| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Introduction by Mr Duff Cooper chairing his first meeting as Secretary of State for War. Vice-Chairman reported on successful conclusion of Anglo-German-French agreement with the first meeting due in May 1937.
Report on first post-war ex-service men appointed as gardeners in France: Moore, Garner, Moir, and Oldfield.
Designs for Villers-Bretonneux Memorial sent to Australia for approval.
Anglo-Italian Mixed Committee
Vice-Chairman report on visit to Italy to discuss the Anglo-Italian Agreement of 1922. Italian officials had forgotten its existence but discussions led to agreement to continue with it with new representatives from the Italian side. Foreign Office would be consulted to discuss whether exchange of notes required. Vice-Chairman confirmed Commission’s work unaffected by the political situation. Major C K Phillips, MVO, OBE would join the Committee.
Report on the first meeting of the Iraq Committee
Refers to paper presented at meeting, including discussion of the necessary Enabling Law.
Liverpool (St. James) Cemetery
Consideration of the matter of Liverpool (St. James’s) Cemetery was to be postponed to the next meeting.
Discovery and reburial of bodies in France and Belgium
Refers to a slight decrease in the number of bodies found in France and Belgium as noted in the paper presented before the meeting.
Anglo-French Mixed Committee
The Vice-Chairman reported on discussions with Sir Walter Citrine of the Trades Union Congress, and with Rev. Dr. Michael Adler (senior Jewish Chaplain during the war) about the Anglo-German-French agreement. Mr Beavis was stepping down from the Anglo-French Mixed Committee and Mr Duffy, and Monsieur Brun were appointed.
Report of 247th meeting of the Finance Committee
Refers to the report presented before the meeting. Repairs to the Stahnsdorf Cemetery in Berlin, the construction of the Villers-Brettoneux memorial, and the costs of memorials on German graves were specifically discussed among more general matters.
Another, un-minuted matter was discussed when the members of staff had left. It would be reported on at the next meeting.
Attendees:
The Rt. Hon. A. Duff Cooper, D.S.O., M.P. (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)
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)
V.C. Duffy. Esq., M.V.O. (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
S.R. Skinner, Esq., (Representing the High Commissioner for New Zealand)
The Hon. C.T. te Water - 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 George Macdonogh, G.B.E., K.C.B., K.C.M.G.
Admiral Sir Morgan Singer, K.C.B., K.C.V.O.
J.J. Lawson, Esq., M.P.
W.P. Spens, Esq., O.B.E., K.C., M.P.
Lieut.-General Sir Harry Knox, K.C.B., D.S.O.
Also present:
G.W. Klerk, Esq., (South Africa)
Lieut.-Colonel C. P. Oswald, C.M.G., O.B.E., (Assistant Secretary Finance)
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
Mr F. Tyrrell, M.B.E.
Mr B. S. Conyngham Greene
Mr O. Holt |