Content Note | Topics covered:
Minutes of the last meeting approved.
Announcement of the death of Sir Granville Ryrie, former High Commissioner for Australia in London.
Announcement of the death of Dr Foxley Norris, the Dean of Westminster, who was largely responsible for the development of the Warrior’s Chapel in Westminster Abbey.
Welcome to General Muspratt, who had now returned to duty at the India Office.
Refers to reports of visits to cemeteries abroad, including one of a party of 170 members of the Institute of Journalists, which visited Ypres and the President of the Institute laid a wreath at the Menin Gate.
Report of ceremony at the 2nd Australian Divisional Memorial at Mont St. Quentin. Mr Burkey placed wreaths on behalf of the Australian High Commissioner in London during the ceremony.
Numerous ceremonies held in France and Belgium, including at Louverval Military Cemetery where ashes from the crosses at the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey were scattered over the graves.
Update on the number of visitors signing the Visitors’ Books during the month of August, which was 20,387 at memorials and 23,392 at cemeteries. It appeared 8,700 of those who signed at memorials were British and between 14,000 and 15,000 of those who signed at the cemeteries.
Mention that a report would be sent by Mr Lawson regarding his visit to cemeteries in Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Gallipoli, and Macedonia.
Announcement of the publication of the Immortal Heritage on 1 October.
Update and discussion on the question of obtaining full powers to sign the agreement with the French Government on the transfer of memorial sites.
Report Of The 266th Meeting Of The Finance Committee Resolution for the adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee, with reference to: Item 7, which dealt with the appointment of certain members of the Commission’s staff in France to the permanent staff, all employed in the Transport Department. Item 5, which dealt with placing of a large order for headstones which had arisen due to the discovery of several bodies since the end of the First World War, with proportion of identifications being 10% and identity established by discs, equipment, or personal effects. Item 8, which dealt with the question of wages of gardening staff in France and Belgium.
Report Of The Fourth Meeting Of The Anglo-Italian Mixed Committee Mentions account of proceedings and that the Italian Government had chosen Marshal Caviglia as their chief representative. Marshal Caviglia’s first official act was to go with Lord Cavan to the Cenotaph and lay wreaths there. Resolution for the adoption of the Mixed Committee’s report.
Appointment Of The Anglo-Egyptian War Cemeteries Committee Resolution for the appointment of the Anglo-Egyptian War Cemeteries Committee as the Commission’s Agency in Egypt, and also for the appointment of the Commission’s Chief Administrative Officer in Eastern District, Brigadier-General Sir Herbert Hart as Secretary of the Committee.
Appointment Of New Member To The Anglo-Belgian Mixed Committee Resolution for the appointment of Sir Robert Clive, who succeeded Sir Esmond Ovey as British Ambassador in Brussels.
Efford Cemetery, Plymouth Resolution to enable the Commission to purchase the grave of Able Seamen D. Critchley, R.N., in Efford Cemetery, Plymouth.
Superannuation Scheme – Assignment Of Policy Resolution for the assignment of the Commission’s policy under the Superannuation Scheme to Gardener-Caretaker Walter Reginald Claude Brown.
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) The Rt. Hon. Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, K.G. Lieut.-General Sir S.F. Muspratt, K.C.B., C.S.I., C.I.E., D.S.O. (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) The Hon. W.J. Jordan (High Commissioner for New Zealand) A.L. Albright, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for South Africa) General Sir Harry Knox, K.C.B., D.S.O.
There were also present: Lieut.-Colonel C.P. Oswald, C.M.G., O.B.E. (Controller and 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. |