| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Approval and signing of the minutes for the 363rd Commission meeting and matters arising from the minutes
a) Unveiling of the Runnymede Memorial
b) Unveiling of the Lowestoft Memorial – broadcast of a talk “Calling Newfoundland” on the BBC North American Service the following day
c) Remembrance Day – mentions four gardeners from France, Belgium, Germany and Holland laid a wreath in Westminster Abbey
d) Tour of War Cemeteries by the Hon. Hugues Lapointe. M.P.
e) Article about the Commission's Work in the R.I.B.A. Journal
f) Graves of the South African War.
Unveiling ceremonies in New Guinea and New Britain
Refers to the His Excellency the Governor-General of Australia unveiling of the Cross of Sacrifice at Bomana War Cemetery on 19 October 1953, the Cross of Sacrifice at Lae War Cemetery on 21 October 1953, and the Cross of Sacrifice at Bita Paka War Cemetery on 22 October 1953.
Death of Brigadier Moten
Refers to the death of Brigadier Moten, C.B.E., D.S.O., E.D., who had been a Member of the Committee of General Purposes of the Anzac Agency for seven years.
Tour of cemeteries in Italy by General Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson
Mentions that General Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson, K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O. had completed a tour of cemeteries in Italy.
Bourail War Cemetery, New Caledonia
Mentions that two members of the New Zealand Parliament, Mr. Leon Gotz and the Hon. E.T. Tirikatene, had recently visited New Caledonia in connection with the centennial celebrations there and had taken the opportunity of inspecting Bourail War Cemetery, New Caledonia.
Exhibition of photographs at Hamburg
Mentions that eight framed pictures of British Commonwealth war cemeteries, together with a brief note on the Commission's work, had been loaned to the German War Graves Organisation (V.D.K.) for display at an International Horticultural Exhibition held in Hamburg from 30 April to 11 October.
Film lecture at Pontefract
Mentions that the Commission’s Principal Assistant Secretary F.C. Sillar, Esq., C.B.E., had shown the Commission’s film at a lecture at Pontefract on 16 November 1953 and had been able to show a colour film of the unveiling of the Runnymede Memorial by the Queen for the first time.
Report of the 408th Finance Committee meeting
Item 1(a) dealt with major maintenance of the Thiepval Memorial.
Item 2 referred to the Dutch graves at Chungkai and Kanchanaburi and the cost of construction being shared by the Dutch Government.
Item 3 dealt with the permanent marking of Polish graves in the United Kingdom and in Commission plots and cemeteries overseas.
Item 4 dealt with the publication of a book of photographs of the Commission's work.
Item 5 concerned the remuneration of the Commission’s Legal Adviser.
Item 14 referred to further constructional work at Tobruk War Cemetery.
Item 17 dealt with the Architect’s fees and expenses in connection with the extension of the Halifax Naval Memorial, Nova Scotia.
Item 20 concerned improved scales of salaries in the United Kingdom and all districts.
Merchant Navy Memorial, Tower Hill
Comments regarding the latest design for the Merchant Navy Memorial 1939-1945 Extension at Tower Hill, including the suggestion for a greater expanse of grass by the Deputy Master of Trinity House and other revisions such as the omission of the Stone of Remembrance, the pool and the reduction in paving.
Memorials to the Missing – Land Forces
Resolution for the selection of a site for a memorial to the missing at Nairobi War Cemetery, Kenya instead of Mombasa.
Examination of sketch design by Sir Hubert Worthington, A.R.A., Principal Architect for North Africa, for Medjez-el-Bab War Cemetery, Tunisia.
Examination of sketch design by Sir Hubert Worthington, A.R.A., Principal Architect for North Africa, for Sfax War Cemetery, Tunisia.
Examination of sketch design by Alan Stewart, A.R.I.B.A, Architect, for Maynamati War Cemetery, Pakistan.
Examination of sketch design by Colin St. Clair Oakes, F.R.I.B.A., Principal Architect for India, Pakistan and South-East Asia, for Rangoon War Cemetery, Burma, including comments about the omission of the circular paving and flagstaff at the entrance except for a stone margin and to the addition of four seats.
Isolated burials in local cemeteries, Cyprus
Resolution that officers and men of the Cyprus Forces who are buried in local cemeteries in Cyprus be commemorated on a memorial to be erected in Nicosia War Cemetery, Cyprus.
Purchase of property at Bleriot-Plage (Calais)
Resolution for the purchase of property at Bleriot-Plage, Calais, France, by Brigadier Croxton Sillery Vale, Chief Administrative Officer, French District.
Maintenance of 15th (Scottish) Division 1939-1945 Memorial, Tourville-sur-Odon, France
Resolution for the investment of stock for the maintenance of 15th (Scottish) Division 1939-1945 Memorial at Tourville-sur-Odon, France.
Progress report for the quarter ended 30 September 1953
Mentions the Commission took note of the paper submitted.
General notes
Mentions that the Commission took note of the paper submitted.
Report of tour of Italy by General Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson, K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O.
Includes comments about the description of 1914-1918 cemeteries on the Asiago plateau, seeing German, Austrian and Italian names in the visitors’ books and other 1939-1945 cemeteries visited, including Rome War Cemetery.
Date of next meeting scheduled for Thursday 17 December 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. M.C. (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
W. Wynne Mason, Esq., M.C. (Representing the High Commissioner for New Zealand)
W.B. England, Esq., M.B.E. (Representing the High Commissioner for India)
D.K. Malone, Esq., M.B.E. (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.
Colonel The Rt. Hon. The Lord Wigram, G.C.B., G.C.V.O., D.S.I.
George Sylvester, Esq., 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) |