| Content Note | Topics dicussed:
Approval and signing of 347th Commission meeting minutes
A) Comments regarding post-war graves in Malaya
B) Tour of cemeteries in French district by Sir Arthur Longmore
C) Report of tour of cemeteries in Holland by Sir Patrick Spens, including Arnhem and Noordwijk.
Birthday Honours
M.B.E. awarded to Captain R.E. Gilbert, Administrative Assistant (Records), Anzac Agency, and to Mr. J. H. Day, Transport Officer at the Head Office at Wooburn Green.
B.E.M. awarded to Mr W. Ivory, Head Gardener, United Kingdom District (at Brookwood), and to Mr H. Wilkins, Head Gardener, North-West European District.
Reception to members of the South African Battlefields Pilgrimage
Mention that 400 pilgrims had attended the Commission's reception on 31 May 1952, to members of the South African Battlefields Pilgrimage.
Unveiling of the Chatham Naval Memorial 1939-1945 Extension
Mention of announcement in the Press that the H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh would unveil the Chatham Naval Memorial 1939-1945 Extension on 15 October 1952.
Unveiling of the Liverpool Memorial
Mention that Admiral of the Fleet Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope would unveil the Liverpool Memorial on 12 November 1952.
Commonwealth-Egyptian War Graves Agreement
Mention that the Commonwealth-Egyptian War Graves Agreement was signed in Cairo on 8 June 1952.
Death of E.J. Scholtz
Mention of the death of Mr E.J. Scholtz, O.B.E., who had been the Secretary of the Commission's South African Agency since 1940.
D-Day ceremonies in Normandy
Short account of D-Day ceremonies in Normandy, including comments that the horticultural work at Bayeux War Cemetery had been completed only 24 hours before the ceremony took place.
Merchant Navy Memorial Bill
Mention that the Merchant Navy Memorial Bill had passed its second reading in the House of Lords.
Discussion regarding local criticism received regarding proposals to extend the Plymouth Naval Memorial, United Kingdom.
Report of the 393rd Finance Committee Meeting
Items 4 (a) and 4 (b) concerned the cleaning and maintenance of headstones in France.
Item 5 dealt with the introduction of a new Superannuation Scheme.
Superannuation Scheme
Refers to nomination of Commission members to be Trustees of the new Superannuation Scheme to be established by a Trust Deed which is to be submitted to the Commission at their meeting in July 1952: Admiral Sir Martin Eric Dunbar-Nasmith, V.C., K.C.B., D.L.; The Right Honourable Sir Richard Valentine Nind Hopkins, G.C.B.; Frank Higginson Esq., C.B., C.M.G..
Commonwealth-Netherlands Joint Committee
Refers to the membership of the Commonwealth-Netherlands Joint Committee, with list of all committee members.
Commonwealth-Italian War Graves Agreement
Discussion regarding the signing of the British Commonwealth-Italian War Graves Agreement and the proposed removal of Arrow Route War Cemetery, Florence, Italy.
General notes: mention that the Commission took note of the paper submitted.
Report by Chief Administrative Officer about work in French District
Refers to the report by Brigadier C.S. Vale, C.B.E., M.C., Chief Administrative Officer, French District, about the progress of the Commission’s work in France, including comments about construction and maintenance, horticulture and staff welfare.
Date of next meeting scheduled for Thursday 17 July 1952 at 11:00am.
ATTENDEES:
Admiral Sir Martin Dunbar-Smith, V.C., K.C.B., D.L. (Vice-Chairman in the Chair)
J.P. Sigvaldason, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for Canada)
W.H. Bunning, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
Major-General W.G. 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 K.A. Rashid (Representing the High Commissioner for Pakistan)
D.K. Malone, 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.
Sir Patrick Spens, K.B.E., Q.C., M.P.
General Sir John Crocker, G.C.B., K.B.E., D.S.O., M.C.
ADVISERS:
Edward Maufe, Esq., R.A., F.R.I.B.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. (Director of Works)
H.L. Simmons, Esq. (Legal Adviser)
A.S. Laing, Esq. (Private Secretary to the Secretary)
Brigadier C.S. Vale, C.B.E., M.C. (Chief Administrative Officer, French District) |