| Content Note | Topics include:
Apologies for absence
Lord Wigram. Sir Richard Hopkins, Sir Herbert Ellissen and Sir William Halcrow.
Approval and signature of the minutes of the 330th Commission meeting.
The Secretary’s Tour
Mention of telegram received from the Secretary Brigadier Frank Higginson announcing his safe arrival in Montreal whilst on a tour of Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Saigon British War Cemetery
Mention of a letter sent to the Foreign Office that the Commission wished further efforts to be made in locating an alternative site to Saigon British War Cemetery.
Modification of the Commission’s title
Mention of a letter sent to all participating governments requesting for their views on the issue.
Arrangements for Remembrance Day 1950
Service at Westminster Abbey, ceremonies in Paris and Brussels, and the broadcast on the Home Service of the BBC.
Netherlands War Graves Foundation
Report on meeting with Madame van Anrooy, the President or the Netherlands War Graves Foundation, Mr Wilbrenninck, a member or her staff, and the Military Attaché at the Netherlands Embassy in London, to discuss questions affecting the permanent marking and maintenance or Dutch war graves in the United Kingdom.
Procedure for War Graves Treaties
Discussion about procedure for war graves treaties with foreign governments.
Graves in Poland
Letter received from the British Ambassador in Poland regarding the cemeteries and war graves in Poland.
Proposal by Greek Government to construct memorial to British Commonwealth Forces in Greece
Proposal by the Greek Government to construct a memorial in honour of members of the British Commonwealth forces who fell in the defence of Greece, which part of the design featured three tombs in which would be interred the remains of three unknown soldiers (one British, one Australian and one New Zealander) at present buried in Phaleron War Cemetery, Athens. Comments from the Commission that the proposal was not only contrary to the Commission’s policy but would also detract from the symbolism of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey.
Messrs. A.W. Bain and Sons
Mention of services of Messrs. A.W. Bain and Sons who had acted as honorary insurance brokers to the Commission since 1945.
Meeting with the Transport and General Workers Union Joint Negotiating Council
Brief mention of a meeting with the Transport and General Workers’ Union Joint Negotiating Council regarding rates of pay for different grades.
Tour of war cemeteries in France and Belgium by Colonel the Hon. A.H. Dennett, Minister of Agriculture and Forests in the State of Victoria.
Mention that the Minister had remarked on the high standard of the sites he visited and enthusiastic of the Commission’s work.
Report of the 374th Finance Committee meeting
Item 10 concerned proposed removal of staff from Southern European District.
Item 14 recommended acceptance of a tender for construction of Agira Canadian War Cemetery, Sicily.
Item 15 mentioned construction commenced at El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt, but the memorial would have to be re-designed and left for the present.
Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel
Difficulties surrounding the maintenance of the cemetery related to the conflicting interests in the location of the cemetery.
London Cemetery Extension, High Wood Longueval, France
Examination of sketch design for cemetery construction by Austin Blomfield, M.A., F.R.I.B.A.
Design of 1939-1945 War Cemeteries in France
Examination for sketch designs for cemetery construction by Philip D. Hepworth, F.R.I.B.A., Principal Architect for North-West Europe, for Brouay War Cemetery and Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, Cintheaux, France.
Arezzo War Cemetery, Italy
Examination of sketch design for cemetery construction by Louis de Soissons, A.R.A., Principal Architect for Italy and Greece, for Arezzo War Cemetery, Italy.
31st and 32nd Quarterly Reports for the Maintenance of War Graves in the United Kingdom
Includes comments about the Royal Air Force cemetery at Cambridge and war graves in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Agreement with Mr. F.H. Crossley, F.R.I.B.A.
Regarding his services as Architect in the construction of the Memorial to the Royal Naval Patrol Service (1939-1945 War) to be erected at Lowestoft, Suffolk.
Items of interest
Progress of construction at Fossvogur Cemetery, Reykjavik, Iceland, with comments about concerns over durability of headstone and foundation beams during the Icelandic winter.
Brief mention of questions received from a Scottish consultative committee on stone enquiring as to whether the Commission’s policy had changed with regards to the use of granite headstones in Scotland.
Date of next meeting scheduled for Thursday 16 November 1950 at 10:30am to allow for the screening of the Commission’s film to members which had been revised.
ATTENDEES:
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)
H.J. Neethling, 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.
Sir Patrick Spens, K.B.E., K.C., M.P.
ADVISERS:
Edward Maufe, Esq., R.A. (Chief Architect and Artistic Adviser)
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)
O.D. Holt, Esq. (Principal, Secretarial Branch)
H.P.R. Foster, Esq., O.B.E. (Legal Assistant)
W.K.K. Kinnear, Esq., M.B.E. (Chief Administrative Officer, United Kingdom District) |