| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Preliminary topics covered: Headstones for Bulgarian graves in British cemeteries in Macedonia; Report on storm damage in Macedonia; Visit to British graves in Rio de Janeiro and Montevideo; Ceremony in Sofia on Armistice Day; Report on graves in Pillippopolis (Plovdiv).
Unveiling of memorial plaque in Arras Cathedral to be held on May 10th. Unveiling to be performed by the new Chairman (Mr Duff Cooper). Decision made that it was not suitable to inviting German representatives from the Anglo-German-French Committee.
250th meeting of the Finance Committee
Reported that despite the uncertainty of the rate of exchange, the remuneration of Sir Edwin Lutyens for the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial would be satisfactory. Situation of promoted staff who were at the maximum of their pay-scale. Vice-Chairman recommended trusting the Finance Committee to recommend these changes.
Meeting with the Minister of Health was unsuccessful in changing the eligibility of staff working abroad for the Commission to draw the new state pension. Mr Spens outlined the regulations as they applied. The Minister, Sir Kingsley Wood, was sympathetic but feared it would open the door to many other such claims. Commission agreed to revisit the issue.
Anglo-German-French Committee
Mentions the Foreign Office had insisted that there was an Instrument constituting the Committee. Major Chettle explained that the Commission’s Charter empowered them to do this, so the Commissioners present proposed and agreed the necessary motions.
Application for the erection of a tablet in Baghdad
Refers to a request received from a church in Baghdad which was being built as a memorial to the men and women who died in Iraq during the war. The request was for a similar one to those installed in Westminster Abbey, and in certain Cathedrals across France and Belgium. The cost would be about £150 but it was suggested that a reproduction (cost £3) was possible.
Anglo-Belgian Mixed Committee and Anglo-Italian Mixed Committee
Mentions that The Hon. Vincent Massey was appointed to the Anglo-Belgian Mixed Committee, and Sir Edgar Bowring to the Anglo-Italian Mixed Committee. As part of the regularisation of the Anglo-Italian Committee, it was proposed to exchange notes. Also, a meeting was proposed to be held in Rome in April, but it would probable to be postponed at the present time.
Education Committee
Refers to decision for the appointment of Mr J.W. Parker to the Education Committee.
Villers-Bretonneux Memorial
Formal approval sought for the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial. Sir Francis Kenyon and Colonel Robinson were satisfied with both the design and recording of names, and a motion was passed approving the work.
Discovery and reburial of bodies in France and Belgium
The number of bodies found in Belgium and France was reported, with figures exactly doubling those for the corresponding weeks in 1935 and approached the figures for the same period in 1934. It was noted that it was impossible to know when the discovery of bodies would come to an end, but that it would probably be many years.
Cemetery and memorial registers
The cemetery and memorial register for the City and County of Dublin was presented. The first for the Irish Free State. It was noted that relations between the Commission and the Irish Free State were happy. Headstones for British graves had been marked at their own cost in most counties.
Villers-Bretonneux Memorial
A formal agreement was approved between the Commission and Sir Edwin Lutyens for his designs for the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.
Annual Report
Copies of the Annual Report were made available. For the first time cemetery photographs were included.
The Vice-Chairman mentioned that although there was guidance for the erection of a Cross of Sacrifice in cemeteries, there was one exception, and that was for Lord Haig who was buried at Dryburgh. He then suggested that it might be possible that the Dominion Governments might raise a similar request for their commanders. This would be discussed at a subsequent meeting.
Attendees:
Major-General Sir Fabian Ware, K.C.V.O., K.B.E., C.B., C.M.G. (Vice-Chairman. In the Chair)
Major L.H. Cockram (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)
C. Knowles, Esq., C.B.E. (Representing the High Commissioner for New Zealand)
G.W. Klerk, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for South Africa)
The Hon. Sir Edgar Bowring (Representing the Dominion of Newfoundland)
Admiral Sir Morgan Singer, K.C.B., K.C.V.O.
The Rt. Hon. Lord Stanley, M.C., M.P.
W.P. Spens, Esq., O.B.E., K.C., M.P.
Also present:
Colonel Sir George W. Badgerow, C.M.G., C.V.O., M.D., F.R.C.S. (Canada)
Lieut.-Colonel, Sir Frederic Kenyon, G.B.E., K.C.B.
Edmund Blunden, Esq., M.C.
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)
Captain R. Haworth, O.B.E.
F.C. Sillar, Esq.
F. Tyrell Esq., M.B.E.
B.S. Conyngham Greene, Esq.
O. Holt, Esq. |