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Minutes of the last meeting approved.
Mention a letter was received from Mrs Warren regarding the Commission’s resolution of condolence on the death of her husband.
Announcement of the death of Sir George Perley, acknowledging his work for the Commission and the Government of Canada, with resolution of condolence.
Announcement that a message had been received from Sir Morgan Singer stating that he was now convalescent and expressing his regret that he was unable to be present.
Announcement that Mr Stanley Bruce had been reappointed Commonwealth High Commissioner in London for a further period of five years from October 1938.
Announcement that in the New Year’s Honours, the Medal of the Order of the British Empire for meritorious service had been awarded to Mr John Edward Watson, M.M., Head Gardener and Caretaker in the Ypres Area.
Announcement that General Vincensini was promoted to the rank of Commandeur in the Legion of Honour as a mark of appreciation by the French Government of his work on the Anglo-French Committee and in promoting the Anglo-French-German Agreement.
Refers to messages exchanged between the Commission and the German delegates on the Anglo-German-French Committee at New Year, with an account of these published in the press.
Mentions Annual Dinner of the British Legion at Arras since the last Meeting, attended by some 128 people including the Prefet and a representative of the Mayor.
Reports received from Sir Herbert Hart, including ceremonies held on Armistice Day and an attack made on an omnibus in which Mr Isaac, a member of the Commission’s staff, was returning to Jerusalem. Mr Isaac fortunately escaped injury.
Refers to custom to invite the Adjutant-General to serve among the unofficial members of the Commission. It was agreed the necessary steps would be taken to submit the appointment for approval by the King.
Update on the number of Visitors who had signed the Visitors' Books at the Cemeteries and Memorials in the month of November, which was 2,314. The corresponding figure in 1936 was 3,627.
Update on the Endowment Fund and the Arbitration before the Industrial Court.
Report Of The 269th Meeting Of The Finance Committee
Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee, with reference to Item 6, which contained the Estimates for the coming year, as well as an increased reduction in the estimate of 1938 owing to the present exchange rate in France. Also refers to the inclusion of a sum for the treatment of headstones in cemeteries in the United Kingdom, with discussion on the Commission’s policy for marking and maintaining war graves in the UK.
Items of special maintenance referred to the replacement of the retaining wall at Basra War Cemetery, two Crosses of Sacrifice in Italy which had become unsafe, and the Stone of Remembrance at Suez which was affected by salt.
Discussion on travelling expenses, transport, and salaries and wages.
Also mentions German graves in the UK and the construction of London Cemetery Extension, High Wood, which had been used for concentrations in recent years.
Discovery And Reburial Of Bodies In France And Belgium
Update on recovery of remains, particularly the recent discovery of a small cemetery containing 65 graves, of which all trace had previous been lost, situated a mile north of Neuve-Chapelle and which contained the graves of soldiers of 7th and 8th Divisions. The discovery had been made by a farmer and it was mentioned the casualties dated from March 1915, and the Regiments concerned were the Scottish Rifles, Devons, West Yorks, Middlesex, Worcesters and Gordon Highlanders.
Also refers to the work of metal-searchers in France and Belgium, who were unemployed or partly employed men who in their spare time searched the old battlefields for scrap metal which they sold to contractors. They encountered graves in the course of their work and a small reward was paid to anyone who found, and reported, a British grave.
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.-General Sir Sydney 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., V.O. (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
W.J. Jordan, Esq. (High Commissioner for New Zealand)
A.L. Albright, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for South Africa)
The Hon. Sir Edgar Bowring, K.C.M.G. (Representing the Government of Newfoundland)
The Rt. Hon. Lord Stanley, M.C., M.P.
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. |