Fair, liked and trusted, Ash was devoted to the people of the UAE

Comrades of Tim Ash pay tribute to the man dubbed the Lawrence of Ras Al Khaimah.

Major John Whitelaw, a one-time Headquarters Staff Officer and then Commander of A Squadron of The Trucial Oman Scouts (1965 - 1970), writes:

Major Tim Ash MBE was a close and valued friend for more than 45 years.

His award of the MBE Medal was directly related to all the hard effort, often under very testing circumstances, he put into his work which, perhaps now long forgotten, made a substantial contribution to the future security of a frequently turbulent region and which subsequently emerged most successfully as the United Arab Emirates.

Tim, amongst a few others, influenced the stability and economic success which continues to exist today in this region.

Tim was an excellent communicator and had the ability to get on with all levels of people, of all ages and many nationalities, be they ruling Sheikhs, Bedu tribesmen or "Jundi" of the TOS.

His enthusiasm for the history of the country encouraged his interest in the local language and he was equally happy talking with a Shihu tribesman, a Kaabi from Mahada or a Quitabi from near Dhaid. As a result, his detailed knowledge of tribes, families and customs was encyclopaedic.

He was fair, liked and trusted. Tim was most at home in Ras Al Khaimah, where he formed a very good relationship with Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi.

Most importantly, it was in Ras Al Khaimah that he met Ruth Willis ("Miriam"), who was a devoted Nursing Sister at the RAK Hospital.

They married most happily and Miriam faithfully looked after Tim when they retired to Dorset in the south of England.

Sadly, Tim, who was a big strong man, suffered latterly from Parkinson's Disease and became very restricted in what he could do. I spoke with him a month or so ago and he was still cheerful despite increasing blindness.

To the very end, he never lost his interest in what is now the United Arab Emirates.

And, most importantly, he never forgot all the friends that he had made there.

We must remember him for all that he achieved in those formative times between 1964 and 1972. Our condolences go to Miriam at this sad time. We share with her the loss of someone devoted to the people of the United Arab Emirates.