1937 Feb 5-Sep; 1938 Aug 2-Dec 7
Diary written in two parts. The first part (5 Feb-Sep 1937) was written during the last two terms of Monteith's third year studying at Oxford before he returned there for a year to study colonial administration after gaining entry into the Sudan Political Service. It includes commentary on such issues as his university studies, sports, friends, social events, and the Bullingdon Club. It also includes some descriptive commentary on his flying practice with the Oxford University Air Squadron during term time and later at an OUAS camp at Ford, Arundel (4-17 Jul) – during which Monteith makes very brief mention of his observation of Alan Cobham's “refuelling-in-the-air experiments” (6 Jul). Monteith gives descriptive commentary on his visits home to Fife between terms and following his final examinations, with details of family, friends, social events and sports. Towards the end of the first part of the diary Monteith records a trip to America with friends (11 Aug -Sep). He describes the voyage there, and meetings with the ballet dancer and actress, Katharine Sergava, aboard the SS Aquitania, along with various places visited, mainly around California (San Francisco, Yosemite, Monterey, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles), but also including: Santa Fe, New Mexico; Denver; Chicago; Atlanta, Georgia; Washington; and New York. Throughout the first part of the diary Monteith occasionally mentions his future prospects including applications and interviews for the Indian Colonial Service and the Sudan Political Service. For example, he briefly weighs up the benefits of the ICS over the SPS (20 Jul), discusses his viva for entry into the ICS (26 Jul), and his interview for the SPS and offer of a place (6 Aug).
The second part of the diary (2 Aug-7 Dec 1938) was begun after Monteith's last year of study at Oxford as he first set out for the Sudan. It begins with a retrospective account of his year studying colonial administration (2 Aug) with commentary on his studies, friends, and social events, along with a brief account of another OUAS camp at Ford, Arundel (2 Aug). He also recounts his return home to Fife, his preparations for leaving and his departure to the Sudan (2 Aug). From then on Monteith begins his diary again detailing his journey to the Sudan, with a description of the voyage from Liverpool to Port Sudan (2-28 Aug) – which includes comments on life on board, social events, friends and fellow passengers, along with an account of an eventful stop in Marseilles (21 Aug), and an account of a stop in Port Said with descriptions of the town (25 Aug). Monteith describes his arrival in Port Sudan and journey by train to Khartoum (28-29 Aug) with comments on his impressions of Port Sudan (28 Aug). He describes his first days in Khartoum (29 Aug-3 Sep) with particular details regarding: his impressions of the city and the Sudan as a whole, sightseeing, meetings with various officials, various formalities to complete as part of his induction, introductions to his new Sudanese staff, buying new clothes and equipment, and various sporting and social activities. From there on Monteith travelled to Sinkat, Kassala Province, where he was based for almost two months as Assistant District Commissioner. The diary gives details of life here, as well as Monteith's job as Assistant District Commissioner and the increasing threat of war. Specific details include: his arrival in, and first impressions of, Sinkat (15 Sep); his new responsibilities and his opinions regarding his new job (15-21 Sep); his impressions of the other officials in Sinkat (15-21 Sep); a meeting with F.S. Lees-Spalding, Chief Accountant, Sudan Railways Department (22 Sep); and a meeting with a holy man from Eritrea (24 Sep). Monteith then travelled to and stayed in Kassala for about two weeks before moving to Ed Dueim on transfer to the White Nile Province. Monteith describes his journey to Kassala and his time there and gives his impressions of the town and the various officials (both government and military) he comes into contact with (30 Oct-13 Nov). He then describes his week long journey to Ed Dueim with a two day stop in Khartoum (19 Nov). The remainder of the diary concerns Monteith's life in White Nile Province, his social life and his responsibilities in connection with his role as Assistant District Commissioner. Details include: his arrival in and first impressions of Ed Dueim (24 Nov); his opinions on the various other officials in Ed Dueim (24 Nov); celebrations for the Eid festival (24 Nov); his house (2 Dec); and part of an inspection tour including a trip to El Kawa [to relocate the town away from rising Nile waters] (2 Dec), a visit to Abdel Magid (5 Dec), a visit to Geteina where Monteith was present at a magisterial enquiry investigating a fight between local Sudanese men (6 Dec), and a visit to Jabal Aulia (7 Dec)
