| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Apologies for absence
Sir Richard Hopkins
Sir Herbert Ellissen
Sir Patrick Spens
Mr Trafford Smith (who had hoped to attend for the first time as the representative for the Secretary of State for the Colonies)
General Stevens
Sir William Halcrow
Approval and signing of the 332nd Commission meeting minutes.
Commission headstones on graves in the U.K. already marked by permanent private memorials
Refers to policy stating wherever inadequate commemoration was found, the Commission would take necessary steps to remedy this where possible.
New Year Honours
M.B.E. awarded to E.G. Marshall, Records Department, and J. McInroy, Horticultural Officer, Southern European District
British Empire Medal awarded to T. Rochford, Travelling Superintendent Gardener in France, and to R. Collick, Foreman of Works, Belgium.
Death of Count Guido Memmo
Refers to the news of the death of Count Guido Memmo, former representative of the Commission in Italy, with comments about his career and tributes from attending members.
Tablet to Sir Fabian Ware in Gloucester Cathedral
Mentions unveiling of memorial tablet to Sir Fabian Ware in Gloucester Cathedral took place on 28 December 1950. Mr Tyrrell and Miss Milne attended the ceremony.
The Lutyens Memorial
Refers to publication of three memorial volumes on the life of Sir Edwin Lutyens, former Principal Architect for the Commission, and that a copy would be acquired for the Commission.
The Secretary’s Tour
Mention of the completion of the Australian portion of the Secretary Brigadier Frank Higginson’s tour and that he had visited New Guinea, inspected the cemeteries at Port Moresby and Lae, and on his way there he had seen the cemeteries at Townsville and Cairns in Northern Queensland.
Jerusalem War Cemetery
Mention the Commission had approached the United Nations Conciliation Commissioner to have the mines removed at Jerusalem War Cemetery and to take the necessary steps to allow the Commission’s staff to resume their duties there.
Construction in Scandinavia
Refers to report delivered Mr A. Macfarlane, Esq., M.C., Deputy Director of Works, about the Commission’s construction programme in Scandinavia (Norway, Denmark and Sweden).
International Agreements
Refers to discussions with the Foreign Office regarding the French and Italian treaties.
31st Annual Report
Mention that the Commission’s 31st Annual Report had been submitted for printing.
Graves at Styrsudd Point, Karelia
Brief mention of the small plot of 1914-1918 graves at Styrsudd Point, Karelia, previously in Finnish territory until 1939, where a photograph had been accompanied by a letter from the Head of the Finnish Lighthouse Service, describing the care with which the lighthouse keeper and his wife had look after the graves prior to them being compelled to leave.
Initial report by Major-General H.W. Foster, C.B.E., D.S.O., Chief Administrative Officer, North-West European District, particularly regarding headquarters in Brussels and progress at Groesbeek War Cemetery.
Reorganisation in South-East Asia
Refers mostly to the concentration work in India, Pakistan and Burma as well as the transfer of Indonesia to the Commission’s Anzac Agency, resulting in the decision to the combine the two districts under Brigadier Obbard, Chief Administrative Officer at New Delhi, from the beginning of April 1951.
Report of the 377th Finance Committee
Item 1 that the works organisation in the United Kingdom, French and North-West European Districts, had been carefully overhauled and a number of adjustments were being recommended to keep pace with the building programme.
Item 4 concerned the supply of bronze plaque memorials by the Arrow Engraving Company of Melbourne, Australia.
Item 11 indicated difficulties in commencing construction in Tunisia.
Item 12 referred to construction at Brookwood Military Cemetery.
Item 19 dealt with the construction of the first three cemeteries in Holland.
Allied War Graves
Proposal for the formation of a small committee on Allied graves; mention that metal medallions on Belgian headstones had a habit of falling out and that action should be taken to guard against this issue.
Examination of sketch design for St. Desir War Cemetery, France.
33rd Quarterly Report for the maintenance of war graves in the United Kingdom (up to 31 December 1950), noting completion of R.A.F. regional cemetery plots at Cambridge and Oxford, with the plots at Harrogate, Bath, Chester and Brookwood in progress; replacement of medallions on Belgian headstones; rose garden at Chester; visitor books at cemeteries in the United Kingdom.
Beccles and Kirkley cemeteries, Lowestoft
Resolution for deeds of Grant for the exclusive rights of burial in the war graves not already acquired by relatives in Beccles Road and Kirkley cemeteries at Lowestoft, Suffolk.
General notes: condition of cemeteries in Palestine and Tunisia deemed satisfactory.
Update on discussions regarding graves of Members of Commonwealth forces dying in Korean Operations.
Date of next meeting scheduled for Thursday 15 February 1951 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)
W.H. Bunning, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
D.F. Anderson, Esq. (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)
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., D.S.I.
General Sir John Crocker, G.C.B., K.B.E., D.S.O., M.C., A.D.C.
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)
H.P.R. Foster, Esq., O.B.E. (Legal Assistant)
A. Macfarlane, Esq., M.C. (Deputy Director of Works)
O.D. Holt, Esq. (Principal, Secretarial Branch)
A.S. Laing, Esq. (Private Secretary to the Secretary)
Major-General H.W. Foster, C.B.E., D.S.O. (Chief Administrative Officer, North-West European District)
W.K.K. Kinnear, Esq., M.B.E. (Chief Administrative Officer, United Kingdom District) |