| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Apologies for absence:
Mr David Eccles the Minister of Works
Captain Chopping (on behalf of the High Commissioner for Pakistan)
Sir Richard Hopkins
Sir Herbert Ellissen
Sir Patrick Spens
Approval and signing of the 341st Commission meeting minutes:
A) War Graves Agreements, including signing of Commonwealth-French War Graves Agreement
B) Report on Remembrance Day events
C) Modification of the Commission’s title
D) Graves in Scandinavia
Superannuation Scheme
Discussion regarding the Superannuation Scheme and the establishment of an informal committee and a formal Scheme and Trust Deed for the consideration of the Commission.
Report of the 386th Finance Committee meeting
Item 2 indicated progress in major maintenance of 1914-1918 war cemeteries and memorials in France.
Item 4 dealt with the report of expenditure and remittances to Sub-Accountants for the month of September 1951.
Item 6 prompted a question from the Chairman regarding breakages of headstones going overseas.
Item 18 referred to the relocation of the headquarters of North-West European District headquarters in Brussels.
Item 21 concerned the erection of six granite Crosses of Sacrifice in Scotland.
Percentages of contributions by participating governments – 1939-1945 War
Discussion about percentages of contributions by participating governments related to the Commission’s work in respect of the 1939-1945 War, with accompanying report.
Report on the 24th Annual Meeting of the South African Agency
Discussion about the report, relating to the maintenance of cemeteries by the Public Works Department and support provided South African Pilgrimage to the battlefields in 1952 which was being organised by the British Empire Service League.
Memorial to the Missing – 1939-1945 War – Merchant Navy
Proposal for the 1939-1945 extension to the Tower Hill Memorial to the Missing; Merchant Navy 1939-1945 and proposed petition to Parliament to be granted a Statute in respect of the rights to construct the extension.
Examination of sketch design by Edward Maufe, R.A., Chief Architect and Artistic Advisor, for the Runnymede Air Forces Memorial, Surrey, United Kingdom, including comments about the revised dimensions of the bronze eagle at the top of the column on the memorial.
Examination of sketch design for Les Moutiers Communal Cemetery, France, including suggestions for a screen wall to the victims of the “Lancastria” disaster.
Brookwood Cemetery, Surrey
Resolution for Deed of Grant or the exclusive rights of burial in the 1939-1945 war graves in Brookwood Cemetery, Surrey, United Kingdom.
General notes
Appreciative letter received from Commander C.J. Gordon, Head of the British Police Mission in northern Greece following a visit to Karasouli Military Cemetery.
Visitor numbers for French District (13,546 for cemeteries and 4,954 for memorials).
Mention of progress report for the quarter ending 30 September 1951.
Date of next meeting scheduled for Thursday 20 December 1951.
Transcript of broadcast talk by Admiral Sir Martin Dunbar-Nasmith, V.C., K.C.B., Vice-Chairman for the Imperial War Graves Commission on Remembrance Day 1951.
ATTENDEES:
Admiral Sir Martin Dunbar-Smith, V.C., K.C.B. (Vice-Chairman in the Chair)
The Rt. Hon. Oliver Lyttelton, M.P. (Secretary of State for the Colonies)
His Excellency Group Captain The Hon. T.W. White, D.F.C. V.D. (High Commissioner for Australia)
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)
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.
General Sir John Crocker, G.C.B., K.B.E., D.S.O., M.C.
George Sylvester, Esq., M.P.
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:
W.H. Bunning, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
Trafford Smith, Esq. (Representing the Secretary of State for the Colonies)
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)
A.S. Laing, Esq. (Private Secretary to the Secretary)
W.K.K. Kinnear, Esq., M.B.E. (Chief Administrative Officer, United Kingdom District) |