| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Mention that New Year Honours awarded to several staff: Lord Stanley made a Privy Councillor, Mr Knowles (NZ) made a C.B.E and the Head Gardener Robert Gordon (Ypres) was awarded a B.E.M. The French Government reported that work on the British graves in the Cameroons was now almost complete.
Statement Of Accounts Of The Endowment Fund
Mentions the Endowment Fund statement presented showing a value of over £2.5m following the receipt of an additional contribution of £300,000.
Anglo-French Mixed Committee
Mention that the French Government nominated their chief military historian Colonel Halbwachs to fill a vacancy on the Anglo-French Mixed Committee.
Anglo-Belgian Mixed Committee
Mentions that Sir George Clerk would join the Anglo-Belgian Mixed Committee.
42nd Divisional Memorial At Trescault
Proposal that the maintenance of the 42nd Divisional memorial at Trecault would be taken into the Commission’s care.
Concentration Of Isolated Graves In France And Belgium
The ongoing recovery of bodies in France and Belgium was discussed. Over 44,000 British bodies had been found since the original estimates were made in 1924. No systematic searches were being made, but bodies were being found during routine works. Recent finds included New Zealanders near Flers, and South Africans in Delville Wood.
Employment Of Gardeners’ Sons in France
Mentions that the employment of gardeners’ sons in France would be discussed at a later meeting.
Report Of The 228th Meeting Of The Finance Committee
Comment from the Vice-Chairman who pointed out how the estimate for 1934-35 was very close to the figure proposed several years previously. Factors influencing this include the Australian Governments contribution for the Villers-Bretonneux memorial and the restoration of the cuts to the salaries of staff in the UK. A £47,000 shortfall due to the exchange rate fluctuations covering the wages of staff in Belgium and France would be covered by some of the various governments. The ‘extraordinary’ additional costs due by exchange rate fluctuations might recur following year. Only economies identified were in staff numbers in Belgium and France with subsequent questions over standard of maintenance. Vice-Chairman reported on his recent appearance at the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Commons where he was closely questioned on the Reserve Fund. Once the estimates were fixed, the Governments would be approached for their share of the funds.
Attendees:
Major-General Sir Fabian Ware, K.C.V.O., K.B.E., C.B., C.M.G. (Vice-Chairman, in the Chair)
Colonel G.L. Pepys, C.B., 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 L.E. Beavis, D.S.O. (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
V.G. Housden, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for New Zealand)
G.W. Klerck, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for South Africa)
The Hon. Sir Edgar Bowring, K.C.M.G. (High Commissioner for Newfoundland)
Rudyard Kipling, Esq.
Admiral Sir Morgan Singer, K.C.B., K.C.V.O.
General Sir Cecil Romer, K.C.B., K.B.E., C.M.G.
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.
B.S. Conyngham Greene, Esq. |