| Content Note | Topics covered:
Circulation, approval, and signing of the Minutes of the 263rd Meeting, with request for amendment made by Mr MacLeod.
Second Report Of Special Committee Appointed Under Resolution 3 Of The 250th Meeting
Summary of Second Report given by the Chairman of the Special Committee Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson, with changes recommended by the Committee, including the handing-over of the Secretaryship to the Controller.
Reading of letter from the War Office dated 13 December 1944 regarding cooperation between the War Office and the Commission.
Progress Of Inspection Of The Commission’s Cemeteries In Liberated Areas: Steps Towards Resettlement Of Staff Overseas
Mention that an advance party of three officers, consisting of Major Macfarlane, Major Arnott and Captain Grinham, had departed in October 1944 to make preliminary arrangements for resuming the Commission’s work in France and Belgium.
Summary of reports, including that out of 167 of 930 cemeteries, full reports had been received, and of these, 154 were undamaged, 5 required minor repairs and 8 had suffered serious damage. Mentions serious damage caused by fighting in 1940 to the Neuve Chapelle Indian Memorial, the Menin Gate, and the Australian Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux.
Mentions initial difficulties due to lack of transport and plans to dispatch a larger party of staff, including clerks, gardeners and four drivers to reopen the office at Arras.
Review Of Recent Events
Announcement in the Press regarding appointment of Mr G. Heaton Nicholls, Administrator of Natal, as High Commissioner for South Africa in succession to the late Colonel Deneys Reitz.
Announcement that Mr Duncan Sandys had succeeded Lord Portal as Minister of Works, and had therefore become a Member of the Commission.
Announcement of death of Sir Sydney Waterlow, formerly British Minister in Athens and an Honorary Member of the Anglo-Greek Committee for six years until his retirement in 1939.
Mention that Major Menzies, who had been in charge of the Commission’s work in Greece until the German invasion in 1942, had completed preparations for his return there.
Arrangements in place for tour in Middle East by Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson and Colonel Higginson.
Brief summary of visit to Paris by Colonel Chettle and Mr Holt, including meetings with General Lavaud and General Vanier and the reconstitution of the Anglo-French Committee.
Report from Swiss Consul-General in Copenhagen that the British graves of the late war had been recently inspected and were well kept.
Reference to question of placing flagstaffs in certain cemeteries in the United Kingdom, which had been discussed at previous meeting and mention that Sir Arthur Longmore had agreed to preside over a small committee to consider the matter. Two meetings had been held and report would be ready for circulation to the next Commission meeting.
Report Of The 308th Meeting Of The Finance Committee
Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee, with reference to additional allowance to Captain Tyrrell and his appointment as Administrative Assistant.
Proposal to regrade Major Murphy’s salary as recognition of his increased responsibilities as Area Superintendent for the Commission.
Also refers to costs of living in France and the issue of rations for staff.
Erection Of Headstones In The United Kingdom
Discussion regarding intention to mark present war graves in service plots in the United Kingdom to show the Commission was carrying its duties in respect of these graves.
Dominion And Colonial Personnel Serving In United Kingdom Units
Refers to matter which was discussed at several previous meetings and amended proposal of the wording to appear on headstones to signify a service personnel member’s country of origin.
District Inspector’s Office, Salisbury
Resolution that Captain B. Melles, Inspector for South-Western District, be authorised to sign the tenancy agreement in respect of two rooms in the premises of Messrs. Pye-Smith, Hulbert & Kildahl, Solicitors, at No. 14 Rolleston Street, Salisbury, required for use as the Commission’s District office, in place of the room at 10 Rolleston Street.
Banbury Cemetery – Assignment Of Late-War Grave
Resolution for the assignment of the grave of Corporal G. Wassell (died 2 March 1917) to his sister.
Date Of Next Meeting
The next meeting would be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday 16 January 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)
Sir Samuel Runganadhan, High Commissioner for India
Lieut.-Colonel S.J. Cole, C.M.G., O.B.E. (Representing the Secretary for State for the Colonies)
J.J. Lawson Esq., M.P.
General Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson, K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O.
Admiral Sir Martin Dunbar-Nasmith, V.C., K.C.B.
Colonel Sir John Shute, C.M.G., D.S.O., J.P., M.P.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore, G.C.B., D.S.O., D.L.
There were also present:
Lieut.-Colonel Sir Frederic Kenyon, G.B.E., K.C.B.
Brigadier J.K. McNair, C.B.E. (Director or Graves Registration and Enquiries, War Office)
Lieut.-Colonel Sir Herbert Ellissen, C.B.E. (Adviser on Post-War Organisation and Reconstruction)
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 |