| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Apology from Lord Hailsham for his absence. Lord Crewe’s recent contributions were acknowledged, and Lord Stanley was congratulated on his recent appointment. The Minutes of the previous meeting were amended at Colonel Vanier’s request.
Mention that 50 copies of the Neuve Chapelle book had been sent to the Indian Round Table Conference. Major Chettle reported on his visit to France, where he inspected several Visitors’ Books, noting that most comments were favourable. The Vice-Chairman added that, following a recent conference in Brussels, there had been little easing in Belgian and French attitudes toward the Germans.
Report from Sir Granville Ryrie on his visit to English cemeteries containing Australian graves. Following his recent broadcast on the BBC, the Vice-Chairman expressed concern about a possible reduction in Armistice-time coverage and noted that discussions with the Corporation were ongoing. He also reported on two lectures he had recently delivered.
Mentions letters received from staff in France regarding the stabilisation of their pay following the fall in the value of the pound. It was agreed to continue the arrangement for a further month, subject to monthly review.
Endowment Fund
Following discussions with Sir Warren Fisher, an agreement between the Commission and HM Treasury was approved by Philip Snowden. The agreement clarified previous misunderstandings regarding the Endowment Fund and confirmed the United Kingdom Government’s obligation to make its contributions.
A report was then presented by the Committee under the chairmanship of Sir Granville Ryrie, summarising how the Commission had reached its current position. It was confirmed that maintenance arrangements would not be affected.
Resolutions were passed to submit the agreement for approval by all the Governments concerned, and thanks were expressed to the Vice-Chairman for his work in achieving this outcome.
[Following paragraph was marked as ‘Omit?’] It was agreed that no special publicity would be given to the matter, though it should not be concealed in any way. In accordance with normal procedure, the agreement would be laid before both Houses of Parliament of the United Kingdom.
[Following paragraph was marked as ‘Omit?’] Mr Lawson expressed concern that laying the matter before the House of Commons might lead to misunderstanding. The Vice-Chairman considered that the Commission would be able to address any questions arising. It was agreed that placing the documents before Parliament with the minimum of formality would be the best means of avoiding procedural complaints.
In response to a question about whether the same issue might arise the following year, it was stated that, now the Government was under an obligation to make the payments, it would be for the Commission to decide what it was prepared to offer should the Government seek further relief in the future.
Report of the 202nd meeting of the Finance Committee
Resolution proposed by Sir Thomas Wilford and seconded by Rudyard Kipling whereby the Report was adopted by the meeting.
Staff of the Commission
Approval of terminations of: Lt. Col. F. J. Cutting O.B.E. (Contracts Officer, France); P.F. Hennessy (Special Contracts Clerk); H.B. Alloway (Junior Quantity Surveyor); S.H. Browne (Junior Architect, France); L.D. Gibbs O.B.E. (2nd Class Clerk, Grade “A”, UK); and G.D. Morgan (Foreman of Works, France).
Cemetery and Memorial Registers
In response to a question from Rudyard Kipling, it was reported that the names of the Chinese personnel were obtained from the Admiralty. The Vice-Chairman noted that only around forty registers remained to be printed; one or two could not yet be completed because the cemeteries concerned were still open for the burial of newly discovered remains. Approximately 2,000 such burials were taking place each year, a rate expected to continue for 20 to 30 years.
The Vice-Chairman also informed the meeting that the text of a lecture he had delivered had been published by The Sunday Times, including graphic details that he himself had not used.
Toc H and German graves in the United Kingdom
Report that Toc H had recently offered the German Embassy its services in caring for German graves in the United Kingdom. The Commission sought clarification as to whether this implied that Toc H would assume full responsibility for the graves, but the Embassy confirmed that it would not.
It was suggested that Toc H believed it could tend the graves with greater sympathy; however, it was stated that they were already maintained by the Commission to the same high standard as British graves. The Vice-Chairman proposed asking Toc H whether it wished to receive the gratitude of the German people for undertaking work the Commission was already performing.
Further enquiries were made regarding the care and funding of British graves in Germany and in France.
Attendees:
Major-General Sir Fabian Ware, K.C.V.O., K.B.E., C.B., C.M.G. (Vice-Chairman, in the Chair)
Major-General S.F. Muspratt, C.B., C.S.I., C.I.E., D.S.O. (Representing the Secretary of State for India)
Lieut.-Colonel G.P. Vanier, D.S.O., M.C. (Representing the High Commissioner for Canada)
Major-General Sir Granville Ryrie, K.C.M.G., C.B. (High Commissioner for Australia)
The Hon. Sir Thomas Wilford, K.C.M.G., K.C. (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.
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:
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)
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.
F.C. Sillar, Esq.
F. Tyrrell, Esq.
B.S. Conyngham Greene, Esq. |