| Content Note | Topics discussed:
The Chairman opened the meeting expressing his honour for being present, and his appreciation of Sir Fabian Ware’s work.
A letter was read out from the former Chairman, Mr. Tom Shaw following the resolution made at the previous meeting. A resolution was passed thanking Lieutenant-Colonel Sir John Chancellor for his work in Jerusalem. A letter had been received from the Foreign Office, which said that the exact form of the Anglo-Egyptian War Graves Convention could be deferred as there was no general treaty with Egypt.
A report of a visit to France and Belgium by Major-General Ryrie had recently been published in the press. Captain Menzies in Greece had been granted a local rank of Major, which should help in his relations with local officials.
Mr Peek had reported that most of the grave concentration work in Persia was now complete. Major Chettle reported on a tour of the Irish Free State. Questions had been asked about the state of graves in Tanganykia, but it was reported that there were no issues.
A number of ceremonies had taken place in France and Belgium – most notably one by the 2nd Australian Division at Mont St. Quentin. Tourist Agencies and other pilgrimage organisers were to be asked to encourage cemetery visitors to sign the Visitors’ Books.
M. Hymans, the Belgian Prime Minister had been asked for a postponement to the next meeting of the Anglo-Belgian Mixed Committee due to the questions relating to the Endowment Fund.
201st Meeting of the Finance Committee
Discussion about Civil Service pay cuts; staff on inclusive rates would be asked to accept reduced pay (after superannuation deductions). Staff in France would keep the previous exchange rate for one month only. Staff earning over £400 p.a. would not be affected until new Foreign office rates were set. The Vice-Chairman would visit France to explain these changes.
The following section was struck through as if redacted.
Income from Stocks and Endowment Fund
Agreed that Government contributions to the Endowment Fund could accumulate at compound interest until paid in full. The Chancellor of the Exchequer proposed suspending the UK’s £300,000 annual contribution for a period of 1-2 years (possibly up to 5 years), though funding for the Commission’s work would not be reduced. Mention that the Dominions had already met their full obligations so their contributions could not be withheld. Several members stressed the need to inform and consult the Dominion Governments before taking any action. Concerns were raised about public perception, the importance of secrecy, and the need for a firm date for resuming payments. Sir George Macdonogh emphasised protection of the long term viability of the Endowment Fund. A small committee was appointed to handle discussion with the Dominions. Questions addressed about maintenance funding, existing UK contributions, and interest allocations.
German Graves
Toc H had suggested to the German Embassy that they should assist in the maintenance of German graves in the United Kingdom. The Commission would contact Toc H to inform them of the Commission’s responsibility which was to treat the German graves in the same way as British graves.
Torquay Extramural Cemetery
Formal approval given for the maintenance of graves in this cemetery.
V.C. Corner Australian Cemetery, Fromelles
Agreement that unmarked plots in this cemetery should be marked with a flat stone crosses to mark the graves of the soldiers buried there. The names were known but not the individual graves.
Staff Of The Commission
Mentions that the terminations of Messrs. F.F. Blake (Accounts Clerk, France) and C. Curtis (Assistant Inspector of Headstones, UK) were approved.
Cemetery And Memorial Registers
Mentions that 11 Cemetery Registers, containing 12,588 names had been published since the last meeting. Of ‘the Million Dead’, some 992, 192 names were now recorded in the registers.
Attendees:
The Most Hon. The Marquess of Crewe, K.G. (Secretary of State for War, in the Chair)
Major-General Sir Fabian Ware, K.C.V.O., K.B.E., C.B., C.M.G. (Vice-Chairman)
Major-General S. F. Muspratt, C.B., C.S.I., C.I.E., D.S.O. (Representing the Secretary of State for India)
The Most Hon. The Marquess of Londonderry, K.G., M.V.O. (First Commissioner of Works)
Major-General Sir Granville Ryrie, K.C.M.G., C.B. (High Commissioner for Australia)
Lieut.-Colonel G. P. Vanier, D.S.O., M.C. (Representing the High Commissioner for Canada)
The Hon. Sir Thomas Wilford, K.C.M.G., K.C. (High Commissioner for New Zealand)
C.T. te Water, Esq. (High Commissioner for South Africa)
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.
Admiral Sir Morgan Singer, K.C.B., K.C.V.O.
Lord Stanley, M.C., M.P.
J.J. Lawson, Esq., M.P.
General Sir Archibald Montgomery Massingberd, K.C.B., K.C.M.G
W.P. Spens, Esq., O.B.E., K.C.
There were also present:
Colonel Sir George Badgerow, C.M.G., C.V.O., M.D., F.R.C.S. (Canada)
Major G.C. Arthur, D.S.O. (Canada)
Thomas Trumble, Esq., C.M.G., C.B.E., (Australia)
R. Webster, Esq. (South Africa)
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, O.B.E. (Director of Records)
Captain E.J. King, M.C.
B.S. Conyngham Greene, Esq. |