| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Apologies for absence
General Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson, who was still unable to be present on account of illness.
30th Annual Report
Mention that the Commission’s 30th Annual Report would be published on 4 April 1950.
Graves in Java and Sumatra
Note that the Minister for the Interior agreed to the extension of the Anzac Agency’s area in relation to graves in Java and Sumatra.
Air Force’s Memorial, Cooper’s Hill
Refers to a meeting held on the previous day at 32 Grosvenor Gardens to discuss Edward Maufe’s design for Runnymede Air Forces Memorial with representatives of the Surrey County Council and the Egham Urban District Council.
Australian Resident Minister in London
Note that Mr. E.J. Harrison, Minister for Defence and leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party in Australia, had been appointed Resident Minister for Australia in London and would therefore succeed the late Mr J.A. Beasley as representative of the High Commissioner at future Commission meetings.
Peerage for the Rt. Hon. J.J. Lawson
Note that the King had approved the conferment of a barony on Mr J.J. Lawson, M.P., a Member of the Commission from 1930 to 1947 and, as Secretary of State for War, had been the Chairman during the year 1945-1946.
Visit of the Adjutant-General to South-East Asia, Ceylon and Egypt
Refers to Adjutant-General's recent visit to South-East Asia, Ceylon and Egypt with comments about the excellent condition of the cemeteries in Singapore, Saiwan Bay, Kandy and Tel-el-Kebir.
Visit of the President of the French Republic
Mention the President of the French Republic had laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey on 7 March 1950.
Film lectures by Principal Assistant Secretary
Refers to film lectures delivered by F.C. Sillar, Esq., C.B.E., the Principal Assistant Secretary, to 400 people in French District on 18 February 1950 and to about 250 people in Plymouth, including the Lord Mayor, earlier.
Report of the 368th Finance Committee meeting
Item 8 recommended additional expenditure on repairs to the Indian Memorial at Neuve Chapelle.
Item 14 covered certain customary authorities to the Secretary.
Item 16 referred to negotiations with the Union on the temporary currency allowances and local allowances in the French and North-West European Districts.
Item 19 referred to constructional work in Denmark which was going ahead and was hoped to be completed by the end of the year.
Construction in Germany
Discussion about progress of Commission’s work in Germany; arrangements with the Army for the provision of services such as labour and materials which were obtained through the B.A.O.R.
Examination of sketch design by Philip D. Hepworth, Esq., F.R.I.B.A., Principal Architect for North-West Europe, for Brunssum General Cemetery, Netherlands.
Examination of sketch design by J. Hubert Worthington, Esq., A.R.A., Principal Architect for North Africa, for Suez New War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.
Examination of sketch design by J. Hubert Worthington, Esq., A.R.A., Principal Architect for North Africa, for Suez African and Indian Army War Cemetery, Egypt.
Examination of sketch design by Colin St. Clair Oakes, Esq., F.R.I.B.A., Principal Architect for India, Pakistan and South-East Asia, for Kohima Military Cemetery, India.
Commemoration of Hindus, Sikhs and Gurkhas of the Indian Army who are known to have been cremated outside the Non-Operational Zones of India and Pakistan
Comments on drawings showing Chief Architect and Artistic Adviser Edward Maufe’s design of cremation memorial proposed for the commemoration of Hindus, Sikhs and Gurkhas of the Indian Army who are known to have been cremated outside the Non-Operational Zones of India and Pakistan.
Air Forces Memorial, Cooper’s Hill
Resolution for the conveyance of land at Cooper’s Hill for the Commission’s Runnymede Air Forces Memorial to the Missing.
Items of interest
Inspection of Rangoon Military Cemetery by Colonel Ponsonby
Public Works Department in Tunis undertaking at its own cost to prolong the avenue of eucalyptus trees on the road past Medjez-el-Bab War Cemetery, Tunisia.
Prague (Olsany) Cemetery, Czechoslovakia
Refers to granting of a visa for architectural staff to visit Prague (Olsany) Cemetery, Czechoslovakia.
Date of next meeting scheduled for Thursday 20 April 1950 at 11:00am.
ATTENDEES:
Admiral Sir Martin Dunbar-Smith, V.C., K.C.B. (Vice-Chairman in the Chair)
J.P. Sigvaldason, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for Canada)
F.T. Sprange, Esq. O.B.E. (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
Major-General W.G. Stevens, C.B., C.B.E. (Representing the High Commissioner for New Zealand)
D.V. Serrurier, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for South Africa)
W.B. England, Esq., M.B.E. (Representing the High Commissioner for India)
J.W. Balding, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for Pakistan)
Sir G.F. Seel, Esq., K.C.M.G. (Representing the Secretary of State for the Colonies)
A.B. Moore, Esq. (Representing the Minister of Works)
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.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Herbert Ellissen, C.B.E.
General Sir James S. Steele, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., M.C.
Sir Patrick Spens, K.B.E., K.C., M.P.
ADVISERS:
Sir William Halcrow, M. Inst. C.E. (Consulting Engineer)
Edward Maufe, Esq., R.A. (Chief Architect and Artistic Adviser)
SECRETARY:
F. Higginson, Esq., C.M.G. (Secretary)
Also in attendance:
Brigadier M. Hayaud Din, M.B.E., M.C. (Representing the High Commissioner for Pakistan)
Brigadier Syed Ghawas (Representing the High Commissioner for Pakistan)
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)
W.K.K. Kinnear, Esq., M.B.E. (Chief Records Officer)
R.W. Murphy, Esq., O.B.E. (Chief Administrative Officer, United Kingdom District) |