| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Recorded that the work of the Commission was now moving from a construction phase to a maintenance phase, with many difficulties, but hopefully none which could not be overcome.
Imperial Co-Operation
Refers to comment by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that the Vice-Chairman’s experience in the IWGC was a unique example of Imperial partnership. A committee was being established to go further into the matter.
Lord Plumer
Death of Lord Plumer reported. His role from the early days of the Commission was noted and the Commission formally recorded their sense of loss.
Prince Maurice of Battenberg
Refers to Princess Beatrice’s request to have a private memorial placed on her son’s grave, which had been deliberated several times and the Commission had continued to be firm in the policy of the standard headstone being the only acceptable design. Due to the efforts of Lord Arthur Browne, who had been in contact with General Campbell, the Colonel in Chief of the 60th Rifles, Princess Beatrice had finally accepted the Commissions headstone.
Awards
Gardeners Messrs. Layland, Luxton and Roberts had received B.E.M. at the Somme Memorial just before the unveiling.
Letters of appreciation of the Commission’s work received from Bishop Lucas of Canada and General Wauchope, who had been High Commissioner in Palestine.
Noted that Mr. J. S. Cleland had replaced Mr. J. S. MacPhail as a member of the Commission’s Agency in South Africa. A note of thanks would be sent to Mr. MacPhail.
Following a visit to Palestine, Sir Edwin Lutyens reported that the Jerusalem cemetery was excellently maintained. Following a press visit to the Cemetery in Murmansk necessary repairs had been made to two headstones.
Canadian War Memorial
Mention that, prior to being sent to Canada, the Memorial which was to be erected in Ottawa would be on display in Hyde Park. There would be no ceremony as it would not be erected in Ottawa for some years. It is due to be situated on the former Post Office site, opposite Parliament.
Ottawa Conference
The Vice-Chairman reported on the service held prior to the opening of the Ottawa Conference, saying how it was modelled on the service at Westminster Abbey prior to the 1926 Imperial Conference.
Endowment Fund:
Refers to a letter from Sir James Allen who had been involved in the setting up of the Endowment Fun while he was the High Commissioner in London. He had originally not agreed with the permanent policy proposed, but had now acknowledged that Sir Fabian Ware was correct and that the idea was sound.
Several ceremonies were reported: In Mandal (Norway), Boy Scouts accompanied by the British Consul and locals, laid a wreath. On ‘Delville Sunday’ a ceremony was held in Delville Wood. Mr Spens had attended an unexpected service in Tyne Cot Cemetery by a party from the St. Martin’s Association. Some 100 people, including limbless ex-servicemen had attended. It was proposed to hold annually, but Mr Spens suggested giving prior notice in future. Other ceremonies reported in Arras, Mont St. Quentin and Pozieres.
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Discussion about ‘so-called Ex-service Men’s Association’ and their offer of Rolls of Honour for sale, as well as quality of wreaths supplied by the Association, which had been delivered for the unveiling of the Thiepval Memorial. Arrangements for question over laying of wreaths to be asked in Parliament.
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Report Of The 212th Meeting Of The Finance Committee
Mention that the Exchange Relief was to continue. Future of the Arras School mentioned.
Arras And Somme Memorials
The Vice-Chairmen requested that the reports in “The Times” of the unveiling of the Somme and Arras memorials be included in the minutes in full. Also included in the minutes are the speeches by the Prince of Wales, Monsieur Lerbrun, the French President and Lord Trenchard. The Vice-Chairman reported the presence of Bishop Southwell, who had served on the Somme during the war and also that Sir Henry Maddocks’ son assisted in the wreath laying at Arras. Sir Henry was buried in the Cemetery at the Arras Memorial.
The Vice-Chairman reflected on the impact of the live broadcasting of the events across the Empire.
National Battlefield Memorials Committee
The Middleton Committee had been responsible for advising the Government on Battlefield Memorials. As the Government had decided not to erect separate British memorials, the work was handed over to the Commission and the Battlefield Memorials Committee was established. It was decided, however, that this Committee was no longer needed and would be dissolved.
Anglo-Belgian Mixed Committee
Following receipt of a letter from the British Ambassador in Brussels, it was agreed that General Maton be appointed as an Honorary Member to the Committee and Monsieur J. Bajard appointed as an Official Member of the Committee. On his retirement, the Committee expressed its gratitude to Monsieur J. de Becker for his work.
Reported that General Maton had been Belgian Military Attaché in London during the war and had worked with the Directorate of Graves Registration and Enquiries. It was agreed to write to General Maton expressing the Commission’s pleasure at working with him again.
Other Matters:
Termination of S. H. Tinkler.
Apologies received from Mr Bruce who had been unable to attend this first meeting since his appointment. The Vice-Chairman asked for Mr Bruce to be assured that he hoped he would be able to attend their meetings soon as he was one of the ‘fathers of the Commission’.
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)
Thomas Trumble, Esq., C.M.G., C.B.E. (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
G.W. Klerck, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for South Africa)
J.L. Murphy, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for Newfoundland)
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.
J.J. Lawson, Esq., M.P.
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)
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.
F.C. Sillar, Esq.
F. Tyrrell, Esq. |