Event Details

ASoldier in Arabia:

In the run up to the UAE’s 45th National Day, soldier andadventurer David Neild, the youngest officer to serve in the legendary TrucialOman Scouts when he joined them at the age of only 20 in 1959, will talk abouthow he was asked to establish and command the Sharjah National Guard in 1972following the assassination of the Ruler of Sharjah.

Despite being set against the backdrop of unrest anduncertainty and the emerging national politics of the day, David’s account isan entertaining and honest description of his need to make rapid political,strategic and tactical decisions while respecting the traditional ways of acomplex tribal Arab culture.

This is a great opportunity to witness a first-hand narrationof a significant period of history on the Arabian Peninsula.

Bio:

DavidNeild was born in Portsmouth in 1938, the second son of a Royal Naval Officer.At Portsmouth Grammar School he concentrated more on the combined cadet forceand sport rather than his academic studies and was already considering amilitary career when he was called up for national service in 1957. A yearlater he was commissioned into the Royal Army Service Corps and posted toSingapore. Exciting as this turned out to be, his preference was for the moreactive military career of an infantry officer.

In1959 he joined the elite Trucial Oman Scouts comprising of British and Arabsoldiers. At the age of 20 he was the youngest officer ever to serve in the TOSand it marked the beginning of a remarkable Arabian journey that was to changehis life for ever.

Aftercompleting his 18-month tour of duty, Neild transferred to the Kings Regiment(Manchester and Liverpool) and saw service in Kenya, Berlin and NorthernIreland. He then returned to the UK as second-in-command of the RecruitTraining Company at the Lancastrian Brigade Depot in Preston. A brief romancewith a Coronation Street actress led to the offer of a job with a Granada TVnews team. However, a return to the Trucial Oman Scouts was offered and thecall of Arabia proved too strong. 

In theyears between 1966 and 1972 he rose from Captain to Lt Colonel and was witnessto and often closely involved in the skirmishes, incursions and politicalupheavals that took place leading up to the formation of the United ArabEmirates in December 1971. He commanded the first Trucial Oman Scouts riflesquadron to be based in Ras Al Khaimah where he formed a lasting friendshipwith the Ruler, His Highness Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. Thisrelationship was further strengthened when his squadron was successful inpeacefully putting down a tribal rebellion in Ras Al Khaimah.

Towardsthe end of 1968 HH Sheikh Saqr took the decision to establish his ownindependent Mobile Force and invited Neild to form and command it, provided heleft the British Army. This was an offer he found impossible to refuse and hespent the next three years establishing a fully trained efficient force.

In1972 the Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed al Qasimi was assassinatedand Neild was asked to form and command the Sharjah National Guard. In 1973Neild left the Gulf for Africa but again the lure of the desert proved toostrong and 2013 he returned with his wife, Eileen, to the United Arab Emirateswhere he resides today.

Confirm your attendance by 12 noon on Monday, 27th November. This is a Pre PayEvent, your place will not be confirmed until payment is received.Cancellations accepted before 12 noon Monday, 27th November, ‘’No show fees’’applicable after that date.

The BBGDubai and Northern Emirates is the region’s foremost business-to-businessmembership networking group which enables like-minded professionals to furthertheir business interests in the UAE and the wider region.

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Fee includes 3 course lunch and beverages
Free valet parking
Dress: Business