KUWAIT: As the UK and Kuwait continue celebrations to mark 125 years of official diplomatic relations, two grandchildren of the Late Lt Col Harold Dickson, who served as the British Political Agent to Kuwait from both 1929-1936 and May–August 1941, and his wife Violet, popularly known as Umm Saud, have arrived in Kuwait City for a week-long visit.

Lt Col Harold and Violet Dickson’s grandson, Stephen Freeth, said: “Penny and I are delighted to be back in Kuwait. We have always been very proud of our grandparents’ genuine love for the Arab people and culture and their contributions to local history. We hope that the relationship between Kuwait and Britain continues to grow in the spirit of mutual respect, admiration and cooperation.”

The visit, coordinated by Essa Yahya Dashti, Researcher on Kuwaiti-British Relations, in collaboration with the National Library of Kuwait, will see Stephen and Penny Freeth open an exhibition titled “Dickson Family Memories in Kuwait” at the National Library; meet old family friends such as the Al-Hendal family, Sheikha Halah Bader Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Claudia Al-Rashood, and Vera Al-Mutawa; and take in several of Kuwait City’s most historically significant sites including Dickson House, where they lived alongside their late grandmother Violet until 1990.

Welcoming the Freeth’s visit, Dashti said: “I am pleased to cooperate with the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters — specifically the National Library of Kuwait — to host, for the second time, the family of the late Lt Col Harold and Violet Dickson in the State of Kuwait.”

The Freeths visited the British Embassy for a special “Service of Thanks” honoring, at his graveside, the legacy of their late grandfather Lt Col Harold Dickson. Notable attendees included: Reverand Michael Mbona; Belinda Lewis, British Ambassador to the State of Kuwait; Jaber Al-Hendal, a longstanding friend of the Dickson family; and Essa Yahya Dashti, Researcher on Kuwaiti-British Relations.

“The Dickson family has a strong connection to Kuwait’s history and remains very much loved by the Kuwaiti people – as reflected in our continued commitment to maintaining Dickson House, their home of 61 years. The Dickson family’s visit symbolizes the strength of relations between the Kuwaiti people and our British friends, who — despite differences in language and traditions — are united by respect and love for each other,” said Dashti.

Ambassador Lewis said the Dickson family is part of the “very fabric of Kuwait, with a legacy of important contributions to diplomacy, the economy, horticulture and tribal society.” “Today’s service paid tribute to our shared story of progress which we will continue to reflect on throughout Stephen and Penny’s visit,” she added.