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Circulation, approval, and signing of the Minutes of the 254th Meeting, with alteration requested by Mr Davies.
Sir Edwin Lutyens
Tribute to the late Sir Edwin Lutyens, O.M., K.C.I.E., P.R.A., one of the Principal Architects from 1918 to 1930, and since 1930, the Commission’s Honorary Consulting Architect.
Review Of Recent Events
Colonel Fraser, the Assistant Adjutant General in the War Office Directorate, had left for North Africa to look into the Army side of the work.
The first sounding of the “Last Post” at Brookwood Military Cemetery took place on Sunday 2 January 1944, when Colonel Higginson represented the Commission.
A statement, dated the 4th November 1943, had been received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Vichy through Swiss Diplomatic authorities and the Foreign Office.
A letter had been received from a firm of Solicitors, Messrs. Christopher & North, stating that by her will a Mrs Stuart had left the Commission a legacy of £200, free of legacy duty, in memory of her son, Captain A.H.R. MacKay, who had been killed in the last war.
The Vice-Chairman had been in touch with Mrs Lyell, the mother of the, late Lord Lyell, V.C., and had found her a strong supporter of the Commission's work.
Mention that difficulty had been found in getting a full attendance of Commissioners at meetings in the morning and, after some discussion it was agreed that a convenient time would be 3 o’clock tn the afternoon.
Report from Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson following his visit to Wooburn House had been submitted to the Treasury Representative on the Commission’s Finance Committee.
Report Of The 299th Meeting Of The Finance Committee: Annual Estimates For 1944-45, Including Provision For Construction In North Africa
Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee, with discussion about proposed expenditure and annual estimates for 1944-1945 and the provision of construction of cemeteries in North Africa for the Second World War.
Appointment Of A Principal Architect For The War Cemeteries In The United Kingdom
Resolution for the appointment of Edward Maufe as the Commission’s Principal Architect for the United Kingdom.
Financial Authority To The Vice-Chairman
Resolution granting financial authority to the Vice-Chairman for approving minor items of expenditure subject to subsequent report to the Finance Committee.
Annual Report Of The Commission – Distribution Of Presentation Copies
Discussion regarding the distribution of presentation copies of the Commission’s Annual Report, including the Armed Forces, the Roman Catholic Church, and organisations such as the YMCA and the Salvation Army.
Negotiations With Allied Representatives - 6th Report
Brief comment on the report presented to the Members regarding negotiations with Allied representatives.
Maintenance Of War Graves – United Kingdom
Comment from the Vice-Chairman that he hoped that members would have time to read this interesting Report.
Brookwood Military Cemetery Extension: Purchase Of Further American Plot
Resolution for the purchase of further land for American burials at Brookwood Military Cemetery.
Memorials
Reference to memorandum from Colonel Chettle which had been circulated and concerned national and battle memorials. Refers to two committees which had been set up at the end of the First World War to consider the national aspect of the question: the first, under the Chairmanship of Lord Midleton, had been appointed by the Government in 1919 and the second, by the Cabinet, in 1921 to advise the Commission. Also refers to the tablets placed in cathedrals in France and Belgium and the Battle Exploit Memorials Committee.
The next meeting would be held at 3 p.m. on 16 February 1944.
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)
F.T. Sprange Esq., O.B.E. (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
C. Knowles Esq., C.B.E. (Representing the High Commissioner for New Zealand)
I.T. Meyer Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for South Africa)
D. James Davies Esq., C.B.E. (Representing the Government of Newfoundland)
Colonel C.B.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)
General Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson, K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O
There were also present:
Lieut.-Colonel Sir Herbert Ellissen, C.B.E. (Adviser on Post-War Organisation and Reconstruction)
Major the Earl of Courtown, O.B.E. (D.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)
Captain F. Tyrrell, M.B.E.
Lieut. O.D. Holt |