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Agreement that Sir George Macdonogh take the Chair; Sir Fabian Ware was still in Egypt where he was busily engaged on work connected with the new Anglo-Egyptian Agreement and with other matters in which the Commission were concerned.
Minutes of the last meeting approved.
Accession of His Majesty King George VI
Announcement that, since the last meeting, His Majesty King George VI had ascended the Throne. A resolution of loyalty had been submitted to His Majesty. Formal approval of resolution was made. Also mentions His Majesty was no longer President of the Commission and was taking steps to appoint his successor.
Announcement of the death of General von Seeckt, an Honorary Member of the Anglo-General-French Mixed Committee. A wreath had been sent on the Commission’s behalf to the funeral and personal messages of sympathy to Frau von Seeckt.
At Christmas time messages were sent to General Vincensini, Colonel Michelet and General Ugo Cei, from whom cordial replies had been received.
Refers to report from Sir Herbert Hart stating that a number of headstones in Suez War Memorial Cemetery had been maliciously damaged.
Refers to report from Captain Marais which stated the Commission's exhibit at the Johannesburg Exhibition had attracted a great deal of attention and more than 10,000 people had already visited it. Photographs were passed around the Meeting.
Refers to reports received from the Women’s Section of the British Legion of their various activities on Armistice Day.
Update on the number of visitors signing the Visitors' Books at the cemeteries and memorials during the month of November, which was 3,627. The corresponding figure for the previous year was 1,769.
Update on the position regarding the Endowment Fund, noting the accounts had now been audited by Messrs. Deloitte, Plender, Griffiths & Co., up to 31 March 1936 and they showed an accumulated sum of £3,293,902. 14s. 9d.
Report Of The 258th Meeting Of The Finance Committee
Resolution for the adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee, with reference to:
Item 6, which dealt with the question of issuing loans to members of the staff-in France and Belgium in cases of acute distress.
Item 9, which referred to the Estimates for the coming year, mentioning costs for constructional work on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial during 1937. Also discusses impact of the United Kingdom going off the gold standard and the effects of this and the devaluation of the French franc.
Also refers to protests received from staff regarding cessation of exchange relief and the possibility of an increase in the cost of constructional and repair work owing to new rules and regulations introduced by the present French Government, particularly in connection with the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.
Refers to increase of numbers of staff in France and Belgium from 594 to 601, owing to the appointment of some of the sons of Commission staff as pupils and assistant gardeners.
Mentions increase in costs of transport.
Refers to costs of erection of German headstones in British cemeteries in France, costs of reconstruction at Stahnsdorf cemetery, Berlin, and also the work on the Screen Wall at Basra War Cemetery.
Mentions refund made by the Indian Government who had not found it necessary to spend all the money that had been remitted to them under agreement during the period from the 1st November 1929 to the 1st October 1934.
Outlines total number of personnel of the Commission which was 585 permanent staff and 87 temporary staff, referring to recommendations for transferring some temporary staff to the permanent staff.
Committee For Enquiring Into The Cost Of Living In France And Belgium
Resolution that the Staff Committee be requested to consider the cost of living in France and Belgium and to communicate its conclusions before 2 February to the Finance Committee.
Anglo-German-French Mixed Committee
Resolution for the appointment of Herr von Ribbentrop as an Honorary Member of the Commission’s Anglo-German-French Mixed Committee, in succession to the late Herr von Hoesch.
Discovery And Reburial Of Bodies In France And Belgium
Update on the recovery of remains, namely in the five weeks under review 97 bodies had been found as compared with 129 in the corresponding period in 1935 and 132 in 1934.
Attendees:
Lieut.-General Sir George Macdonogh, G.B.E., K.C.B., K.C.M.G. (In the Chair)
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. 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.
There were 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.
O. Holt, Esq. |