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Sir George Macdonogh took the Chair and expressed the Vice-Chairman’s regret that he could not be present owing to an indisposition.
Minutes of the last meeting approved.
Update on events which occurred since the last Meeting:
Report of ceremony at Doullens on the occasion of commemorating the Conference of the 26th March 1918; the speeches by General Weygand and others were broadcast in France, and the Commission were represented by their Horticultural Officer, Mr A.B. Melles, who laid a wreath at the Memorial, while wreaths were placed by the French in the two British Extensions of Doullens Communal Cemetery.
Lord Baldwin had given a series of lectures in Canada during April, and at Toronto University he had repeated the words he used to the Canadian Pilgrims in Westminster Hall nearly three years ago in reference to the first meeting of the Anglo-German-French Committee.
On St. George's Day, the Bishop of Fulham had preached at a service held in St. George's Church, Ypres, and Sir Fabian Ware had read the lesson. The service was broadcast to the Empire, and, at its conclusion, a party of O.T.C. Cadets had laid a wreath at the Menin Gate.
A wooden cross from the grave of an unknown British soldier had been dedicated and ceremonially placed in Chartham Church on St. George's Day.
The annual service in connection with Anzac Day had been conducted in Colchester Cemetery.
Mr Sillar had exhibited the film of the Commission's work to the Lymington Branch of the British Legion.
A meeting of the Anglo-German-French Committee would be held in the following week, with summary of ceremonies and events taking place in connection with the meeting.
Update on the number of visitors signing the Visitors' Books at the Cemeteries and Memorials in France and Belgium during March, which was 1,209 as against 2,120 in the previous year.
Brief summary of Admiral Sir Howard Kelly’s visit to cemeteries in France and Belgium, referring to meeting pupil gardeners and the sounding of the Last Post at the Menin Gate.
Report Of The 281st Meeting Of The Finance Committee
Comment from Colonel Oswald that after some difficulty suitable slate had been round for headstones for the cemeteries in Egypt, and that a very satisfactory contract had been placed with W.H. Endean & Sons.
Report Of The Special Committee On The Imperial War Graves Commission Superannuation Scheme
Discussion on the report of the Special Committee On The Imperial War Graves Commission Superannuation Scheme referring to the scheme for the amendment of wages staff.
Adoption of the Report following discussion.
Report Of The Anglo-Egyptian War Cemeteries Committee
Resolution that Air Vice-Marshal Sir William G.S. Mitchell, K.C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C., A.F.C., be appointed an Official Member of the Anglo-Egyptian War Cemeteries Committee, vice Air Vice-Marshal H.R. Nicholl, C.B., C.B.E., resigned.
Emergency Measures
Discussion and outlining of proposed measures in event of a war, including that the Vice-Chairman should be authorised and directed to ensure that the work of the Commission should be carried on, so far as it might be possible to do so, during any state of emergency that might arise in the future, and that the powers granted to him by the Resolution of the 219th (Special) Meeting should become operative in the event of any such emergency.
Also refers to fifteen members of the Commission’s gardening staff who were Reservists and who would probably be called up very shortly for training even if war did not break out.
Exhumations And Reburials In France And Belgium
Update that the number of discoveries in the short period concerned was 55 in 1938 and 100 during the present year.
Attendees:
Lieut.-General Sir George Macdonogh, G.B.E., K.C.B., K.C.M.G. (In The Chair)
Colonel C.E.T. Erskine, C.I.E., D.S.O., M.C. (Representing the Secretary of State for India)
E. MacLeod, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for Canada)
V.C. Duffy, Esq., M.V.O. (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
W.G. Parminter, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for South Africa)
The Hon. Sir Edgar Bowring, K.C.M.G. (Representing the Government of Newfoundland)
Admiral Sir Howard Kelly, G.B.E., K.C.B., C.M.G., M.V.O.
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 F. Higginson, C.M.G. (Director of Works)
F.C. Sillar, Esq.
F. Tyrrell, Esq., M.B.E.
O.D. Holt, Esq. |