| Content Note | Topics covered:
Report of the death of Lord Sysonby – friend and advisor to the Commission. Various reports on a range of subjects: photos of German cemeteries and memorials, staffing changes, drought in Salonika, enrolment of gardener-caretaker’s child to school in the UK funded by the Commission; Various ceremonies held in France and Belgium were reported on; Gift given to King George as a Jubilee present from Prince Charles; Visits to the 2nd Australian Divisional Memorial; visits by the British Legion and of German ex-service men to war graves in Brighton and Hove.
Several reports of Armistice Day events were reported on: The British Legion Festival in the Royal Albert Hall and wreath-laying in Westminster Abbey; Commission gardeners represented in the Cenotaph ceremony and the Festival of Remembrance; Vice-Chairman introduced radio address given by Mr Brook, Head Gardener at Étaples Cemetery; Representations at the Armistice Day events in Paris and Brussels.
The first 12-year cycle of headstone maintenance was now ending. 45,000 dealt with.
Anglo-French Mixed Committee to meet on December 4th. Acceptance of the proposals for negotiations in connection with the Committee received from all but Canada and South Africa.
Report received from the Eton School at Ypres received and available for review.
Report of the 246th Meeting of the Finance Committee
Discussion about new pay scales to apply to Civil Servants working for the Commission. Committee agreed that the Commission would pay for the erection of stones on German graves in France and England since the German Government would be paying for the stones themselves. Matter of whether Commission staff on temporary service would be entitled to gratuities was still under consideration.
Anglo-Belgian Mixed Committee
Mentions a meeting held in Brussels on the topic of the attack by the “Sunday Express” on the sounding of the “Last Post”. It was noted that none of the Belgian members had heard of the attack. Reported that the type of headstone for German graves had been approved and were now being installed.
Jerusalem War Cemetery – Protection Of Surrounding Land
Report on the danger of building works encroaching on the cemetery. A proposal to buy 4.2 acres of land do avoid this was discussed, but it was stated that the Commission could not do so other than by public subscription. Proposal to ask the High Commissioner in Palestine to issue an appeal in the first instance.
Anglo-Greek Mixed Committee
Resolution for Monsieur Alexander Photiades to fill the vacancy on the Committee caused by the death of Professor André Andreades.
Consolidation of previous agreements with the Portsmouth Corporation was agreed, which would save £28 p.a.
Discovery And Reburial Of Remains In France And Belgium
A sharp rise in bodies discovered in France and Belgium was reported. Mr Kipling asked who was finding them and were they rewarded. It was stated that they were found by metal-searchers (generally unemployed miners) and they were paid 10 Francs per body – the same sum as paid by the French and Belgian Governments.
Mentions a very confidential matter to be dealt with outwith the meeting and minutes circulated separately.
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. MacLeod, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for Canada)
V.C. Duffy, Esq., M.V.O. (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
S.R. Skinner, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for New Zealand)
G.W. Klerk, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for South Africa)
The Hon. Sir Edgar Bowring, K.C.M.G. (Representing the Government of Newfoundland)
Rudyard Kipling, Esq.
Lieut.-General Sir Harry Knox, K.C.B., D.S.O.
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, 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)
B. S. Conyngham Greene, Esq.
O. Holt, Esq. |