| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Letter received from the King’s Private Secretary reporting on the King’s recent visit to the Dardanelles (full text of the letter appears in the minutes). Agreement that the Commission should reply. Money collected from among Commission staff to be forwarded to the Lord Mayor of London’s Appeal for King George’s National Memorial Fund.
Vice-Chairman reported on first joint visit to France with members of the Anglo-German-French Committee. Messrs. Klerck and Lawson had also visited France, and this would be reported on at the next meeting. Other visits to France to attend the annual ceremony at Mont-St. Quentin (2nd Australian Divisional Memorial) and to the Quai D’Orsay to discuss transfer of battle memorial sites to the French State.
French Mayor’s Tribute To British War Graves Keeper
Death of a Commission gardener, Mr Richard Edward Allen (who lived in Hermies) was reported, including entry from local paper.
Further reports covered visit of Bulgarian Military Attaché in Greece to Lembet Road Cemetery; confirmation no serious trouble at the cemeteries in Palestine; a number of ceremonies in France and Belgium too numerous to cover individually.
Report of the Special Meeting and 255th meeting of the Finance Committee
Special meeting called to authorise contract for the building of the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial. Fall in value of French Franc meant considerable savings should be made, but clause covered case of rise in wages due to increase in local cost of living. Fall in value of French Franc could save approximately £23,000 during the year for all expenditure. Report of meeting adopted.
24th Meeting of the Staff Committee
Main matter of interest was the case of Thomas Isaac Cox. Messrs. Lawson and Klerck to interview Messrs. Macfarlane, Gill and Piper. Report adopted.
Death of Sir Brodie Henderson
Refers to the death of Sir Brodie Henderson who was Honorary Consulting Engineer to the Commission. Note of regret noted and to be transmitted to his family. Sir George Humphreys, past President of the Institute of Civil Engineers to be approached as a replacement.
Proposed Turkish and Egyptian Agreements
Mentions these were to be reported on at a later meeting.
Charlton Cemetery, Dover
Request from family of Gunner W. Pascall to remove a Commission headstone in Charlton Cemetery, Dover to be replaced by a private one. Communications with the family had failed to alter their view. Legal position in order. Existing stone to be broken up and removed.
Discovery And Reburial Of Bodies In France And Belgium
Refers to paper before the meeting, that the period of the year was approaching when there would probably be an increase in the number of bodies found.
Attendees:
Major-General Sir Fabian Ware, K.C.V.O., K.B.E., C.B., C.M.G., LL.D. (Vice-Chairman, in the Chair)
Lieut.-Colonel A. F. Rawson Lunby, C.I.E, O.B.E. (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)
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.
General Sir Harry Knox, K.C.B, D.S.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)
F. C. Sillar, Esq.
F. Tyrrell, Esq., M.B.E.
B. S. Conyngham Greene, Esq. |