| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Proposal to thank General Castelnau at the Anglo-French Mixed Committee the following day.
Several ceremonies were reported on, including in Wandsworth, which was attended by representatives from the Dominions for the unveiling of a Cross of Sacrifice. Other Crosses were unveiled in Sierra Leone and South Africa. Mentions report from a representative in the Free State updating the Commission on progress. Also mentions tours by British Army units.
Vice-Chairman’s report on an article in the ‘Sunday Express’ about the smuggling of bodies from Belgium to England. The newspaper had been unable to produce any specific evidence about this and Scotland Yard had offered to advise, which was accepted by the Commission.
Report that the Duke of Brabant had agreed to unveil the Ploegsteert Memorial.
Mention that nine or ten Members of Parliament would be touring the battlefields in the near future, with agreement for the Commission to supply a car to allow personal visits off the formal itinerary.
The Vice-Chairman emphasised that the unveiling of the statue to Lord Haig in Montreuil was not connected to the Commission in any way. There would be a service in the Étaples Military Cemetery the day before.
Refers to letters from Captain Chanter who ran a company laying wreaths in France. Sir Henry Maddocks suggested replying that in future letters would be returned unopened.
[The following paragraph was crossed out as if redacted]
Mentions decision for the following meeting to publish a notice stating the Commission could not approve any such organisation except for four charitable organisations – namely The British Legion, the Salvation Army, the Church Army and the St. Barnabas Hostel.
Report Of The 199th Meeting Of The Finance Committee
Mentions the report was adopted without comments.
Report of Regimental Indexes
Announcement that sample books were available for inspection at the meeting, and copies would be sent to the Dominions once complete.
Anglo-Egyptian Cemeteries Executive Committee
Approval of the appointment of Brigadier J. C. Browne, C.M.G., D.S.O. to the Committee to replace Brigadier F. D. Logan, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O.
Agreement to establish a committee to report to the Commission on proposals regard the Convention with the Egyptian Government.
Report from Sir Thomas Wilford on his recent visit to all cemeteries in the United Kingdom which contained New Zealand graves. The condition of some were poor, and it was reported that this was due to the variable state of maintenance by the relevant Councils. The Commission would investigate the state of the cemetery at Codford.
Cemetery Registers
Update since last meeting: 8 Cemetery Registers containing the particulars of 831 cemeteries had been published. These contained 9,114 entries. Registers containing 43.047 entries now with the printer.
Superannuation Scheme: Mr James Crosbie
Agreement to assign a deferred annuity to Mr James Crosbie, a former Gardener and Gardener-Caretaker who had recently resigned from the Commission.
Staff Of The Commission
The departure of Lt.-Col. Leopold Monk Newell, O.B.E., T.D., formerly Deputy Assistant Inspector of Works, was noted with regret.
Attendees:
Major-General Sir Fabian Ware, K.C.V.O., K.B.E., C.B., C.M.G., Vice-Chairman, in the Chair
Colonel Sir George Badgerow, C.M.G., C.V.O., M.D., F.R.C.S. (Canada)
The Hon. Sir Thomas Wilford, K.C.M.G., K.C. (High Commissioner for New Zealand)
R. Webster, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for South Africa)
General Sir Alexander Cobbe, V.C., G.C.B., K.C.S.I., D.S.O. (Representing the Secretary of State for India)
Rudyard Kipling, Esq.
Lieut.-General Sir George Macdonogh, G.B.E., K.C.B., K.C.M.G.
Admiral Sir Morgan Singer, K.C.B., K.C.V.O.
Lord Stanley, M.C., M.P.
J.J. Lawson, Esq., M.P.
There were also present:
Lieut.-Colonel Sir Frederic Kenyon, G.B.E., K.C.B.
Major G.C. Arthur, D.S.O., (Canada)
Lieut.-Colonel F. Higginson
Lieut.-Colonel C.P. Oswald, O.B.E. (Assistant Secretary, Finance)
Lieut.-Colonel H.F. Robinson, C.M.G. (Director of Works)
Major H.F. Chettle, C.M.G., O.B.E., (Director of Records)
Captain E.J. King, M.C.
Mr F.C. Sillar, Esq.
Mr B.S. Conyngham Greene, Esq. |