Shortly after their occupation of Basra in 1914, British officers announced an interim policy to prevent the export of antiquities from Iraq. However, their zeal for the protection of Iraqi heritage was short-lived, as local development reduced the need for British involvement in the soon-to-be sovereign state. Case studies from the period reflect a strong local heritage consciousness that resulted in the protection of religious sites, guardianship of archaeological excavations, and demonstrative respect for the material past. Although the period 1914–1946 is bracketed by British occupations of Iraqi territory, with heritage often suffering collateral damage, this chapter tracks the professionalisation of heritage management in Iraq and a resolute interest in its material legacy. Conversely, the British response—which ranged from supportive to obstructive—reflected Britain’s shifting policy aims towards the new state. This study considers the rich cultural governance of heritage in Iraq from the British occupation of Basra in 1914, through the Mandate period to early independence, culminating with the end of the Second World War. This investigation offers insights on the intersection of heritage management, governance, and national identity consolidation in Iraq during the period.