| Content Note | Topics covered:
Circulation, approval and signing of the minutes of 278th Meeting.
Apologies for absence received from the High Commissioner for India, the Adjutant-General, and Sir William Halcrow.
The Vice-Chairman hoped that Sir Richard Hopkins, the new Commissioner designate, would be able to attend the meeting. Mention that Colonel Cole had recovered from his illness.
Announcement of the death of the Hon. G. Howard Ferguson, who as Canadian High Commissioner in London from 1931 to 1935, was a Member of the Commission. He was also a member of the Finance Committee from 1932 to 1935.
Review Of Recent Events
Report of tour at the beginning of February undertaken by Colonel Obbard, accompanied by Major Oakes (Architect for India and Burma) and Major Macfarlane, covering Bengal, Assam, the Burma-Siam Railway, Singapore and Ceylon. They had visited 40 cemeteries, 25 of which would be permanent.
Mention that a Canadian Chaplain had taken back from France to Canada the ashes of an unknown Canadian soldier and had deposited them in his own church.
Four cemeteries in Normandy were handed over to the Commission at the end of February: Cambes British Cemetery; Juaye-Mondaye (Jerusalem) British Cemetery; Ryes British Cemetery; and Douvres (La Delivrande) British Cemetery.
On 4 March, Adegem Canadian Cemetery was handed over to the Commission, this and the others aforementioned being the first cemeteries of the 1939-1945 War in France and Belgium of which the Commission had assumed control.
In November, the Mayor of La Ferte-sous-Jouarre wrote to the British Embassy in-Paris to enquire whether the Commission would agree to thinning out the plantation of trees which adjoins the Memorial to the Missing a La Ferte.
Mention of delay in obtaining printed copies of the report of the proceedings at the conference of the National Association of Cemetery and Crematorium Superintendents.
Anzac Agency In The Pacific
Refers to decision passed in January 1945 regarding the establishment of an agency in the Pacific with summary of discussions which had taken place since then and resolution setting out the proposed appointment of an Agency of the Commission in the Pacific Area.
Report Of The 323rd Meeting of the Finance Committee
Adoption of the Finance Committee’s report, including reference to:
Item 8, which concerned the question of remuneration in the Central European District.
An unspecified Item, referring to the redecoration of 32 Grosvenor Gardens.
An unspecified item, which was the estimate of expenditure for the Anzac Agency.
Financial Authority To The Vice-Chairman
Resolution confirming the financial authority empowering the Vice-Chairman annually to authorise minor items of expenditure and staff adjustments within the approved estimate for the financial year, such authorities being reported to the Finance Committee.
Twenty-Sixth Annual Report Of The Commission
Mentions that the draft Report had been circulated and that it would be published on April 16, with a few questions and comments from Members, including copies of the report for sale, shortage of paper, and the publicising of the Report.
Headstones For Unidentified Officers And Men
Discussion regarding inscription to be used for the headstones of unidentified officers and men killed during the Second World War.
Naval Memorials
Update on meeting of Admiralty representatives under the Chairmanship of Admiral Sir Martin Dunbar-Nasmith to discuss the possibility of adapting the present Port Memorials at Chatham, Portsmouth, and Plymouth to commemorate the missing of the Second World War naval dead. Also refers to proposed memorials at Lowestoft, Lee-on-Solent, and Liverpool.
Superannuation Scheme – Assignment Of Commission’s Policy To Robert Bird
Resolution that the Seal of the Commission be affixed, to, and, the Proper Officer sign, the deed of assignment to Travelling Superintendent Gardener Robert Bird of Policy No. 715184 with the Australian Mutual Provident Society, being the Commission's policy effected in relation to the said R. Bird under the Superannuation Scheme.
Taking Over Cemeteries From The Army
Discussion regarding the handover of cemeteries in different parts of the world, particularly with regards to the Far East and India, noting numbers of permanent cemeteries estimated to be established.
Date Of Next Meeting
The next meeting would take place at 11 o’clock on Wednesday 17 April 1946.
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)
Colonel E.H. Jones, D.C.M., E.D., (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)
J.L. Murphy, Esq., O.B.E. (Representing the Government of Newfoundland)
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.O., 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.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore, G.C.B., D.S.O.
Colonel the Lord Wigram, G.C.B., G.G.V.O., C.S.I.
There were also present:
The Rt.Hon. Sir Richard V.N. Hopkins, G.C.B.
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)
Brigadier J.K. McNair, C.B.E. (Director of Graves Registration and Enquiries, War Office)
Lieut.-Colonel A.E. Brown (Director of War Graves Services, Australia)
Brigadier F. Higginson, C.M.G. (Controller)
Lieut.-Colonel H.E. Chettle, C.M.G., O.B.E. (Assistant Secretary, Records)
R.C. Sillar, Esq. (Assistant Secretary, Finance)
Captain H.P.R. Foster (Legal Assistant)
Major F. Tyrrell, M.B.E.
Captain O.D. Holt |