| Content Note | Subjects covered:
minutes of the previous meeting were agreed and signed
acknowledgment of letter from the acting Principal Assistant Secretary Arthur Browne stating that at a recent Commission meeting it was agreed that any two members of the Finance Committee would constitute a quorum
consideration of report from the Director of Works relating to the extra work necessary for the construction of Giavera Cemetery, Italy due to the issues with the ground under which the foundations of the cemetery wall were to be constructed, with authorisation given for additional expenditure
consideration and recommendation of acceptance of report submitted by the Vice Chairman concerning expenditure for the month of November
consideration of report by the Controller of Administration recommending that the provision of twice yearly free passages to the United Kingdom currently enjoyed by overseas employees on weekly wages be extended to include overseas employees in receipt of wages up to and including £300 per year, with resolution that the question be referred to the Commission
consideration of report from the Controller of Administration regarding a revised draft agreement for the appointment of staff on weekly wages, with resolution recommending the adoption of the revised details
consideration of the question of acceptance of tenders for the construction work for cemeteries in the United Kingdom, following request from Major William Binnie, Deputy Director of Works, in order to expedite the work, with recommendation that the Finance Committee be authorised to accept such tenders
consideration of the disposal of funds received as a donation from Mrs Lorne Currie, with resolution that such funds be placed in the General Fund of the Commission for the care and maintenance of graves of the fallen
presentation by the Vice-Chairman of draft estimates for Commission expenditure in the year ending 31st March 1921, with resolution that the Committee hold a special meeting to consider the estimates
consideration of a report from the Deputy Controller, France requesting the appointment of additional personnel on the staff of the Commission in France, with recommendation that such additional personnel be appointed
consideration of report from the Director of Works on five tenders received for the supply of 32 bronze swords for Great War Crosses in France and Italy, with recommendation that the tender from Messrs. Bainbridge Reynolds and Co., be accepted
Attendees:
Major General Fabian Ware, CB, CMG (Chairman)
Sir William Garstin, GCMG
Harry Gosling, CH, JP
Lt. Col. Hogben (representing the Rt. Hon. Andrew Fisher)
Mr A. P. Waterfield (representing the Treasury)
Lt. Colonel H. Ellissen (Secretary)
Also present
Lt. Colonel F. R. Durham, OBE, MC (Director of Works)
Additional documents include:
agenda, resolutions, report and handwritten minutes and minute notes of the 13th meeting of the Finance Committee, 14th January 1920
copy report and letters between Lt. Col. T. Lowry, Inspector of Works Italy; Capt. A. M. Winder, Architect; and Lt. Colonel F. R. Durham, Director of Works, regarding the additional work required in Giavera Cemetery due to the discovery of a bad area of ground under the line of the cemetery wall, 4th – 16th December 1919
tabulated monthly expenditures for November 1919, with details of income and cash expenditures from April to November 1919
three copy letters concerning the question of extending the provision of twice yearly free passages to Commission staff on the salaried list, including letter from the Col. C. D. Branch, Controller of Administration to the Financial Adviser that the current distinction between the granting of free passage home between salaried staff and those on weekly wages seems arbitrary, that the difference should it continue may cause dissatisfaction, and that a large proportion of the men would prefer to take their leave in two parts in order to visit their families; 7th November 1919 – 1st January 1920 (2 copies of each letter)
copy of a revised draft agreement for the employment of Commission staff on weekly wages, with terms and conditions of service, with accompanying letter from Col. C. D. Branch, Controller of Administration, 3rd January 1920
copy of letter from Major William Binnie, Deputy Director of Works, advising that tenders for the construction work in St. Albans Cemetery will soon be asked for, and that after that a small number of contracts will be issued at irregular intervals, and requesting that the Finance Committee obtained authority to approve such tenders associated with the work in the UK in order to speed up the process, 7th January 1920
copy report of the 12th meeting of the Finance Committee, 10th December 1919
copy correspondence regarding the donation of funds to the Commission by Mrs Lorne Currie, including letter from Captain G.E. Clements, late Staff Captain of Le Havre base to Mrs Currie which accompanied the initial cheque which was the balance from the British Graves’ Fund (Havre), 29th December 1919, letter from Mrs Currie to the IWGC enclosing cheque and advising that the money had come from a fund set up by an Army Padre and had been received by the Senior Chaplain at Havre, Major Parry Evans, 2nd January 1920, and letter from Fabian Ware to Mrs Currie thanking her for the donation and advising that it will be placed in a general fund for the care and maintenance of war graves, 7th January 1920
copy report from Colonel H. T. Goodland, IWGC Deputy Controller, requesting authority for the appointment of additional personnel for the Commission in France, including three Deputy Assistant Inspectors of Works; five General Clerks (Construction); one Chief Quantity Surveyor; two Quantity Surveyors; eight Quantity Surveyors Clerks; six Horticultural Clerks, three Travelling Superintendent Gardeners; one Superintendent of Records and Personnel; one Chief Storeman; one Superintendent of Camps and Billets; two Storekeepers; one Assistant Transport Officer; one Works Manager; one Details Superintendent; and two Garage Foremen; with details of each role, responsibilities and salary., 20th December 1919
report by Major William Binnie, Deputy Director of Works, on the results of the tendering for the contract for 32 bronze swords for France and Italy, with tabulated detailed figures for the tenders received, reference to the fact that the first bronze sword made for Le Treport cemetery was lost in transit but subsequently recovered, and advising that the lowest tender received was from Messrs. Bainbridge, Reynolds and Co, who had already successfully tendered for the bronze swords for Le Treport, Forceville and Louvencourt, 10th January 1920.
copy lists of new appointees, resignations and promotions to the staff of the Commission, including the following:
Appointments:
R.T. Cocks – Surveyor, France
T.G. Bryceson – Architectural Draughtsman, France
W. Holden - Architectural Chief Draughtsman, France
K.J. Bonner - Architectural Draughtsman, France
P. Waters – Senior Mechanic
A.H. Morris – Foreman Clerk of Works, Palestine
Major W.F. Austin – Officer I/C Billeting and Rationing, France
Lieutenant H.V. Vokes – Assistant Horticultural Officer, France
Lieutenant S.H. Fortune - Officer I/C Survey Dept. Macedonia
W. Thompson – Contracts Officer, France
Col. Lord A. Browne, K.B.E. – Principal Assistant Secretary, London
F.S. Chappell – Architectural Draughtsman, London
Lieutenant S. Lansley – Superintendent Clerk, Palestine
Captain J.A.B. Eliot, M.B.E. – Accountant, London
Resignations:
A.J.E. Pettifer – Senior Mechanic, France
J.E. Talbot – Principal Assistant Secretary, London
Captain F.H. Frith - Officer I/C Billeting and Rationing, France
Promotions:
Captain F. Higginson from Architect to Assistant Inspector of Works, France
E.H. Wilson from Accounting Clerk to Accountant
note to the Financial Adviser signed by F.C. Sillar on behalf of the Acting Principal Assistant Secretary, advising that General Macready will be unable to attend the 13th Finance Committee Meeting, 13th January 1920 |