| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Mentions this was the last meeting attended by Mr H.J. Neethling, representative of the High Commissioner for South Africa.
Welcome to R.J. Vile who was attending his first Commission meeting as representative of the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Approval and signing of the 358th Commission meeting minutes and matters arising out of the minutes
a) Report of the unveiling of the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
b) Report of the unveiling of the Lee-on-Solent Fleet Air Arm Memorial.
Anzac Day Commemoration Service
Mentions Anzac Day Commemoration Service held in St. Paul’s Cathedral on 25 April 1953.
Film lectures at Elgin and Glasgow
Summary of film lectures at Elgin and Glasgow on 8 and 9 May 1953. Comments that the success of the lectures had been a result of the efforts by the Commission’s regional staff in Scotland, particularly Mr Dukes.
Adegem Canadian War Cemetery, Belgium
Refers to an article in a Ghent newspaper entitled “Het Volk” describing Adegem Canadian War Cemetery, Belgium.
Jerusalem War Cemetery
Mentions that the Adjutant-General had recently been able to take some action regarding issues with access to Jerusalem War Cemetery.
War Graves Agreements
Mentions that the Australian Embassy in Tokyo had been able to persuade the Japanese Government to extend the interim agreement for six months.
Report of the 403rd Finance Committee meeting
Item 3 refers to a photographic project proposed in the form of a book or series of books, with suggestion for a committee to be formed under the Chairman to discuss this.
Item 7 mentions construction of headstone beams at Fayid War Cemetery, Egypt was due to start shortly.
Item 8 indicated that the construction of headstone foundations and kerbs and the erection of headstones at ninety-one cemeteries in twelve countries was now recommended.
Item 12 recommended an expenditure of £300 on Coronation decorations and celebrations.
Item 18, said that the two cremation memorials at Imphal, would be the first of these memorials, which Mr Edward Maufe had designed, to be built.
Tour of French District by General Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson
Report of General Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson's tour, including comments about French national cemeteries, Dunkirk Cemetery, the problems of using the WGR1 form, the desirability of planting hedges over building walls, the problems of flaking brickwork at the Thiepval Memorial, and issues of housing shortages for Commission staff and maintaining isolated cemeteries in France.
Examination of sketch design for Padua War Cemetery, Italy.
Examination of sketch design for Bone War Cemetery, Algeria.
Regional Office, Salisbury
Mentions that authority granted to Alfred Bertram Melles, Inspector, South Western Region, to sign on the Commission's behalf the tenancy agreement of premises belonging to the Phoenix Assurance Company Limited situated at 32 Market Street, Salisbury, for use as the Commission's Regional Office.
Progress report for the quarter ended 31 March 1953
Mentions that 18 per cent of headstones had been erected; progress of construction programme in each of the Commission’s districts; mention that India, Pakistan and South-East Asia cemeteries would be completed in 1955-1956.
General notes
Refers to earthquake damage to the Commission’s office in Chanak, and the unveiling of the Cross of Sacrifice in Labuan Cemetery, North Borneo on 10 June 1953.
Memorial to the Missing, Dunkirk
Mentions that a discussion was to take place to agree upon the form of the Commission’s Dunkirk Memorial.
Date of next meeting scheduled for Thursday 18 June 1953 at 11:00am.
ATTENDEES:
Admiral Sir Martin Dunbar-Nasmith, V.C., K.C.B., D.L. (Vice-Chairman in the Chair)
Frederic Hudd, Esq., C.B.E. (Representing the High Commissioner for Canada)
W.H. Bunning, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
Major-General W.B. 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)
R.J. Vile, Esq. (Representing the Secretary of State for the Colonies)
General Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson, K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O.
The Rt. Hon. Sir Richard Hopkins, G.C.B.
Sir Patrick Spens, K.B.E., Q.C., M.P.
ADVISERS:
Sir William Halcrow, M. Inst. C.E. (Consulting Engineer)
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. LL.B (Legal Adviser)
O.D. Holt, Esq. (Principal, Secretarial Branch) |