| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Clarification by the Vice-Chairman about wording in previous minutes about inscriptions in Indian Cemeteries. Announcement that Mr. W. Spens was replacing Sir Henry Maddocks as Commissioner, and General Muspratt had replaced General Cobbe. Mr Tom Shaw had been replaced by the Marquis of Crewe as Secretary of State for War, and thus Chairman.
Announcement that Mr Brook, Head Gardener at Étaples, received the O.B.E. from the British Vice-Consul at Boulogne.
Mentions officials of the Commission dined at the House of Commons with the Members of Parliament who had participated in recent Parliamentarians’ Tour.
Ceremonies and Visits
Report presented on the visit of H.M.S. Vesper to Skagen to lay wreaths on the graves of sailors lost at Jutland. Letter received from the Sheffield Serre Memorial Park Committee thanking the Commission for help received. Report on the Earl and Countess of Athlone’s visit to Ypres. Various ceremonies were reported on, including a monument unveiling at Cojeul British Cemetery; 30th anniversary of the ‘Souvenir Français’ at Warlencourt Halte British Cemetery; and many communal ceremonies at British Cemeteries in France during the ‘Fête Nationale’ on the 14th August. Commission staff attended the funeral of the Maire of Hébuterne, and also the pilgrimage to the French Cemetery at Rancourt. Delville Wood Sunday was observed on July 19th.
Comment from the Vice-Chairman on how the actual number of visitors was hard to gauge as some visitors signed multiple Registers, and many didn’t sign any.
Mention that a large number of visits were made to Cemeteries in Germany, and a service took place in Ohlsdorf Cemetery.
Report that the Commission’s School at Arras broke up for the summer having made satisfactory progress.
Resolutions were passed thanking Mr. Allen Howe of the Geological Survey and Museum and Mr. O. W. Staten of the South African Agency for their service to the Commission.
Report from the Vice-Chairman on a service he had attended at Liverpool Cathedral. It was on the occasion of the installation of a wooden cross of an unknown soldier taken from the battlefield.
It was announced that the Tower Hill Memorial would be illuminated during September.
A visitor to a German grave had thanked the Commission for the upkeep of German graves in Bac du Sud British Cemetery.
Reports of visits to cemeteries in England and the North of Ireland were reported on. It was expressed that it would be of value if Commissioners, when out and about, could visit and report on any war graves which needed attention.
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Recommendation from the Government’s Committee on Economy (the ‘May Committee’) that UK spread its payments to the Commission’s Endowment Fund over a longer period to save money. The Commission’s Vice-Chairman opposed this, arguing it would undermine public confidence and prompt renewed demands for repatriation of the dead. The May Committee refused to consult the Dominions, heightening concern that the UK might not maintain its contributions. Proposal to form a small committee to respond quickly to any Government decisions on the issue.
Visit To Cemeteries In The Asiago Area
Report from Sir George Macdonogh on a visit to the five cemeteries in the Asiago area of Italy (Barenthal, Granezza, Cavaletto, Boscon and Magnaboschi). He had found all five in first rate order and well maintained by the one gardener. However, he did report negatively on the condition of the registers which often had pages torn out and comments scribbled on the pages.
Employment And Education Of Gardeners’ Children
Report that the Army Council could nominate two boys each year to attend the Army Technical School at Chepstow without passing the usual examination. The training available was first class. The Master General of Ordnance was prepared to offer nominations for the Military College of Science at Woolwich subject to certain requirements. The Duke of York’s School in Dover and the Queen Victoria School in Dunblane also offered positions. The only doubt was whether the boys could attain the required standard. The Vice-Chairman reported that the Ypres school provided a good standard of education.
Shillong Memorial
Mentions the proposals of the Government of Assam for the Shillong Memorial reviewed by Sir Frederic Kenyon and approved by the Commission.
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Mr William Donald
Approval of the request from Mr Donald, who was leaving the Commission, to be allowed to keep up the policies he had under the Superannuation Scheme.
Cemetery Registers
Progress update on the publication of Cemetery Registers in Turkey, Cyprus, Palestine, Egypt and Aden. The design of the Indian Cemetery in Baghdad was discussed. There were no headstones, just a memorial in the centre. Improvements to the memorial were approved, and improved wording suggested by Mr Kipling was accepted. Designs for Haidar Pasha and Basra memorials were approved with Mr Kipling and General Muspratt to prepare designs for the Register Box.
Attendees:
Major-General Sir Fabian Ware, K.C.V.O., K.B.E., C.B., C.M.G. (Vice-Chairman, in the Chair)
General S.F. Muspratt, C.B., C.S.I., C.I.E. (Representing the High Commissioner for India)
Major G.C. Arthur, D.S.O. (Representing the High Commissioner for Canada)
Major-General Sir Granville Ryrie, K.C.M.G., C.B. (High Commissioner for Australia)
V.G. Housden, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for New Zealand)
J.L. Murphy, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for Newfoundland)
Rudyard Kipling, Esq.
Lieut.-General Sir George Macdonogh, G.B.E., K.C.B., K.C.M.G. (in the Chair)
Admiral Sir Morgan Singer, K.C.B., K.C.V.O.
J.J. Lawson, Esq., M.P.
General Sir Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd, K.C.B., K.C.M.G
Captain W.P. Spens, Esq., C.B.E., K.C., M.P.
There were also present:
Lieut.-Colonel C.P. Oswald, O.B.E. (Assistant Secretary, Finance)
Lieut.-Colonel H.F. Robinson, C.M.G. (Director of Works)
Captain E.J. King, M.C.
F.C. Sillar, Esq.
F. Tyrrell, Esq.
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