Digitised material for Sudan Archive - Monteith Papers - SAD.D1 - Diary 1937-38

1945 Jan 1-Apr 22, 1948 Jun 6 – 1950 Jan 30
The diary is written in two parts. The first part (1 Jan 1945 – 22 Apr) begins when Monteith was serving at no. 18 Elementary Flying Training School, Fairoaks, Surrey. Monteith discusses life at the airbase, his service at the EFTS and flying practice in a de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth trainer aircraft (1 Jan-9 Mar 1945). He also discusses his social life and trips to London to meet with friends and to stay with his aunt who was then residing at the Hyde Park Hotel, along with various cultural activities including trips to the theatre, opera and the cinema (1 Jan 1945 - 9 Mar). During his time here Monteith provides some descriptions of London in the closing months of the war. Monteith later applies for a transfer to no. 2 Flying Instructor School, Montrose, Angus. He gives his initial impressions of the RAF base at Montrose and describes his life there and flying practice in a T-6 Texan ( ‘Harvard’ ) trainer aircraft (13-30 Mar). He also gives details of trips back home to Elie, Fife, social events there, sporting activities and visits to his family and friends (13-30 Mar). During his time at Fairoaks and Montrose Monteith talks occasionally about his desire to return to the Sudan and describes his efforts to get back to his job in the Sudan Political Service. Monteith later gets confirmation from the Air Ministry giving authority for him to be released from service in order to take up employment in the Sudan Political Service (28 Mar). The remainder of the first part of the diary concerns Monteith's time at home in Fife, sporting and social activities, and visits to family and friends around Fife and Edinburgh prior to his departure (30 Mar-22 Apr). It also includes details of trips to London to visit his aunt, and complete the various paperwork and formalities required for his return to the Sudan (14 and 21 Apr).
The second part of the diary (6 Jun 1948 – 30 Jan 1950) begins with Monteith returning to the Sudan following a period of leave to Scotland and goes on to cover much of his service as an Assistant District Commissioner in Gedaref, Kassala Province, along with the first few months of his service as District Commissioner of Tegali District, Kordofan. Monteith mainly discusses his responsibilities in connection with his role as Assistant District Commissioner and later District Commissioner (mostly dealing with criminal and dispute cases amongst the local Sudanese population, collecting revenues, and inspecting businesses and government departments) as well as life in and around Gedaref and Tegali, friends and colleagues, and social and leisure activities. Earlier on in the second half of the diary he also makes some reference to issues including anti-British sentiment amongst the Sudanese population and the threat of further war in Europe. Other details include: Monteith's journey back to the Sudan from his family home in Fife (6 Jun 1948); a stop in London to visit his aunt and friends and to call in at the Sudan Office (6 Jun); a journey by plane to Malta to visit friends (6 Jun); a journey by plane from there to Wadi Halfa (6 Jun); a train journey from Halfa to Khartoum where Monteith was held up for 5 days and so took the opportunity to meet with friends and colleagues, go shopping, attend a dinner party at the Palace, and play tennis (8-13 Jun); the train journey from Khartoum to Gedaref (13-16 Jun); the elections for Gedaref Town Council and for the Gedaref representative on the [Rural District Council] (19 Jun); a visit to Basunda for work related matters (17 Jul); a visit to Ghadmbaliza to visit friends (7 Aug); a brief inspection tour, including