| Content Note | Topics covered:
Circulation, approval, and signing of the Minutes of the 259th Meeting.
Apologies for absence received from Sir John Kennedy and Sir William Mitchell.
Review Of Recent Events
Mentions the resolution of sympathy on the death of General de Castelnau had been sent to General Sice, who had now responded.
Update on the question of extending the Anglo-Egyptian War Graves Agreement of 1937 to cover the graves of the present war, and that the wording had been settled with the Egyptian Government and send to the Dominion Governments with request that the British Ambassador in Cairo be permitted to sign on their behalf.
Response to letter written annually by the Vice-Chairman to the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland, which stated that the Assembly had moved that the Vice-Chairman’s letter should be remitted to the Welfare of Youth & Publication Committee, with instructions that it be published in the Free Church Journals.
Reading of extract from a letter from a relative of two civilian war dead in response to the Commission’s letter.
Report of annual American Memorial Day service held at Brookwood on Sunday 28 May and at the new cemetery at Madingley on 30 May.
Report received from Colonel McDougall, recently appointed Inspector for Italy. Also mentions Colonel Buller and Colonel Browne had taken up their duties in East Africa and Tunisia respectively.
Mention that the Canadian authorities had agreed to the promotion of Major Menzies to Lieutenant-Colonel.
Report Of The 304th Meeting Of The Finance Committee
Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee, with reference to the attached Report of the Sub-Committee on the treatment of staff formerly employed by the Commission in France and Belgium and now detained abroad.
Designs For Three Experimental Cemeteries In Egypt, Libya And Tunisia
Discussion regarding designs for three experimental cemeteries at Halfaya Sollum, Tobruk, and Massicault, with comments about existing monuments erected by Australians, Polish and Czechs at Tobruk, the process of preparing working or contract drawings following general approval, and enlistment of contractors and local labour.
Man-Power
Update on this matter, with response received from Sir Alan Barlow concerning the increase of the Commission’s ceiling from 120 to 155.
Brookwood Military Cemetery: Canadian Plots
Mentions that early in the war, the Canadian authorities had decided to concentrate burials in the United Kingdom at Brookwood, with resolution for the purchase of six plots in Brookwood Military Cemetery Extension intended for Canadian war dead of the present war.
Dominion And Colonial Personnel Serving In United Kingdom Units
Discussion regarding three sketches laid before Members, to show how country of origin could be reflected on a headstone for a Dominion or colonial service personnel member serving in a United Kingdom unit.
Invasion Of Occupied France
Mentions that the Vice-Chairman had written to the Army Council with regard to the steps to be taken by the Commission as soon as any of the occupied countries were liberated. Permission was being sought for the Commission to be able to operate in a military area.
Designing Of Cemeteries In Italy
Louis de Soissons had been asked to undertake a visit of Italy to ascertain the probable extent of the Commission’s constructional work in Italy.
Date Of Next Meeting
The next meeting would be held at 11.30 a.m. on Wednesday 19 July 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)
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)
I.T. Meyer Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for South Africa)
D. James Davies Esq., C.B.E. (Representing the Government of Newfoundland)
Sir Samuel Runganadhan (High Commissioner for India)
Lieut.-Colonel S.J. Cole, C.M.G., O.B.E. (Representing the Secretary of State for the Colonies)
J.J. Lawson Esq., M.P.
Admiral Sir Martin Dunbar-Nasmith, V.C., K.C.B., R.N.
General Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson, K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O.
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.
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) |