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Minutes of the last meeting approved.
Announcement of the death of Sir George Badgerow. Colonel Oswald attended the funeral and a wreath had been sent from the Commission.
Announcement of the death of Mr J.E. Talbot, Principal Assistant Secretary prior to the appointment of Lord Arthur Brown. The Vice-Chairman, along with Major Chettle and Mr Sillar, attended the Memorial Service.
Announcement that in the recent Honours List a C.M.G. had been awarded to Colonel Higginson, their Chief Administrative Officer in France.
Mentions that a letter had been received from the Commission's South African Agency to the effect that Colonel C. Brink, D.T.D.,D.S.O., had vacated the position of Quartermaster-General, Union Defence Forces, and that consequently he had ceased to be a member of the Commission's South African Agency. Colonel F.R. Theron, the new Quartermaster-General, became a member of the Agency ex officio.
Refers to a message from Sir Herbert Hart regarding a party of Australian pilgrims that had arrived in Jerusalem to visit the British cemetery and to lay wreaths on the Cross of Sacrifice and the Australian Memorial.
Letter received from the Chairman of the Cemetery Committee in Cairo to express thanks for the recent donation of £20 sanctioned by the Commission to the British Protestant Cemetery.
Mentions that on Anzac Day a ceremony was held in the Australian Plot at Harefield Churchyard, attended by some 2,000 people, when flowers were laid on the graves of every Australian soldier. The Commission was represented by Colonel Robinson.
Announcement that Mr Sillar had recently paid a visit to Northern Ireland and exhibited the film on the Commission's work in France and Belgium to large audiences at Belfast and Londonderry.
Report of numerous cemeteries in France, Belgium and Germany since the last Commission meeting, including a visit by a party of members of the Yorkshire Branch of the British Legion to Cologne Southern Cemetery, where they were accompanied by German ex-servicemen in laying wreaths at the Stone of Remembrance.
Mentions that the Reverend G. R. Milner had conducted a service at the Ploegsteert Memorial, attended by some 40 members of the British Legion associated with the Royal Berkshire Regiment.
Announcement that a telegram had been received to the effect that the Agreement between the Egyptian Government and the Governments represented on the Commission was signed on the 2nd June in Cairo.
Announcement with regard to the Appeal for funds to safeguard the surroundings of the British War Cemetery at Jerusalem, it was finally agreed to issue this Appeal in the Press on May 19th.
Refers to report of Coronation ceremonies at Arras and Ypres received from Colonel Higginson.
Mentions the Australian Coronation Contingent, on their way back to Australia, had paid a visit to a number of cemeteries in Belgium and France, accompanied by Captain Murphy. General Sir Harry Chauvel had visited the site of the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, where he was met by Colonel Robinson and Colonel Higginson, who were able to explain the situation to him in detail.
On Empire Day members of the local sections of the British Legion visited Orpington Churchyard and held a ceremony in the Canadian Plot.
On the 31st May, the anniversary of the Battle of Jutland, a service was held in Dalmeny and Queensferry Cemetery by the British Legion to commemorate 1,200 sailors who fell at the Battle of Jutland and many of whom were buried in this Cemetery. Two thousand persons attended the service. The Commission was represented by Captain McIndoe.
On the same day, a ceremony was held at Brookwood American Cemetery to commemorate American Memorial Day; Captain Murphy represented the Commission.
Update on the number of visitors signing the Visitors' Books at the Cemeteries and Memorials in France and Belgium during the month of April, which was 4,478. The corresponding figure for last year was 6,812.
Announcement that the Minutes of the 2nd Meeting of the Iraq Committee held in Baghdad in March had been received.
Announcement that Mr H.J.R. Murray had found it necessary, on medical grounds, to resign membership of the Education Committee.
Update on the Report on the Commission’s work laid before the Imperial Conference, including discussion about printing and publication of the Report.
Report Of The 262nd Meeting Of The Finance Committee
Adoption of the Report, with reference to the item concerning the franc exchange and the payment of the gardener-caretakers abroad, noting the meeting of gardeners at Cambrai and the press coverage. A transcript of letter from E.J.S. Hall appears in the Minutes of the Meeting.
Also refers to Item 4, the measures in contemplation for the improvement of Zehrensdorf Indian Cemetery near Berlin.
Report Of The 28th Meeting Of The Staff Committee
Refers to the question of one of the gardener-caretakers named Gregory who had refused to move from one post to another. He had now been told that unless he arranged to obey instructions within a specified time he would be dismissed. Followed by resolution for the adoption of the Staff Committee’s report.
Report Of The 13th Meeting Of The Education Committee
Resolution for the adoption of the Education Committee’s report, with reference to Item 7, which referred to the circular inviting applications for education grants for the ensuing year.
2nd Meeting Of The Anglo-German-French Mixed Committee
Report of proceedings, including the question of purchasing a new site at Potters Bar, where the crews of two Zeppelin airships were buried, and that of erecting headstones on certain German graves in the United Kingdom. Other matters discussed concerned German graves in Palestine and the possible establishment of a Mixed Committee office in Berlin.
Resolution for the adoption of the Mixed Committee’s Report.
46th Divisional Memorial, Gommecourt
The Vice-Chairman said he was not satisfied with the position set out in the paper and after a brief discussion it was agreed to postpone the matter.
Anglo-Palestine Committee – Appointment Of Secretary
Resolution for the appointment of Sir Herbert Hart as Secretary to the Anglo-Palestine War Cemeteries Executive Committee.
Discovery And Reburial Of Bodies In France And Belgium
Update on the recovery of remains, namely that the figures before the meeting were less than in the corresponding period of 1936, but greater than in the corresponding period in 1935. The figures varied, but the average had not fallen in the last few years.
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 Lumby, C.I.E., O.B.E. (Representing the Secretary of State for India)
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.A. Jenkin, Esq., (Representing the High Commissioner for South Africa)
J.J. Lawson, Esq., M.P.
There were also present:
Lieut.-Colonel C.P. Oswald, C.M.G., O.B.E. (Controller and 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)
F.C. Sillar, Esq.
F. Tyrrell, Esq., M.B.E.
B.S. Conyngham Greene Esq.
O. Holt, Esq. |