| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Apologies for absence:
Mr. Meyer on behalf of the High Commissioner for South Africa
General Sir James Steele
Sir William Halcrow
Retirement of Mr C. Knowles
Mention of retirement of Mr Knowles, the representative of the High Commissioner for New Zealand on the Commission.
Memorials to the Missing – Pacific Area
Mention of approval of all governments obtained for the memorials to the missing to be constructed in the Commission’s Pacific Area.
Report of the 365th Finance Committee meeting and annual estimates for 1950-1951
Refers to expenditure of the Commission and annual estimates established for the financial year covering 1950-1951.
War graves in civil and cantonment cemeteries in India and Pakistan
Discussion regarding the maintenance of war graves in civil and cantonment cemeteries in India and Pakistan. Resolution from the meeting covers following three points:
(a) That the graves of the 1939/45 War in all civil and cantonment cemeteries in India and Pakistan which have not been selected by the High Commissions for permanent maintenance be concentrated into new cemeteries to be established by the Commission.
(b) That, provided prevailing conditions permit, the graves of the 1939-1945 War situated in tribal territory beyond the administrative boundary be similarly concentrated.
(c) That the graves of the 1914/18 War in the cemeteries referred to in paragraph (a) above be left where they are until the whole question has been further considered by the Governments concerned.
The Chairman’s tour of the Middle East
Comments from the Commission’s Chairman the Rt. Hon. Emanuel Shinwell, M.P. regarding his tour of the Middle East, particularly Tobruk War Cemetery and the physical difficulties faced by the staff there.
Examination of sketch design by Edward Maufe, R.A., Chief Architect and Artistic Adviser, for a Memorial at Golders Green Crematorium, United Kingdom.
Examination of sketch design for the Service Plot at Svino Churchyard, Denmark.
Examination of sketch designs submitted by the Commission’s Anzac Agency for the Port Moresby Memorial, New Guinea, and Rabaul (Bita Paka) War Cemetery and Memorial, New Britain. Includes comments about amending the dedicatory inscriptions as well as a special design for Rabaul to withstand ordinary earth tremors typical of the area.
Surplus income of Endowment Fund (realisation of investment)
Resolution that the Seal of the Commission be affixed to, and the Proper Officer sign, the relative deed of transfer in connection with the sale of £25,000 3 per cent Savings Bonds, 1955/65.
Kingsthorpe Cemetery, Northamptonshire
Resolution for deed of grant for burial rights in the area comprising the Service Plot in Kingsthorpe Cemetery, Northampton.
50th Division Memorial, Wieltje, Belgium
Resolution for the purchase of stock for the maintenance of the 50th Division Memorial, Wieltje, Belgium.
Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, Kent
Resolution for deed of grant for burial rights of 1939-1945 war graves in Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, Kent.
Items of interest
Dedication of the Cross of Sacrifice at Dunfermline (Douglas Bank) Cemetery on 20 November 1949 Visit to Arnhem by Mayor of Hull in October 1949
Ceremony at Trondheim (Stavne) Cemetery on 11 November 1949 to unveil the Cross of Sacrifice
Service of Remembrance on 5 November 1949 at Florence Military Cemetery when the Venerable F.J. Bailey, Archdeacon of Malta was officiated
Laying of wreath by His Excellency the British Ambassador in Prague at the newly completed Cross of Sacrifice in Olsany Military Cemetery on 6 November 1949
Attendance by British Ambassador in Cairo at Remembrance Day ceremony in Cairo War Memorial Cemetery.
Construction work in Norway
Mr A. Macfarlane, Esq. M.C., Deputy Director of Works, outlined the Commission’s constructional work carried out under his supervision in Norway and the plans for further work in 1950.
Date of next meeting scheduled for Thursday 19 January 1950 at 10:30am and plans to show the Commission’s film at the end of proceedings.
ATTENDEES:
The Rt. Hon. Emanuel Shinwell, M.P. (Secretary for State, Chairman)
Admiral Sir Martin Dunbar-Smith, V.C., K.C.B. (Vice-Chairman)
J.P. Sigvaldason, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for Canada)
J.D. McAteer, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
Major-General W.G. Stevens, C.B., C.B.E. (Representing the High Commissioner for New Zealand)
W.B. England, Esq., M.B.E. (Representing the High Commissioner for India)
J.W. Balding, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for Pakistan)
R.C. Cade, Esq. (Representing the Secretary of State for the Colonies)
General Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson, K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore, G.C.B., D.S.O.
Colonel The Rt. Hon. The Lord Wigram, G.C.B., G.C.V.O., C.S.I.
Harold Neal, Esq., M.P.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Herbert Ellissen, C.B.E.
Sir Patrick Spens, K.B.E., K.C.
ADVISERS:
Edward Maufe, Esq., R.A. (Chief Architect and Artistic Adviser)
SECRETARY:
F. Higginson, Esq., C.M.G. (Secretary)
Also in attendance:
F.C. Sillar, Esq., C.B.E. (Principal Assistant Secretary)
W.J. Chalmers, Esq. (Assistant Secretary)
R.W. Bateman (Director of Works)
O.D. Holt, Esq. (Principal, Secretarial Branch)
H.P.R. Foster, Esq., O.B.E. (Legal Assistant)
F. Tyrrell, Esq., M.B.E. (Chief Enquiries Officer)
A. Macfarlane, Esq., M.C. (Deputy Director of Works)
T.F.G. Carless, Esq., M.C. (Senior Records Officer (Historical))
A.S. Laing, Esq. (Private Secretary to the Secretary)
R.W. Murphy, Esq., O.B.E. (Chief Administrative Officer, United Kingdom District) |