| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Apologies for absence
Sir Richard Hopkins
Sir William Halcrow.
Inscriptions on Canadian headstones
Mention that list of the names of the regiments in the Canadian Infantry and Armoured Corps had been submitted to the Canadian Government to request their agreement for the abbreviated titles to be inscribed on headstones.
Ambon War Cemetery
Mention that Brigadier Brown, in his last report, had said that after all the British caretaker had not left Ambon with other Europeans at the outbreak of the revolt there.
Proposed memorial to the Royal Naval Patrol Service (1939-1945) at Lowestoft
Refers to a public exhibition in the Committee Room of the designs of the proposed Memorial to the Royal Naval Patrol Service (1939-1945) at Lowestoft.
Proposed visit by the Secretary Frank Higginson to Canada, Australia, New Zealand
Refers to Mr Higginson’s visit to Canada where he would show the Commission’s film to audiences.
Haugesund (Fossebo) Churchyard, Norway
Mention that the Town Council of Haugesund had generously undertaken to bear the expense of laying out the War Plot in Haugesund (Rossebo) Churchyard, Norway, and to accept responsibility for its future maintenance.
Concentration scheme – India and Pakistan
Mention of concentration scheme involving four new concentration cemeteries in India and Pakistan.
Transfer of control of ·the war cemeteries in Indonesia from South-East Asia District to Anzac Agency Refers to decision to transfer control of war cemeteries specifically the graves contained in British Commonwealth sections forming parts of the Dutch Fields of Honour at Palembang, Djakarta, Menteng Pulo and Sourabaya.
Graves of Palestinian Jewish casualties in Commission cemeteries
Brief mention on discussions that had taken place regarding the desire to repatriate the remains of Palestinian Jews who had served in British forces to Palestine.
Report of the 372nd Finance Committee meeting
Item 3 dealt with the limit of the amount which in consultation with the Treasury Representative on the Finance Committee could be authorised during the Summer recess. Also refers to provision made for construction of Taiping, Kasterlee and Villanova Cemeteries; a contract for the supply of 100 Crosses of Sacrifice; construction of two Caretaker’s quarters in South-East Asia District and for sundry other items.
Item 14 referred to authority for the expenditure of £1,000 to cover cost of employing outside quantity surveying firms.
Item 16 dealt with tenders for granite headstones in Scotland.
Item 17 covered the question of major maintenance of 1914-1918 cemeteries and memorials in the French District.
Report of the Special Meeting of the Finance Committee held on Wednesday 19 July 1950
Discusses major maintenance in French District, particularly with regards to damage sustained during the Second World War at sites such as Villers-Bretonneux where there were chips and scars caused by rifle and gunfire.
Plymouth Naval Memorial
Edward Maufe’s explanation of his designs for the Plymouth Naval Memorial 1939-1945 Extension, including the representation of the four figures for the Sailors, the Marines and the Maritime Regiment.
Examination of sketch designs for cemetery construction by Louis de Soissons, Esq., A.R.A., Principal Architect for Italy and Greece, for Assisi Military Cemetery, Rome British Military Cemetery and Ravenna British Cemetery in Italy.
Saigon British War Cemetery
Discussion regarding graves located at Saigon British War Cemetery and suggestion of removing the graves to Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore.
1st Canadian Division Memorial, Thelus, France
Resolution for the sale and reinvestment of stock from the war bonds held by the Commission to provide for the maintenance of the 1st Canadian Division Memorial, Thelus, France.
Dorchester and Fordington Cemeteries
Resolution for deeds of Grant in duplicate granting to the Commission the exclusive rights of burial in war graves in the Fordington and Dorchester Cemeteries.
Northwood Cemetery, Middlesex
Resolution for deed of Grant of the exclusive burial rights in the war graves in the Service Plot of the Northwood Cemetery, Middlesex.
Items of interest
Canada (Dominion) Day service of remembrance at Hastings Borough Cemetery on 25 June 1950 Ceremonies at Scopwick Church Burial Ground, Lincolnshire, and Marham Cemetery, Norfolk, when Crosses of Sacrifice had been dedicated.
Tour of British cemeteries by the British Ambassador in Paris, His Excellency Sir Oliver Harvey. Ceremony at Groesbeek Canadian Cemetery at which Vice Admiral Rose van Tonningen, representing Her Majesty Queen Juliana of the Netherlands laid a wreath.
Mention that the Honourable P.C. Spender, M.P., Minister for External Affairs in the Australian Government, had visited Rabaul (Bita Paka) War Cemetery.
Date of next meeting scheduled for Thursday 21 September 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)
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)
D.V. Serrurier, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for South Africa)
W.B. England, Esq., M.B.E. (Representing the High Commissioner for India)
Captain J.T. Chopping (Representing the High Commissioner for Pakistan)
D.K. Malone, Esq. (Representing the Secretary of State for the Colonies)
A.B. Moore, Esq. (Representing the Minister of Works)
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.
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:
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)
R.W. Bateman, Esq. (Director of Works)
O.D. Holt, Esq. (Principal, Secretarial Branch)
C.R. Kirton, Esq., M.B.E. (Chief Accountant) |