum. Military influence in SPS and position as civilian. Role of British officers. Posting to El Obeid, 1910: initiative necessary; duties. Background to posting to Nahud, 1911. Position, role and quality of Egyptian and Sudanese officers. role of British contract officers in South Sudan administration. REEL 3 Egyptian Army in Sudan: organisation; recruitment of Sudanese troops and influence of ethnic and cultural diversity. Background to population movements and reactions to West African tribes. Slave trade problems. Caution necessary with regard to Muslim movements and possible flash points in local community discontent. Efforts to disarm Nuba. REEL 4 Weapons used by Nuba. Scale of patrols and police action in Nuba Mountains during posting as deputy governor, 1920-26. Aspects of Darfur campaign, 1916: breakdown in relations with Ali Dinar, 1915; involvement in intelligence activities; description of Dinar's forces; wounding of John Slessor; joining Herbert Huddleston as political officer prior to final campaign. REEL 5 Reactions to Huddleston's independent action. Mutinies of 11th (Sudanese) Battalion, EA at Khartoum and 10th (Sudanese) Battalion, EA at Talodi, 1924: causes; influence of White Flag League and nationalist movement. Formation of Sudan Defence Force, 1925: acceptance of concept of territorial recruitment; position of Sudanese officers; relationship with civil government. Mechanisation of SDF. Question of SDF's performance outside of Sudan.