| Content Note | Topics discussed:
General Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson
Mentions that General Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson had resigned from the Commission following a serious operation.
Approval and signature of the 388th Commission meeting minutes
a) Visit to the Anzac Agency by the Vice-Chairman
b) Letter from Mr Kent Hughes confirming appointment of Mr. Allen Fairhall as his successor as Chairman of the Anzac Agency
c) Brief account of the unveiling of the East Africa Memorial by General Sir Alan Cunningham.
Report of the 433rd Finance Committee meeting
Item 1: Revision of sketch design of Schoonselhof Cemetery, Antwerp, including omission of the Stone of Remembrance.
Item 4: Mr W.F.W. Harding would be coming to Head Office as Chief Horticultural Officer, a new appointment, and also Mr R.G. Wall and Mr R.D. Hogg were being appointed Horticultural Officers in the French and North-West European Districts respectively.
Appointment of members to the Commonwealth-French Joint Committee
Refers to the appointment of Monsieur Ie Medecin General Hamon, Inspecteur Technique des Services Medicaux d'Hygiene et d'Epidemiologie be appointed an Official Member of the Commonwealth-French Joint Committee, upon the retirement of Monsieur Ie Medecin General O. Ferrabouc.
Examination of sketch design by Mr H.E. Jenner, A.R.I.B.A., for Narvik New Cemetery, Norway.
Klagenfurt War Cemetery, Austria
Refers to the War Graves Agreement for Klagenfurt War Cemetery, Austria at the request of the Austrian Government.
Weston Mill Cemetery, Plymouth
Resolution for the signing and affixation of the Commission’s seal on the Deed of Grant by the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Citizens of the City of Plymouth of exclusive rights of burial in a war grave (No. 17934) of the 1939-1945 War in the Weston Mill Cemetery, Plymouth, Devonshire.
Progress report for the quarter ended 31 December 1955
Mentions that of the total requirement of thirty-six memorials to those who have no known grave, twenty-one had been constructed, six were in progress and nine remained to be built. Also lists memorials where construction was yet to commence and mentions 93.7 per cent of headstones were permanently marked.
General notes
The Secretary Sir Frank Higginson, Esq., C.B., C.M.G., mentions that since the Paper had been prepared, he had received additional particulars of visitors to the cemeteries in the Middle Eastern and India, Pakistan and South-East Asia Districts. Figures for the Egypt Area were 1,125 and for the Iraq/Syria Area 337. Some 770 people had visited Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore, and two visitors were reported to have gone to Thanbyuzayat Cemetery, where it was difficult for the Commission’s own supervisors to reach without due notice.
Handing over of the Roll of Honour of Civilian War Dead to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster
Refers to the arrangements for handing over of the Roll of Honour of Civilian War Dead to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster and subsequent arrangements for allowing access to relatives and members of the public.
Public comments made by the General Secretary of the British Legion on the maintenance of isolated war graves overseas
Discussion regarding public criticisms of the Commission's work by the General Secretary of the British Legion at the Annual Conference of the Legion's Eastern Area held in London.
Date of next meeting scheduled for Thursday 15 March 1956 at 11:00am.
ATTENDEES:
General Sir John Crocker, G.C.B., K.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (In the Chair)
Frederic Hudd, Esq., C.B.E. (Representing the High Commissioner for Canada)
J.M. Henderson, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
J.G. Hale, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for New Zealand)
D.V. Serrurier, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for South Africa)
Captain S.M. Akhtar (Representing the High Commissioner for Pakistan)
W.D. Sweaney, Esq. (Representing the Secretary of State for the Colonies)
A.J. Isaac, Esq. (Representing the Minister of Works)
George Sylvester, Esq., M.P.
Sir Arthur N. Rucker, K.C.M.G., C.B., C.B.E.
Admiral Sir John Edelsten, G.C.B., G.C.V.O., C.B.E.
SECRETARY:
Sir Frank Higginson, Esq., C.B., C.M.G.
ADVISERS:
Sir Edward Maufe, Esq., R.A. (Chief Architect and Artistic Adviser)
Also in attendance:
F.C. Sillar, Esq., C.B.E. (Principal Assistant Secretary)
W.J. Chalmers, Esq., C.B.E. (Assistant Secretary)
Major-General J.F.D. Steedman, C.B.E., M.C. (Director of Works)
H.L. Simmons, Esq. LL.B (Legal Adviser)
A.K. Pallot, Esq. (Chief Assistant Establishment Officer)
O.D. Holt, Esq., (Principal, Secretarial Branch) |