a visit to Kassala to meet with a colleague before going on to Shendi, Abu Deleig, and Khartoum, during which Monteith met with various officials and merchants and inspected police musketry, stores, offices and prisons (9-29 Aug); T.W. Clouston, Senior Inspector of Agriculture, suffering a nervous breakdown on board a train (20 Aug); a tour of the area around Abu Deleig investigating the conditions of the Sudanese population, followed by a visit to Khartoum to meet officials and organise for grain to be supplied to the Abu Deleig area (28 Oct - 2 Nov ); Monteith's promotion to District Commissioner (9 Dec); a visit to Dueim with the Gedaref councillors (19 Dec); Christmas in Kassala (24-25 Dec); a long stay in Khartoum where Monteith did much socialising and studied local government for his promotion to District Commissioner (4-29 Mar); a period of leave in Fife (including stops in Khartoum, London and Malta) during which Monteith mainly socialised with friends, family and acquaintances, visited museums and the theatre and played tennis and golf (1 Aug 1949– 30 Oct); Monteith's arrival in, and impressions of, Rashad where he had been relocated to serve as District Commissioner (16 Nov 1949); a description of a nugara (drum) ceremony and bracelet fighting in Kau (8-9 Dec 1949); Christmas in El Obeid with a description of a paper chase on horseback. From 16 Nov 1949 the diary largely concerns Monteith's life and work in Rashad with frequent accounts of inspection tours of villages and settlements around the Nuba Mountains
Enclosures:
Digitised material for Sudan Archive - Monteith Papers - SAD.D2 - Diary 1945, 1948-50

1945 May
Short diary recording Monteith's journey back to the Sudan, following his release from the RAF towards the end of the war, and his first few weeks there. Details include: the voyage from Greenock, Renfrewshire, to Port Sudan aboard the ship the City of Exeter with comments on the threat of submarines, the victory in Germany, fellow passengers, leisure activities, and the ship itself (2 May-14 May); VE day aboard the ship (9 May); a two day stop in Port Said with comments on the city and brief comparisons to Monteith's first visit there before the war (11 May); arrival and three day stay at Port Sudan with details of the town and meetings with friends (15-17 May); a stay in Khartoum during which Monteith attended a dinner party at which the Qaid of the Sudan Defence Force, W.H. Ramsden, was present and had lunch with the Governor-General, H.J. Huddleston (21 May); a short stay in Atbara, where Monteith was required to deal with a number of cases concerning members of the local Sudanese population, with discussion of the town and its inhabitants, meetings with friends, and a brief mention of the likelihood of complete Sudanisation of the SPS (27-30 May); Monteith's first few weeks in Wadi Halfa in Northern Province, where he was to be based before being posted to nearby Merowe-Dongola, with details of the town and its inhabitants (20 Jun - 3 Jul); and brief mention of a week's trek to Delgo (20 Jun)
Digitised material for Sudan Archive - Monteith Papers - SAD.D3 - Diary May 1945

1950 Feb 10-Nov 5
Diary recording part of Monteith's time serving as District Commissioner at Rashad in the Nuba Mountains giving details of his life, social and leisure activities, and work as District Commissioner – mainly dealing with criminal and dispute cases between the local Sudanese population. The diary also includes details of regular official visits and tours to towns and villages around the Nuba Mountains including Talodi and Kau (where Monteith witnessed tribal dances and watched the bracelet fighting). Details include: a meglis (meeting of the tribes) at [Lake] Abyad (10 Feb 1950); thoughts on the relationship of the British with the Nuba tribes and the effects of changing their culture (14 Feb 1950); a visit by the Governor-General, R.G. Howe, to Talodi (21-22 Feb 1950); a few days spent working at the mudiriyyah in Kadugli (17-21 Apr 1950); Monteith's attempts at fasting for Ramadan (19 Jun - 7 Jul 1950); a period of leave in Fife (including stops in El Obeid and Khartoum) during which Monteith socialised with family and friends and played golf, followed by a holiday in Italy (mainly around Ostia Parmense) during which Monteith met with friends (12-31 Jul 1950).
