| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Apologies for absence
The Minister of Works, Mr R.R. Stokes, who had hoped to attend personally
Sir Herbert Ellissen
Sir Patrick Spens.
Vice-Chairman of the Commission
Resolution for the appointment of Admiral Sir Martin Dunbar-Nasmith, V.C., K.C.B., as Vice-Chairman of the Commission extended for a further period of three years commencing on 13 June 1951.
Suggested modification of the Commission’s title
Refers to discussion from previous meeting and update on progress where letters had been sent to all participating governments and responses were still being collated.
Membership of the Finance Committee
Discussion regarding membership of the Finance Committee particularly with regards to New Zealand, and explanation for the three-years' terms was that there were three pairs of Dominions, and the arrangement would work conveniently that way.
Report of the 380th meeting of the Finance Committee
Item 2 indicated that progress was being made with the second of the naval memorials, that at Portsmouth. The Chatham Memorial was now complete except for the name panels.
Item 3 dealt with the construction of Taiping Cemetery, Malaya.
Item 16 recommended authority for expenditure on foundations for headstones and a Cross of Sacrifice in Belgrade War Cemetery.
Item 19 dealt with the preparation and fencing of the site of the new concentration cemetery at Rangoon.
Item 23 recommended rescinding the previous resolution in connection with Genoa Cemetery, where, on the recommendation on of the Chief Architect and Artistic Adviser, and the Principal Architect, a well, which had been previously eliminated from the design, should be reinstated.
Lord Wigram’s visit to Ypres
Account of Lord Wigram’s visit to Ypres, including the sounding of the Last Post at the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, where damage caused during the Second World War had been repaired. Also mentions attendance at a tea party with several gardeners and their wives in attendance, and a visit to the English Church which had been recently repainted.
Visit by H.R.H. Princess Elizabeth to Anzio Beach Head and Anzio War Cemeteries on 19 April 1951
Mention that Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh were visiting the two Anzio cemeteries that day. Their Royal Highnesses were going first to Anzio Beach Head, where they would be met by Brigadier Collingwood, and after laying a wreath they would go on to Anzio War Cemetery.
Canadian Agency
Revocation of the appointment of the Commission’s Canadian Agency and appointment of the Minister of Veterans' Affairs to be the Agency of the Commission in Canada and the United States of America.
Death of Mr I.K. Redmond
Refers to the death of Mr Redmond, one of the two principal assistants to the Senior Architect since 1948.
58th Meeting of the Regional Inspectors in the United Kingdom District
Mention that the 58th Meeting of the Regional Inspectors in the United Kingdom District was held in the London Office on Thursday 12 April 1951.
A play about a Commission gardener
Discussion regarding a female dramatist who was writing a play about a Commission gardener entitled “The Silent City”.
Film lectures by the Principal Assistant Secretary in Aberdeen
Mention that film lectures about the Commission’s work were delivered to audiences in Aberdeen by the Principal Assistant Secretary F.C. Sillar, Esq., C.B.E. on 3rd, 4th and 5th April 1951.
Gibraltar Agency
Resolution for the delegation of necessary powers relating to the 1939-1945 War to the Commission’s Gibraltar Agency.
Examination of sketch design for cemetery construction by Phillip, D. Hepworth, F.R.I.B.A., Principal Architect for North-West Europe, Hamburg (Ohlsdorf) Cemetery, Germany.
Comments relating to the 34th Quarterly Report for the maintenance of war graves in the United Kingdom (up to 31 March 1951), mainly concerning the French plot at Brookwood; the horticultural condition of which had suffered due to recent heavy rains.
Decision to sign a new lease of the Commission's office accommodation at Hargreaves Buildings, 5, Chapel Street, Liverpool, for a term of five years from the first day of June next.
General notes
Visit of Miss J.R. MacKenzie, the New Zealand Charge'd'Affaires in Paris, to cemeteries and memorials in the French District, and of the British Consul-General in Paris, to other cemeteries in the same district.
Progress of concentrations of 1939-1945 burials in the Bombay zone of India and Pakistan to Kirkee War Cemetery.
Jerusalem War Cemetery
Update on progress in regaining access to Jerusalem War Cemetery for Commission staff considering the difficult political situation in Jerusalem.
Date of next meeting scheduled for Thursday 17 May 1951 at 11:00am.
ATTENDEES:
The Rt. Hon. John Strachey, M.P, (Secretary of State for War and Chairman of the Commission)
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)
W.H. Bunning, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
Major-General W.E. 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)
Trafford Smith, 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., D.S.I.
The Rt. Hon. Sir Richard Hopkins, G.C.B.
Harold Neal, Esq. M.P.
General Sir John Crocker, G.C.B., K.B.E., D.S.O., M.C., A.D.C.
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.
Also in attendance:
F.C. Sillar, Esq., C.B.E. (Principal Assistant Secretary)
W.J. Chalmers, Esq. (Assistant Secretary)
D.H. Lloyd, Esq. (Deputy Director of Works)
H.P.R. Foster, Esq., O.B.E. (Legal Assistant)
O.D. Holt, Esq. (Principal, Secretarial Branch)
A.S. Laing, Esq. (Private Secretary to the Secretary)
W.K.K. Kinnear, Esq., M.B.E. (Chief Administrative Officer, United Kingdom District) |