| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Report on Sir George Macdonogh’s health. Mr Phillipson of the Ceylon Civil Service welcomed. Brief overview of War Graves in Ceylon. Sir Edgar Bowring to visit France shortly on an inspection tour and to present the B.E.M. to Mr Frank Ray. Report of dedication service of a memorial to Lord Plumer at St. George’s Church at Ypres. Annual American Memorial Day at Brookwood. Report received from Geneva about the Turkish Government proposing to re-fortify the Dardenelles. Matter passed to the Foreign Office. Reports from ceremonies at La Couture, Le Touret, Cambria, Ostend, at the Menin Gate. Polish Memorial inaugurated at Neuville St. Vaast. Further ceremonies at Thiepval and Terlincthun. Also mentions a jumble sale held by the Arras and District Branch of the British Legion and cites the number of visitors signing the Visitors’ Books in France and Belgium during May 1933 was 3,119 at the memorials and 3,086 at the cemeteries; a total of 6,205.
Mention that a Union Jack flag had now been provided for flying on the Commission’s offices in London and that a proposal had been put to the other member governments about specific days when the flag should be flown.
Discussions about the permanent markings on German graves in the UK following recent talk wth the German Embassy. German-made ones had been unsatisfactory. Germans had requested occasional renewals, but the concrete nature of the stones meant this wasn’t possible. Further discussion about the Flemish wording on the Ploegsteert Memorial and at Tyne Cot Cemetery, the latter of which was faulty.
Report Of The 222nd Meeting Of The Finance Committee
The report included headstones on certain graves in the UK, additional cost for headstones in Baghdad and the recommendation to continue Exchange Relief.
Report Of The 4th Meeting Of The Education Committee
Mentions 22 applications for education grants. The £10 would now be split over 2 half-yearly instalments except for the initial payment. Miss Pennethorne to visit France on the 3rd July.
Anglo-French Mixed Committee
Resolution that Lord Byng would replace Lord Plumer, and Major Beavis would replace MR Trumble.
Marking Of Australian Post-War Grave
Mentions that the Commission agreed to erect a headstone in Gateshead who recently died directly from war injuries. The Commission would not pay for this at this stage. The cost would be paid by the Australian Government. This was already the case with New Zealand graves, but by discussion here it would remind other Governments of the Commission’s policy.
Concentration Of Isolated Graves
Refers to the statement dealing with the number of bodies found during the past two months, particularly the figures of the French Graves Services which included a discovery of a number of German bodies (identified and unidentified). Mention that 103 British bodies were found in April and 55 in May, and of these 18 were identified at the time of discovery and others would probably be identified later.
Staff Of The Commission
Mentions a successor was to be appointed following the resignation of Dr. M Rippin, Medical Officer, Central European District.
Marking Of German Graves In British Cemeteries In France
Refers to the proposed design for headstones on German graves in British Cemeteries in France had been received. Discussion in particular about the shape an alignment of the top of the stone. Cost of production and erection (by the Commission) to be paid for by the Germans.
To close the meeting, Mr Phillipson gave a short report on the condition of graves in Ceylon.
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)
E.P. Luke, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for Canada)
Major L.E. Beavis, D.S.O. (Representing the Australian Minister in London)
V.G. Housden, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for New Zealand)
The Hon. Sir Edgar Bowring (High Commissioner for Newfoundland)
Rudyard Kipling, Esq.
Admiral Sir Morgan Singer, K.C.B., K.C.V.O.
There were also present:
Colonel Sir George Badgerow, C.M.G., C.V.O., M.D., F.R.C.S. (Canada)
Sydney Phillipson Esq., (Ceylon)
Lieut.-Colonel Sir Frederic Kenyon, G.B.E., K.C.B.
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. |