This volume also includes: a poem [by Monteith?] on the importance of knowing the Arabic for food and drink, entitled “Probationers Song” (1950s); a draft of a short story or part memoir by Monteith, entitled “Red Lion Rampant” about a holiday staying with friends in Bavaria in August 1936 during which the author takes up painting (1950s); some Arabic vocabulary (1950s)
Digitised material for Sudan Archive - Monteith Papers - SAD.D4 - Diary 1950

1953 Jun 3-1954 Mar 1
Diary covering much of Monteith's time in Khartoum serving as Clerk Assistant of the House of Representatives. The diary, beginning with Monteith's arrival in Khartoum to take up his new position, focuses on Monteith's work – which mainly includes organising the opening of parliament, producing leaflets and information for the new ministers on the procedures of parliament, recording the activities of the house, organising the library of the parliament, and other administrative work in connection with the running of parliament. Throughout the diary Monteith gives a commentary on the election and first months of the new parliament, the various politicians and political parties (particularly the Umma and National Unionist Party) vying for power, and the political and social situation surrounding the gradual Sudanisation of the SPS and coming independence. He also discusses life in Khartoum and his social and leisure activities. Other details include: the resignation of Kevin Hayes, a judge of the High Court in Sudan, following the publication of a letter from him to his mother containing sensitive political information (3, 7, 18, 20 Jun 1953); a stay in London during which Monteith attended the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Parliamentary Course in preparation for his role in the Sudan Parliament (15-16 Jul); a driving holiday around Europe with his mother on leave, stopping at various places around North East France, Switzerland, Northern Italy and West Germany to go sightseeing and meet with friends (8 Jul - 8 Oct 1953); a visit to London and Belfast to visit the parliaments and attend lectures as part of the CPA Parliamentary Course (31 Oct - 5 Dec); the announcement of the results of the election to the House of Representatives and Monteith's comments on this (5 Dec); Monteith's joining of the Philosophical Society and comments on the Society's research into food problems (10-11 Dec); the announcement of the results of the election to the Senate (10 Dec); a detailed commentary on the ceremonial opening of the first Sudanese Parliament and the election of the speaker, both of which Monteith was in charge of planning and organising (1 Jan 1954); reactions to the ceremony (2 Jan); the election of Ibrahim al-Mufti as speaker of the house, the dispute over this and the eventual election of Babikr Awadallah (1-5 Jan); the election of the Prime Minister (7 Jan); dispute amongst the Council of Ministers (11 Feb); dispute between the speaker of the house, Babikr Awadallah, and [Furauri] (22-23 Feb); news of the resignation of President Muhammad Najib of Egypt and Monteith's relief that he would not be attending the opening of the Sudanese Parliament (25 Feb); news of Najib's reinstatement as President of Egypt and the instatement of Jamal Abd al-Nasser as Prime Minister (27 Feb); preparations for the ceremonial opening of Parliament, the large-scale riots between the Ansar and NUP in Khartoum surrounding the arrival of President Najib of Egypt, the death of Hugh McGuigan, the British Commandant of the Police, and the news that the opening was to be postponed (1 Mar); the funeral of Hugh McGuigan (2 Mar)
Digitised material for Sudan Archive - Monteith Papers - SAD.D5 - Diary 1953-54
See SAD.D7

1954 Mar 3-Aug 20
Diary covering much of Monteith's time in Khartoum serving as Clerk Assistant of the House of Representatives. The diary focuses on Monteith's work – which mainly includes organising the opening of parliament, producing leaflets and information for the new ministers on the procedures of parliament, recording the activities of the house, organising the library of the parliament, and other administrative work in connection with the running of parliament. Throughout the diary Monteith gives a commentary on the proceedings of the new parliament, the various politicians and political parties (particularly the Umma and National Unionist Party) in parliament, and the political and social situation surrounding the gradual Sudanisation of the SPS and coming independence. He also discusses life in Khartoum and his social and leisure activities. Other details include: the aftermath and reaction to the violent riots following the failed second opening of parliament (3-9 Mar); brief reference to meetings between D.M.H. Evans, Public Relations Officer, and others and Selwyn Lloyd, British Minister of State for Foreign