| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Mentions that letters were received from several relatives of those buried in Zeebrugge Cemetery, accepting the proposal that the graves should be maintained by the Germans. Also was reported how many of the sons of staff in France had found placements with the Army Technical School, the Navy and Gordon Boys’ Home. It was agreed that instead of the poppies from the ‘Field of Remembrance’ at Westminster Abbey being placed on graves in France, they would instead be burnt and the ashes interred in a cemetery instead. Previous years ashes would be scattered in the joint cemetery at Thiepval.
The Chinese Minister in London had visited the cemeteries in France and congratulated the Commission on what he had seen. He was considering having the cemetery registers of Chinese burials translated into Chinese at his own expense. The unveiling of the Warriors’ Chapel in Westminster Abbey was reported. It was reported that the Commission’s representative in Italy, Count Memmo, was moving his Headquarters from Vicenza to Rome. It was not expected to affect the supervision of the cemeteries, most of which were nearer Vicenza than Rome.
The meeting was shown photographs of the unveiling of the New Zealand National War Memorial Tower. Other reports of cemetery visits were reported on. Details of the unveiling ceremonies at Thiepval and Arras had been circulated, and Mr Kipling accepted the request to lay a wreath on behalf of the Commission.
A lengthy discussion took place regarding the “Overseas Ex-Service Men’s Association”. This organisation had previously been approved by the Commission to lay wreaths on behalf of family members of the dead. However, their approval had been removed following their collection of money in connection with the Arras and Somme Memorials long before they were built. They were sending out a “Roll of Honour” showing the soldier’s name, and cemetery or memorial. This was accompanied with a bill for 2/6d as payment for it. Mr Kipling had himself received one, and showed it to the meeting. There was much discussion about the owner of the copyright as the text was taken from the cemetery registers; would the copyright extend to France; was the money actually destined for ex-servicemen as suggested in the covering letter. A number of relatives had told the Commission that they appreciated the document, but the general feeling was that it was an infringement of copyright and it was agreed that the press should be notified to warn relatives from dealing with organisation.
Report Of The 211th Meeting Of The Finance Committee
Mentions that the Vice-Chairman had been empowered to spend sums of up to £5,000 without authority in emergencies, but the Treasury representative would have to be consulted. The Finance Committee was revieing the wages in France and Belgium since the men in Belgium although they received the same wage, benefited from between 5 and 10% as the cost of living was lower.
Report Of The 16th Meeting Of The Staff Committee
Mentions that Head Gardener and Caretaker Davis had agreed to move to a lower grade post in Belgium and gardener Cotsworth had been dismissed after a long case.
Anglo-French and Anglo-Belgian Mixed Committees
Resolution placed before the meeting to appoint Major Chettle to these two committees as the need for economy meant that they would be without a Secretary-General. Major Chettle would be able to deal with any urgent matters.
The meeting was reminded that the arrangements for the unveiling of the Arras and Somme Memorials was as planned for Whitsuntide. Transport would be by Char-à-bancs from Calais to Arras.
Staff Of The Commission
Report of the appointments of Mr A.W. Mildenhall (Chief Clerk of Works, France) and Mr T.H. Newton (Chief Assistant Engineer, UK) to the Commission.
Conversion Of War Loan
Mentions that a small amount of War Loan stock at 5% was to be converted to a 3.5% holding.
Gift Of Furniture To The Commission’s Office
Mentions that the Treasury was formally thanked for the furniture which had previously been the property of the Office of Works.
Retirement of Sir Granville Ryrie
Tributes to Sir Granville Ryrie were made by Mr Kipling and Colonel Vanier as it was his last Commission meeting. Sir Granville thanked the meeting and gave some brief valedictory thoughts about his time as a commissioner. Includes an anecdote about Sir Granville Ryrie climbing a pine tree to retrieve a boomerang during the Boer War.
Attendees:
Major-General Sir Fabian Ware, K.C.V.O., K.B.E., C.B., C.M.G. (Vice-Chairman, in the Chair)
Colonel W.W. Chitty, C.M.G., C.I.E. (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)
R. Webster, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for South Africa)
Rudyard Kipling, Esq.
Lieut.-General Sir George Macdonogh, G.B.E., K.C.B., K.C.M.G. (in the Chair)
J.J. Lawson, Esq., M.P.
W.P. Spens, Esq., C.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)
Lieut.-Colonel C.P. Oswald, O.B.E. (Assistant Secretary, Finance)
Lieut.-Colonel H.F. Robinson, C.M.G. (Director of Works)
Major H. Le M. Fellowes
Captain H.P. R. Foster
Captain E.J. King, M.C.
B.S. Conyngham Greene, Esq.
F. Tyrrell, Esq. |