| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Letters received following recent Anglo-German-French Committee meeting.
Decision made to erect Cross of Sacrifice on General Currie’s grave.
Report from Major Vickery on state of affairs in Palestine and Egypt where no difficulties had thus far been experienced.
Report from Major Menzies of tour to Bulgaria and Roumania. Only adverse issue was state of British Military Cemetery in Sofia which would be addressed.
Commission sent good wishes to Canada on the forthcoming unveiling of the Vimy memorial.
Praise from Mr Stevens, Premier of New South Wales following his recent tour to Belgium and France.
At request of Yugoslav Government, 4 British casualties were to be buried in the Chapel of the Serbian War Cemetery at Skoplje (sic).
Reports of several ceremonies: at Shorncliffe by schoolchildren, on American graves in British cemeteries, unveiling of plaque in Avesnes-le-Compte.
Report of the 253rd meeting of the Finance Committee
Funding for erection of headstones on German graves in British cemeteries in France had been discussed along with the installation of Chevaux de frise on the Tower Hill Memorial. Colonel Robinson had consented to remain for a further two years.
Report of the 11th meeting of the Education Committee
Recommendation that £10 grant should not just be for children sent to England for their education but also to the Eton School at Ypres. Number of pupils at the school in Ypres limited to 120. Currently 108 attending. Anticipated that no more than 6 would apply to attend in Ypres.
Report of the first meeting of the Anglo-German-French Mixed Committee
Resolved question of marking German graves in British cemeteries in France. Tablets to be affixed to British cemeteries in Germany stating that they were maintained by the British Commonwealth of Nations.
German war graves in the United Kingdom
Tour by Major Chettle and the German representative to discuss German war graves in the United Kingdom was largely satisfactory with one or two matters to resolve.
St. James’s Cemetery, Liverpool
Agreement reached with the Liverpool Corporation about St. James’s Cemetery.
Discovery and reburial of bodies in France and Belgium
Reported that since 1918 some 50,000 bodies had been found in France and Belgium and there was no sign of reduction in the rate of discovery.
Application for the erection of a tablet at Baghdad
Previous discussion had suggested the installation of a reproduction tablet in the Memorial Church in Baghdad. The widow of Lieut. Charle Stiebel of the Indian Medical Service had offered defray the cost of the tablet. As there were precedents for this, it was accepted.
Montreux Conference
As this conference was still sitting there were nothing definite to report. Lord Stanley had replaced Lord Stanhope, and Lord Stanley’s knowledge of the Commission’s work would ensure the Commission’s interests were met.
Attendees:
Major-General Sir Fabian Ware, K.C.V.O., K.B.E., C.B., C.M.G. (Vice-Chairman. In the Chair)
Lieut.-Colonel A. F. Rawson Lumby, C.I.E., O.B.E. (Representing the Secretary of State for India)
E. Macleod, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for Canada)
F.T. Sprange, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
S.R. Skinner, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for New Zealand)
G.W. Klerck, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for South Africa)
The Hon. Sir Edgar Bowring K.C.M.G. (Representing the Government of Newfoundland)
Admiral Sir Morgan Singer, K.C.B., K.C.V.O.
Also present:
Colonel Sir George W. 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)
Captain H.P.R. Foster
F. Tyrell Esq., M.B.E.
B.S. Conyngham Greene, Esq.
O. Holt, Esq. |