Affairs following the riot (7 Mar); security preparations for the rescheduled second opening of parliament (9 Mar); the second opening of parliament with comments on the proceedings and security precautions following the previous riots (10 Mar); the decision of parliament as to whether or not to arrest Siddiq al-Mahdi in connection with the riots (10 Mar); the start of the second session of the new Parliament and a complaint of bribery (15 Mar); the difficulties of writing the Summary of Proceedings and the difficulties faced by the translators (19 Mar); the slow progress of Parliament (19 Mar - 2 Apr); mention of the possible precautions necessary if trouble was to re-emerge amongst the Umma and Ansar (19 Mar); an accusation against Monteith of partiality (26 Mar); Monteith's options if he is made to resign and mention of the press coverage of the accusation of partiality made against him (2 Apr); the likelihood of the arrest of Siddiq al-Mahdi (3-4 Apr); the passing of the Commission of Inquiries Bill and the Hides and Skins Bill (9 Apr); thoughts on the likelihood of the passing of the Compensation Bill (11 Apr); Monteith's application to the Uganda Colonial Service (12 Apr); the creation of an NUP majority in the Governor-General's Commission (22 Apr); the possible outcome if a revolt by the Umma were to take place (5 May); mention of evacuation plans should there be an uprising following the arrest of Siddiq al-Mahdi (7 May); Monteith's attendance at the magistrate's inquiry into the 1 March riot (9-20 May); the outcome of the magistrate's inquiry into the 1 March riots (31 May - 2 Jun); preparations for the 1954/55 Sudan budget (9 Jun); the announcement of the budget in Parliament (10 Jun); reactions to the budget (13 Jun); the parliamentary debate on the Appropriation Bill (16 Jun); ideas about applying for a post in Yemen (18 Jul); plans for a trip through Lebanon to Azerbaijan then through Turkey to Greece (18 Jul); the departure of M.F.A. Keen, Clerk of the House of Representatives (19-21 Jul); a case of an illiterate Member of Parliament (29, 31 Jul); preparations for departure from the Sudan and for a trip around the Middle East (30 Jul - 18 Aug); Monteith's departure from Khartoum (19 Aug); Monteith's departure from the Sudan aboard the El Kenya (20 Aug)
Digitised material for Sudan Archive - Monteith Papers - SAD.D6 - Diary 1954

1953 Aug 21-1958 Dec 12
Notebook with notes by Monteith on the Parliamentary Course, given by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in London, which he attended in 1953 in connection with his role as Clerk Assistant of the House of Representatives. The notes mainly give details of the various procedures of the British Parliament and observations as to how the same would be carried out in colonial assemblies.
The latter part of the notebook has been used as a diary. The first part of the diary (21 Aug 1954 -25 Nov) records a driving trip Monteith made around the Middle East with friends immediately after leaving the Sudan. He visits Lebanon (Beirut and Baalbek), Syria (Damascus), Jordan (Wadi Musa and Karak), Iraq (Baghdad), Iran (Qasvin, Tehran and Esfahān), Azerbaijan (Tuğ), and Turkey (Van, Erzincan, Kayseri, Ankara, Ephesus, İzmir, Cesme, Bergama, Yalova, Istanbul, and Edirne) before travelling through Europe (visiting Greece, Yugoslavia, Italy, Austria, Germany and Belgium) on his way home to Fife, Scotland. Throughout the trip Monteith describes his activities and experiences and the difficulty of gaining travel permits and visas. Following his return home Monteith goes to London in order to enquire about work opportunities at the Colonial Office, the Foreign Office and various large international companies including B.P. and I.C.I. (2 Jan 1955).
The next part of the diary covers the start of Monteith's time working in the Foreign Office (7 Mar 1955). It begins at the start of his time working in London in preparation for being posted to Yemen during which Monteith briefly discusses the Foreign Office recruitment process and talks of his work, his study of Yemen and his social activities (7-20 Mar 1955). Monteith then describes his journey to, and first weeks in, Ta'izz, Yemen (26 Jul - 11 Sep 1955) including a stop in Aden, en route (4 Aug).
Following a gap of around 3 years the last part of the diary goes on to cover part of Monteith's first months spent working in Muscat, Oman (20 Oct 1958 - 12 Dec). It begins with his arrival in Muscat and goes on to describe his life and work there. Other details include trips to Bahrain and Salalah
Enclosures:
Digitised material for Sudan Archive - Monteith Papers - SAD.D7 - Diary 1953-58
See SAD.D5 in connection with Monteith's attendance of the Parliamentary Course in London and Belfast

[1940s-1950s]
Photograph album containing photographs taken by Monteith around the Sudan. Includes: