| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Apologies for absence:
Sir Richard Hopkins
Sir Patrick Spens
Mr. Bunning (on behalf of the High Commissioner for Australia).
Approval and signing of the 336th Commission meeting minutes:
A) Visit by H.R.H. Princess Elizabeth to Anzio Beach Head and Anzio War Cemeteries
B) Modification of the Commission’s title
C) A play about a Commission gardener
D) Jerusalem War Cemetery.
Changes in the Membership of the Commission
The Rt. Hon. Richard Stokes, M.C., M.P., had recently been succeeded by the Rt. Hon. George Brown, M.P., as Minister of Works.
The Australian Government had appointed the Hon. T.W. White, formerly Minister for Air and Civil Aviation, as High Commissioner for Australia in London, in succession to His Excellency the Hon. Eric Harrison.
Appointment of Mr Harold Neal, M.P. as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fuel and Power.
Tour of General Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson
Refers to recent tour by General Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson of cemeteries and memorials in French and North-Western Europe Districts.
Visit to Turkey, Greece, Italy and Malta by Vice-Chairman and Assistant Secretary
Mentions upcoming visit to Turkey, Greece, Italy and Malta, by the Vice-Chairman Admiral Sir Martin-Dunbar Smith, V.C., K.C.B. and the Assistant Secretary W.J. Chalmers, Esq.
War Graves Agreements
Mention that the Australian Government had requested a statement regarding War Graves Agreements.
Visit to French and North-West Europe Districts by the Premier of Australia
Mention of visit to cemeteries and memorials in French and North-West Europe Districts by the Premier of Australia the Hon. D. Ross McLarthy on 18 and 19 April 1951.
Visit to Suda Bay War Cemetery, Crete by Mrs J.G.H. Hamilton, O.B.E.
Refers to visit to Suda Bay by Mrs Hamilton who had expressed her appreciation of the Commission’s work in taking care of her son’s grave there.
Report of the 381st Finance Committee meeting
Item 5 dealt with the reappointment of Brigadier A.E. Brown as Secretary-General of the Anzac Agency for a further term of five years.
Item 8 (b) recommended the acceptance of a tender for the supply and delivery of a granite Cross of Sacrifice for Dunure Cemetery, Maybole, Ayrshire.
Membership of the Finance Committee
Refers to previous meeting’s discussion with following resolutions made:
1) Approval of the rotation of the membership of the committee
2) Appointment of High Commissioner for India as a member.
3) Appointment of High Commissioner for South Africa as a member.
Allied War Graves
Discussion regarding Allied war graves, particularly Polish war graves and the type of temporary marker erected prior to installing a Commission headstone.
War graves in Austria
Discussion regarding permanent marking of British Commonwealth War Graves in Klagenfurt cemetery, Austria.
Examination of sketch design for cemetery construction for Sage War Cemetery, Oldenburg, Germany.
Examination of sketch design for cemetery construction for Cesena War Cemetery, Italy.
Examination of sketch designs for cemetery construction submitted by the Commission’s Anzac Agency for Djakarta (Menteng Pulo) Cemetery and Sourabaya British Commonwealth War Cemetery, Java, and Suva War Cemetery, Fiji.
Plymouth cemeteries
Resolution for Deed of Grant of exclusive rights of burial in 1939-1945 War Graves in Plymouth (Weston Mill) Cemetery and Plymouth (Efford) Cemetery, United Kingdom.
General notes
Suggestion regarding statement of visitor figures from Sir Herbert Ellissen.
Visit on Anzac Day to the Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial by the Australian Ambassador in Paris.
Wreath laying by the British Ambassador in Oslo at Mollendal Cemetery on 6 March 1951
Visit by the Deputy High Commissioner of the United Kingdom in India, Mr Frank Roberts, to Kohima and Imphal Cemeteries.
Date of next meeting scheduled for Thursday 21 June 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)
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)
Captain J.T. Chopping (Representing the High Commissioner for Pakistan)
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.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Herbert Ellissen, C.B.E.
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)
R.W. Bateman, Esq. (Director of Works)
H.P.R. Foster, Esq., O.B.E. (Legal Assistant)
O.D. Holt, Esq. (Principal, Secretarial Branch) |