| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Apologies for absence
High Commissioner for South Africa, who was unable to send a representative to the Meeting.
Sir Richard Hopkins, who was indisposed.
Approval and signing of the 328th Commission meeting minutes
a) Proposed visit by the Secretary F. Higginson, Esq., C.M.G. to Canada, New Zealand and Australia
b) Concentration Scheme – India and Pakistan
c) Concentration of graves from Saigon British War Cemetery to Kranji War Cemetery.
Extension of the appointment of the Secretary to the Commission
Refers to extension of appointment of Brigadier F. Higginson due to concerns over constructional work not being completed for another three years and the Secretary possessing knowledge invaluable to ensuring the completion of the programme.
Graves of the 1914-1918 War in civil and cantonment cemeteries in India and Pakistan
Discussion regarding the Commission’s policy with regards to the graves of the First World War in civil and cantonment cemeteries in India and Pakistan.
Modification of the Commission’s title
Discussion regarding the proposed modification of the Commission’s title, including substituting “Imperial” for “Commonwealth”.
Air Forces Memorial, Cooper’s Hill
Comments and approval of Edward Maufe’s revised design for the Runnymede Air Forces Memorial to be built at Cooper’s Hill.
Death of Field Matshal Smuts
Mention of death of Field Marshal Smuts, a member of the Imperial Conference of 1917 which had unanimously adopted the resolution of the 13 April 1917which led to the Commission's incorporation in the following May.
General Sir James Steele
Mention of the meeting being the last meeting attended by General Sir James Steele, Adjutant-General to the Forces, who would be succeeded by General Sir John Crocker on the Commission.
Tour of cemeteries by Sir Patrick Spens
Report of tour by Sir Patrick Spens, K.B.E., K.C., M.P. of Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Holland and Belgium, with particular mention of the local interest in looking after graves in Denmark and about the placement of graves in Bedford House Cemetery, Belgium.
Death of Mr G.W. Winter
Mention of death of Mr G.W. Winter, Quantity Surveyor in the French District, who died in France on 6 August 1950 after a short illness.
Earthquake in Assam
Report from the Commission’s Senior Superintendent of Works in the India and Pakistan District regarding an earthquake which took place during his tour of inspection on 14 August 1950.
Report of the 373rd Finance Committee meeting.
Item 16 recommended the promotion of the Senior Records Officer (Historical) to be Chief Records Officer and the appointment of an Assistant to Principal, Secretarial Branch who would undertake compilation of the registers of the 1939-1945 War.
Item 19 indicated that during the Secretary’s absence his duties would devolve upon the Principal Assistant Secretary.
Item 21 dealt with the appointment of Major-General H.W. Foster as Chief Administrative Officer, North-West European District.
Item 22 referred to the appointment of staff for the work of concentrating the 1939-1945 war graves in Burma.
Also refers to estimates of construction of El Alamein War Cemetery.
Tour of inspection in the French District by Edward Maufe, Esq., R.A., Chief Architect and Artistic Adviser, and Brigadier Frank Higginson, Secretary, 31 July – 3 August 1950
Refers to tour report by Mr Maufe, including comments about prospective site for the Dunkirk Memorial.
Memorials to the Missing – Land Forces – Burma and Assam
Refers to approval for the construction of the Rangoon Memorial to the Missing 1939-1945 Land Forces in Burma and Assam.
Examination of sketch design for cemetery construction by Edward Maufe, Esq., R.A., Chief Architect and Artistic Adviser, for the 1939-1945 Sections of Brookwood Cemetery, Surrey.
Examination of sketch designs for cemetery construction by Philip D. Hepworth, F.R.I.B.A., Principal Architect for North-West Europe, for Celle British Cemetery, Soltau (Becklingen) British Cemetery and Hanover (Limmer) British Cemetery, Germany.
Examination of sketch design submitted for Addis Ababa War Cemetery, Ethiopia.
Newcastle-Upon-Tyne cemeteries
Resolution for deeds of Grant for exclusive burial rights in the war graves not already acquired by relatives in the following Cemeteries at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, namely: All Saints Cemetery; Byker and Heaton Cemetery; St. Nicholas Cemetery; St. Andrew's and Jesmond Cemetery; St. John's Westgate and Elswick Cemetery; West Road Cemetery.
Northwood Cemetery, Middlesex
Refers to agreement with the Urban District Council of Ruislip- Northwood to secure part of the Service Plot in Northwood Cemetery, Middlesex for future use for burials and be maintained by the Commission as part of the Plot.
Orpington (St. Mary Cray) Burial Ground, Kent
Resolution for deeds of Grant in respect of the exclusive burial rights in the ground unburied in within, the Service Plot of St. Mary Cray Burial Ground, Orpington, Kent.
Items of interest
Five Crosses of Sacrifice unveiled in the United Kingdom between July and August 1950
Visit by His Excellency Sir Keith Officer, Australian Ambassador in Paris, to cemeteries in the departments of the Somme, Pas-de-Calais and Nord
Unveiling of Cross of Sacrifice in Kvam Churchyard, Norway, on 10 September 1950
Visit by His Excellency the Indian Ambassador in Rome to Cassino War Cemetery, Italy
Visit by Sir Arthur and Lady Street to cemeteries in Tunisia in early August 1950
Suggestions regarding recording of visitor numbers and installation of visitors’ books at R.A.F. regional cemeteries in the United Kingdom.
Purchase of office remises, Salonika
Resolution for the purchase of premises situated at 6 Anaktoron Street, Salonika, Greece, for the purpose of the Commission's Area Office.
1914-1918 Memorials to the 49th and 62nd West Riding Divisions, France and Belgium
Resolution for the purchase of Treasury Stock for the maintenance of the 49th and 62nd West Riding Division Memorials, France and Belgium.
Date of next meeting scheduled for Thursday 19 October 1950 at 11:00am.
ATTENDEES:
The Rt. Hon. John Strachey, M.P. (Secretary of State for War and Chairman)
Admiral Sir Martin Dunbar-Smith, V.C., K.C.B. (Vice-Chairman in the Chair)
F. Hudd, Esq. C.B.E. (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)
Captain J.T. Chopping (Representing the High Commissioner for Pakistan)
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:
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:
F.C. Sillar, Esq., C.B.E. (Principal Assistant Secretary)
W.J. Chalmers, Esq. (Assistant Secretary)
R.W. Bateman, Esq. (Director of Works)
H.P.R. Foster, Esq., O.B.E. (Legal Assistant)
O.D. Holt, Esq. (Principal, Secretarial Branch) |