| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Approval, amendment and signing of the 361st Commission meeting and matters arising out of the minutes
a) Jerusalem War Cemetery
b) Photographs of Her Majesty The Queen
c) Report of the 405th Meeting of the Finance Committee: Thiepval Memorial
d) General Notes: Unveilinq of the Cross of Sacrifice at Labuan War Cemetery, North Borneo.
Unveiling of the Runnymede Memorial
Mentions that Her Majesty the Queen would unveil the Runnymede Memorial on Saturday 17 October 1953 and it would be dedicated by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Unveiling of the Lowestoft Memorial
Mentions that the Royal Naval Patrol Service memorial at Lowestoft, Suffolk would be unveiled by the First Sea Lord, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Rhoderick McGrigor, at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday 7 October 1953 and would be dedicated by the Bishop of Norwich.
Memorial to the Missing, Dunkirk
Mentions that the question over the form of the Dunkirk Memorial would have to be addressed in July 1953 as advised by the Secretary of State for War.
Signature of the Commonwealth-Italian War Graves Agreement
Refers to the signing of the Commonwealth-Italian War Graves in August 1953.
Earthquake Damage in the Ionian Islands and Elsewhere
Mentions that severe earthquake damage had occurred in the British cemeteries at Cephalonia and Zante in the Ionian Islands which were being maintained by the Commission on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government. Also refers to reports of tectonic activity at Cyprus and Suva War Cemetery in Fiji.
Procedure for Negotiating Commonwealth-Japanese War Graves Agreement
Outline of procedure for negotiating the Commonwealth-Japanese War Graves Agreement, involving the security of the cemetery site at Yokohama, Japan.
Report of the 406th Finance Committee meeting
Item 3 dealt with the construction of the El Alamein Memorial, Egypt.
Item 4 dealt with expenditure on the proposed Royal New Zealand Naval Memorial at Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand, the design for which was the next item on the Agenda.
Item 23 recommended an expenditure of £1,600 on the arrangements for the unveiling ceremony at Runnymede; there was additional consequential expenditure of £1,000 on printing, postage and clerical work.
Item 26 set out the rates or payor Senior and General Clerks in the French, North-West European and Southern European Districts. These had been agreed by the Negotiating Committee.
Item 28 (e) referred to the retirement of Colonel Menzies, who had served the Commission loyally for many years, and the appointment of his successor, Mr S.T. Grady, who was the son of one of the Commission's former Head Gardeners.
Item 33 referred to the matter regarding Arrow Route Cemetery, Italy.
Examination of proposed design for a naval memorial to the missing at Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand.
Change in design for Kohima War Cemetery, India
Discussion about revised design for Kohima War Cemetery, India, involving the combination of the Cross of Sacrifice and shelter so the Cross would be raised and more visible from the rest of the cemetery whilst also retaining the historic tennis court.
Cremation memorial in El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt
Discussion regarding the design of the cremation memorial proposed to be constructed at El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt.
Examination of sketch design by Philip D. Hepworth, F.R.I.B.A., Principal Architect for North-Western Europe, for Leopoldsburg War Cemetery, Belgium.
Examination of sketch design by Louis de Soissons, R.A., F.R.I.B.A., Principal Architect for Italy and Greece, for Udine War Cemetery, Italy, including comments regarding the omission of the paving to the avenue and around the Cross of Sacrifice.
Examination of sketch design by Sir Hubert Worthington, A.R.A., Principal Architect for North Africa, for Tabarka Ras Rajel War Cemetery, Tunisia.
Examination of sketch design by H.J. Brown, A.R.I.B.A. for Madras War Cemetery, India.
Efford Cemetery, Plymouth
Resolution for Deed of Grant of exclusive rights of burial in a war Grave (No. CON.C.7401) of the 1939-1945 War in Plymouth (Efford) Cemetery, Devonshire, United Kingdom.
Plymouth City Crematorium
Resolution for Deed of Grant authorising the Commission to erect within the precincts of Efford Cemetery, Plymouth, Memorial panels in Portland Stone commemorating the names of Members of His late Majesty's Forces who died during the 1939-1945 War and were cremated at the City Crematorium, Plymouth.
Maintenance of the 12th Division 1914-1918 Memorials at Epehy and Feuchy, France
Resolution for investment of funds for the maintenance of the 12th Division 1914-1918 Memorials at Epehy and Feuchy, France.
Progress Report for the quarter ended 30 June 1953
Mentions that all headstones were in place in Tunisia and nearly all in Algeria. Also refers to the placing of bronze plaques in the Far East, reductions in staff and that 46 large cemeteries remained to be constructed.
General notes
Mentions that the Commission took note of the paper submitted.
Date of next meeting scheduled for Thursday 15 October 1953 at 11:00am.
ATTENDEES:
Admiral Sir Martin Dunbar-Nasmith, V.C., K.C.B., D.L. (Vice-Chairman in the Chair)
Colonel Alan Chambers, D.S.O., O.B.E. (Representing the High Commissioner for Canada)
W.H. Bunning, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
W. Wynne Mason, Esq., M.C. (Representing the High Commissioner for New Zealand)
C.H. Torrance, 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)
A.B. Moore, Esq. (Representing the Minister of 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., D.S.I.
The Rt. Hon. Sir Richard Hopkins, G.C.B.
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. LL.B (Legal Adviser)
O.D. Holt, Esq. (Principal, Secretarial Branch) |