| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Report of the death of gardener Mr. E. J. Church in a railway accident. Report on visit by Mr Lyons (Prime Minister of Australia) to the battlefields. Visits made to Ypres, La Targette, Arras, Albert and Villers-Bretonneux. As reported in the press that day, Mr Kipling arranged for sounding of the Last Post at the Loos Memorial in perpetuity. Work in the Irish Free State almost complete with difficulties remaining in just Sligo and Co. Clare. The erection of unsuitable buildings around the Jerusalem British War Cemetery had led to Colonel Hughes reporting to the Commission. Vice-Chairman hope to preserve a small area around the Cemetery.
Report Of The 243rd Meeting Of The Finance Committee
Mention that the Australian Government had asked the Commission for a suitable design for the memorial at Villers-Bretonneux and Sir Edwin Lutyens had been asked for a design. The design would be sent to Australia for their approval to proceed. Following the death of Captain Sheppard of New Zealand, Captain Murphy would replace him and Mr Housden in turn would replace Captain Murphy.
Proposed Anglo-Franco-German Committee
Refers to efforts to resolve two issues with the marking of German graves in British Cemeteries in France and the UK. Originally, headstones for German graves had been supplied by Germany but these were of poor quality. Whereas the Germans had supplied suitable stones for cemeteries in Belgium, it was different in France where the French had supplied wooden crosses (as stipulated in the Treaty of Versailles) but these were not in keeping with the British stones. Following a visit to Paris where he met French and German representatives a joint committee was proposed, and the Vice-Chair has trip to Berlin planned. Agreement would be sought from all Governments represented by the Commission. Situation of British graves in Germany then raised. Current situation in Germany discussed as such a visit could be used as propaganda by the German Government. Delegates gave their support to the idea of the Committee.
Filling Vacancies In The Gardening Staff In France And Belgium
Refers to depleted supply of ex-service men, and mentions replacements by children of staff were difficult as most would have French or Belgian mothers and so be more foreign than British. Other source, of more recent ex-service men more promising but with rising unemployment in France, new British gardeners arriving could cause problems. Agreed that Vice-Chairman should take this forward.
15th Divisional Memorial, Ramadi
Refers to the Commission’s agreement for the memorial to be moved into Baghdad British War Cemetery and the replacement of bronze panels with stone panels.
36th Ulster Division Memorial, Thiepval
Mentions that the Commission agreed to take on maintenance responsibilities for the Memorial.
Attendees:
The Rt. Hon. Viscount Halifax, K.G., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E. (Secretary of State for War, in the Chair)
Major-General Sir Fabian Ware, K.C.V.O., K.B.E., C.B., C.M.G. (Vice-Chairman)
Lieut.-General Sir John Coleridge, K.C.B., C.M.G., 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)
The Rt. Hon. S.M. Bruce, C.H., M.C. (High Commissioner for Australia)
The Hon. Sir James Parr, G.C.M.G. (High Commissioner for New Zealand)
G.W. Klerk, 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
Admiral Sir Morgan Singer, K.C.B., K.C.V.O.
The Rt. Hon. Lord Stanley, M.C., M.P.
J.J. Lawson, Esq., M.P.
There were also present:
Colonel G.L. Pepys, C.B., D.S.O. (India)
Colonel Sir George W. Badgerow, C.M.G., C.V.O., M.D., F.R.C.S (Canada)
V.C. Duffy, Esq., (Australia)
Lieut.-Colonel Sir Frederick Kenyon, G.B.E., K.C.B.
Lieut.-Colonel C.P. Oswald, C.M.G., 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)
Lieut.-Colonel E.H. Jarvis (Deputy Director of Works)
Mr F.C. Sillar, Esq.
Mr B.S. Conyngham Greene, Esq.
Mr F. Tyrell, Esq.
Mr O. Holt, Esq.
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