| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Apologies for absence:
Mr Moore, (on behalf of the Ministry of Works)
Mr Bunning, (on behalf of the High Commissioner for Australia)
Sir Richard Hopkins
Sir Herbert Ellissen
Sir Patrick Spens
General Sir John Crocker
Approval and signing of the 338th Commission meeting minutes
A) Jerusalem War Cemetery
B) Membership of the Commission
C) Concentrations in India and Pakistan
D) War Graves Agreements
E) Graves of members of Commonwealth Forces dying in Korea and headstones for service graves.
High Commissioner for New Zealand
Refers to the appointment of F.W. Doidge, Minister of-External Affairs in the New Zealand Government, had been appointed High Commissioner in London in succession to W.J. Jordan, who was retiring at the end of August 1951.
Zehrensdorf Indian Cemetery, Berlin
Refers to letter regarding visit by an employee of the Berlin Municipality to Zehrensdorf Indian Cemetery, Berlin commenting on its neglected condition and that many headstones and memorials had been damaged or destroyed.
Album of photographs of cemeteries in India, Pakistan and South-East Asia District
Refers to an album of photographs of cemeteries in India, Pakistan and South-East Asia District which was passed around the meeting.
Report of the 383rd Finance Committee meeting
Item 1 referred to the sum for the recess authority which was greater than the previous year due to a constructional contract needed for nine cemeteries in Normandy.
Item 2 referred to the award made on the 11 June 1951, in the arbitration proceedings between the Commission and the contractor, G.B. Stellatos, for the construction of Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma.
Item 4 dealt with the construction of Bolsena War Cemetery, Italy, with comments made about the lion erected at Minturno.
Item 6 referred to the appointment of Brigadier J.F.D. Steedman as Principal Deputy Director of Works at Head Office.
Item 7 referred to the appointment of Mr. R.W.W. Green, a New Zealander, as Assistant Secretary, Anzac Agency.
Item 21 indicated that construction was about to begin at Belgrade War Cemetery, Yugoslavia.
Stone of Remembrance in Australia
Comment that there was no Stone of Remembrance present anywhere in Australia and discussion regarding proposal to place one in the terrace of the National Memorial at Canberra.
Examination of sketch design for cemetery construction by Colin St. Clair Oakes, F.R.I.B.A., Principal Architect for India, Pakistan and South-East Asia, for Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand.
Sai Wan War Cemetery
Resolution for Deed of Appropriation for Sai Wan War Cemetery, Hong Kong.
Examination of sketch design for cemetery construction by Colin St. Clair Oakes, F.R.I.B.A., Principal Architect for India, Pakistan and South-East Asia, for Sai Wan Bay War Cemetery, Hong Kong, with comments about the omission of flag staffs at the cemetery.
Leases or other assurances of Cemetery sites: India, Pakistan and South-East Asia District.
35th Quarterly Report for the maintenance of war graves in the United Kingdom
Refers mostly to the unveiling of the Crosses of Sacrifice at Sutton Bridge and Cleethorpes cemeteries.
Runnymede Air Forces Memorial
Resolution for the affixation of the Commission’s seal on agreement With Messrs. Holloway Brothers (London) Limited for the construction of the Runnymede Air Forces Memorial, Cooper's Hill.
General notes: Dedication of the Cross of Sacrifice at Harrogate (Wetherby Road) Cemetery.
Sickness benefits for staff overseas
Discussion referring to Commission’s policy regarding sickness benefits for staff overseas.
Priority of construction for certain cemeteries which were the most visited
Comment by General Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson, citing Arnhem, Bayeux, Heliopolis, for example, with responses by Members.
Date of next meeting scheduled for Thursday 20 September 1951 at 11:00am as there was no meeting in August.
ATTENDEES:
Admiral Sir Martin Dunbar-Smith, V.C., K.C.B. (Vice-Chairman in the Chair)
J.P. Sigvaldason, Esq., C.B.E. (Representing the High Commissioner for Canada)
Major-General W.E. 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)
Trafford Smith, Esq. (Representing the Secretary of State for the Colonies)
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.
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)
R.W. Bateman, Esq. (Director of Works)
C.R. Kirton, Esq., M.B.E. (Chief Accountant)
H.P.R. Foster, Esq., O.B.E. (Legal Assistant)
O.D. Holt, Esq. (Principal, Secretarial Branch)
W.K.K. Kinnear, Esq., M.B.E. (Chief Administrative Officer, United Kingdom District) |