| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Apologies for absence:
Mr Trafford Smith (on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Colonies)
Sir Herbert Ellissen
General Sir John Crocker
Mr George Sylvester
Sir William Halcrow.
Approval and signing of the 340th Commission meeting minutes
A) War Graves Agreements
B) Headstones for service graves.
Death of the Prime Minister of Pakistan
Refers to the assassination of Mr Liaquat Ali Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Tour of cemeteries in Malta, Sicily and Italy by Sir Arthur Longmore
Refers to report given by Sir Arthur of his tour between 26 September and 12 October 1951, with comments regarding dropping “British” from cemetery names on signs, visitors signing visitor books, and proposal to move the graves out of Florence Arrow Route Cemetery.
Visit by Sir Patrick Spens to cemeteries in French District
Report of visit by Sir Patrick Spens, K.B.E., K.C., including comments about acquiring necessary land at Dunkirk cemetery, the progress of repair work at Neuve Chapelle, and general work in repairing and restoring 1914-1918 war cemeteries and memorials.
Remembrance Day 1951
Refers to arrangements for ceremonies in London, Paris and Brussels for Remembrance Day as well as the Remembrance Day broadcast on the BBC Home Service on 11 November 1951.
Percentages by each participating government
Refers to progress on calculating percentages of contribution by each participating government for the work relating to the 1939-1945 War graves.
Maintenance of war graves in South Africa
Mention that the Chairman of the South African Agency obtained the approval of the Union Government for the maintenance at their cost of all war graves in nine of the military cemeteries situated on Government ground in the Union of South Africa.
Visit by Dr C.W. Bean
Refers to the visit by Dr. C.W. Bean, the Australian Official Historian of the 1914-1918 War, to cemeteries in France and North-West Europe districts in September and October 1951.
Report of the 385th Finance Committee meeting
Item 2 dealt with the appointment of Major-General J.F.D. Steedman as Director of Works.
Item 3 dealt with the appointment of Mr H.L. Simmons as Legal Adviser.
Items 12, 15, 16 17, 20, 22, 23 and 24 all indicated satisfactory progress towards construction in the cemeteries in the Eastern District, including the East Africa area.
Item 25 dealt with toolsheds in Southern European District.
Examination of sketch design for cemetery construction by Philip D. Hepworth, F.R.I.B.A., Principal Architect for North-West Europe, for Brussels Town Cemetery, Belgium.
Examination of sketch design for cemetery construction by Philip D. Hepworth, F.R.I.B.A., Principal Architect for North-West Europe, for Uden War Cemetery, the Netherlands.
36th Quarterly Report for the maintenance of war graves in the United Kingdom (up to 30 September 1951): Comments about criticism of lettering on headstones in Harefield (St. Mary’s) Churchyard, Middlesex.
Memorial panel at St. John’s Crematorium, Woking
Resolution for Deed of Grant regarding memorial panel erected at St. John’s Crematorium, Woking, to commemorate the dead of the 1939-1945 War cremated there.
Cross of Sacrifice and Screen Wall at City of London Cemetery, Manor Park, Essex
Refers to agreement permitting the Commission to erect a Cross of Sacrifice and a Screen Wall commemorating Members of His Majesty's Forces who died during the 1939-1945 War and were buried or cremated at City of London Cemetery, Manor Park, Essex.
Presentation of war graves passes for King George V by Lord Wigram
Mention of thanks to Lord Wigram for presenting to the Commission the two passes issued to King George V during the King’s Pilgrimage in May 1922 to be kept in the Commission’s Archive.
General notes: Mistake in paper issued regarding Anzac Agency as pointed out by Mr Trafford Smith; Unveiling of the Cross of Sacrifice in Carlisle (Dalston Road) Cemetery on 30 September 1951.
Air Forces Memorial, Runnymede
Mention that some members of the Egham Urban District Council had objected to the modifications which had been made in the original design for the Runnymede Air Forces Memorial and that Edward Maufe, R.A., Chief Architect and Artistic Adviser, had presented amended designs which were subsequently approved, and work had begun on the foundations.
Date of next meeting scheduled for Thursday 15 November 1951 at 10:30am to allow for a showing of the Commission’s film about its work.
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)
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)
H.J. Neethling, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for South Africa)
W.B. England, Esq., M.B.E. (Representing the High Commissioner for India)
A.B. Moore, Esq. (Representing the Minister for 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., C.S.I.
Sir Patrick Spens, K.B.E., K.C.
ADVISERS:
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)
Major-General J.F.D. Steedman, C.B.E., M.C. (Principal Deputy Director of Works)
O.D. Holt, Esq. (Principal, Secretarial Branch)
W.K.K. Kinnear, Esq., M.B.E. (Chief Administrative Officer, United Kingdom District) |