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Following an announcement that Sir Fabian Ware was unable to attend due to illness, the decision to elect a Chair was taken and General Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson took the chair.
Circulation, approval, and signing of the Minutes of 253rd Meeting.
Review Of Recent Events
Announcement in the press of the Duke of Gloucester's appointment as Governor-General of Australia.
Refers to two letters which had been received from Sir Alan Lascelles and Sir Godfrey Thomas regarding the Report which the Commission had received from Count Memmo on the care of British War Graves and Memorials in Italy.
Captain P.E. Vesper, the Commission's District Inspector for Northern Ireland, had recently paid one of his periodical visits to Eire, with discussion about progress of work in Ireland.
The Director of Personal Services at the Air Ministry had sent the Vice-Chairman a number of Reports from R.A.F. Commands overseas on the care of R.A.F. graves.
One of the Commission’s pupil-gardeners in Belgium, A.C.1 Alphonse Egan, had been reported missing, presumed killed, as a result of enemy action at sea on 5th July 1941. A letter of sympathy was sent to his relatives.
The Chairman said he would be writing to Sir Fabian Ware regarding his illness and wishing for his recovery on behalf of the Members.
Annual Report Of The Commission For The Year 1942-1943
Update on the Annual Report that proofs of the Report had been circulated and it was hoped that proofs of the Introduction would be available before the end of the Meeting. Discussion about enquiries received from relatives and circulation of the Annual Report.
Man-Power
Refers to previous discussions, which saw a Committee appointed to examine the Commission's staffing needs' relation to the arrears of work which had accumulated. Update on the work of the Committee and discussions with the Treasury.
Authority For The Use Of The Commission’s Seal – Australian Memorials 1914-1921
Resolution that the Seal of the Commission be affixed to, and the Proper Officer sign, the Stock transfer relating to the purchase by the Commission of £388. 1. 1d. 2 ½ % National War Bonds, 1946/48, purchased at the request of the Australian Government out of surplus Income from the Stock held for the maintenance of the Australian Memorials of the late war.
Horticultural Maintenance In The United Kingdom
Discussion over treatment of horticulture in the United Kingdom, namely that flowers should be planted on the graves and, secondly, that the graves should laid out and tended in a certain way.
Refers to opening of Brookwood R.A.F. cemetery (plot) in 1940, followed by set-up of five R.A.F. Regional Cemeteries.
Last Post At Brookwood Military Cemetery
Refers to request for approval for the sounding of the Last Post at Brookwood Military Cemetery.
Civilian War Dead
Update on the commemoration of Civilian War Dead, namely that the bound volumes of lists of Civilian War Dead had been placed in the charge of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster in December 1942, and it had been agreed subsequently that a cabinet should be made to contain them.
The next meeting would be held on Wednesday 19 January 1944 at 11.30 a.m.
Attendees:
General Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson, K.C.B., C.M,G., D.S.O., 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)
C. Knowles, Esq., C.B.E. (Representing the High Commissioner for New Zealand)
Sir Samuel Runganadhan (High Commissioner for India)
Colonel C.E.T. Erskine, C.I.E., D.S.O., M.C. (Representing the Secretary of State for India)
Lieut.-Colonel S.J. Cole, C.M.G., O.B.E. (Representing the Secretary of State for the Colonies)
D. James Davies, Esq. (Representing the Government of Newfoundland)
J.J. Lawson, Esq., M.P.
Major-General Sir John Kennedy, K.B.E., C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O.
Air Chief Marshal Sir William Mitchell, K.C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C., A.F.C.
Admiral Sir Martin Dunbar-Nasmith, V.C., K.C.B.
Colonel Sir John Shute, C.M.G., D.S.O., J.P., M.P.
There were also present:
Lieut.-Colonel Sir Frederic Kenyon, G.B.E., K.C.B., T.D., D.Litt.
Lieut.-Colonel Sir Herbert Ellissen, C.B.E. (Adviser on Post-War Organisation and Reconstruction)
Colonel S.G.G. Fraser, M.C. (A.A.G., D.G.R.& E.)
Lieut.-Colonel F. Higginson, C.M.G. (Controller and Director of Works)
Lieut.-Colonel H.F. Chettle, C.M.G., O.B.E. (Director of Records)
F.C. Sillar, Esq. (Assistant Secretary, Finance)
Major R.W. Murphy, M.B.E.
Captain F. Tyrrell, M.B.E.
Lieut. O.D. Holt |