| Content Note | Topics covered:
Matters Arising from the Minutes of the 400th Meeting: including report on the situation in the Egypt, including the expulsion of one locally engaged staff from Egypt and the disconnection of the water supply at Moascar War Cemetery by the Egyptian Military authorities; account of the unveiling ceremony for the Singapore Memorial by Governor Sir Robert Black
Report of the 445th Meeting of the Finance Committee:
Including authorisation for the Secretary to approve the expenditure of minor items and staff adjustments; agreement with Enterprise Reynes to cover the certain aspects of maintenance of cemeteries and memorials in the French Region that could not be undertaken by the Commission’s own directly employed labour; increase in costs relating to the improvement of the design and construction of Brookwood Memorial, including provision of gates for cemetery entrance near memorial; increase in pensions paid to retired members of the Commission’s staff; erection of a Cross of Sacrifice in Nord-Sel Churchyard, Norway as a special case despite only having 31 burials, with note that King Haakon, as Colonel-in-Chief of the Green Howards, a number of whom were buried in the churchyard, had taken a great interest in the graves; production of the 7th volume of the Civilian War Dead Rolls of Honour of the Second World War containing the names of those who died at sea and abroad; explanation that the educational expenses referred to in the report were those incurred overseas on the education of children of UK based members of staff
Membership of the Finance Committee:
Appointment of the High Commissioner for South Africa and Air Marshal Sir Charles Edward Neville Guest, KBE, CB, as members of the Finance Committee
Membership of the Joint Committee:
Retirement of Sir Frederick Hoyer Millar and appointment of Sir Christopher Steel as Commonwealth Honorary Member of the Commonwealth-German-French Joint Committee; retirement of Sir Mr F. Hudd, CBE, and Mr D. V. Serrurier, and appointment of Mr S. D. Pierce, OBE, and Brigadier M. G. Dewan as Commonwealth Honorary Members of the Commonwealth-Italian Joint Committee; retirement of Admiral Sir Martin E. Dunbar-Nasmith, VC, KCB, KCMG, DL, and appointment of Mr E. J. B. Foxcroft as Commonwealth Honorary Member of the Commonwealth-French Joint Committee; retirement of Mr F. Hudd, CBE, and Mr C. H. Torrance, and appointment of Mr S. D. Pierce, OBE, and Mr. F. W. Thomashoff as Commonwealth Honorary Members of the Commonwealth-Netherlands Joint Committee; retirement of Mr M. W. Errock and Mr J. Knox, and appointment of Mr M. E. Heath and Mr N. C. Stenderup as Commonwealth Honorary Members of the Commonwealth-Danish Joint Committee
Sketch design for the Gibraltar Memorial:
Authorisation for the Finance Committee to consider tenders for the construction of the Gibraltar Memorial designed by Mr W. F. Stewart, ARIBA
Purchase of Premises for Area Office, Arras, France
Authorisation for Brigadier Croxton Sillery Vale, Chief Administrative Officer, IWGC (French District) to complete purchase of new premises for IWGC Area Office at no. 60 Route de Bapaume, Achicourt
Ontario Cemetery, Orpington, Kent: Offer of an entrance gate:
The Commission accepted Mrs P. Whiting’s offer to present a wrought-iron gate to Ontario Cemetery in Orpington (All Saints) Churchyard.
Visit of Air Marshall Sir Charles Guest to Belgium and Holland:
Account of visit by Air Marshal Sir Charles Guest to Belgium and Holland, including representing the Commission at a ceremony at the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial which was attended by Hi s Majesty the King of the Belgians.
Visit of Sir Patrick Spens to East Africa:
Account of Sir Patrick Spens’ visit to Uganda and Kenya, including visits to Kampala (Nakawa Road) African Cemetery, Jinja War Cemetery, Nairobi War Cemetery, Nairobi South Cemetery, Nairobi (Forest Road) Cemetery and Gilgil War Cemetery, with specific reference to the condition of war graves in Nakuru European Cemetery and required treatment of headstones in Nairobi War Cemetery; and comments on treatment of inter-war service graves.
Visit by the Vice-Chairman to Malaya, Thailand, Burma and India:
Report of the visit of the Vice-Chairman to Malaya, Thailand, Burma and India following his attendance at the unveiling of the Singapore Memorial, including visits to Kuala Lumpur (Cheras Road) Civil Cemetery and Taiping War Cemetery; issues regarding the discolouration of bronze plaques at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery; impressions of Chungkai War Cemetery with reference to the work of the caretaker and water supply; layout of and horticultural work in Taukkyan War Cemetery; update on construction of the Rangoon Memorial and condition of Rangoon War Cemetery; regrouping of war graves in Calcutta (Bhowanipore) Cemetery; report on horticultural work in Delhi War Cemetery
Book of Remembrance of Portsmouth Civilian War Dead:
Attendance of Admiral Sir John Edelsten at a service placing a Book of Remembrance dedicated to Portsmouth Civilian War Dead, which had been specially prepared with the advice of the Commission, in Portsmouth Cathedral
ATTENDEES:
Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore GCB DSO (Vice-Chairman of the Commission)
S. D. Pierce CBE (Representing the High Commissioner for Canada)
E. J. H. Foxcroft (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
J. G. Hale (Representing the High Commissioner for New Zealand)
F. W. Thomashoff (Representing the High Commissioner for South Africa)
Brigadier M. G. Dewan (Representing the High Commissioner for India)
Captain S. M. Akhtar (Representing the High Commissioner for Pakistan)
A. J. Isaac (Representing the Minister of Works)
Rt. Hon. Sir Patrick Spens KBE GC MP
George Sylvester MP
General Sir John Crocker GCB KBE DSO MC
Sir Arthur Rucker KCMG CB CBE
Admiral Sir John Edelsten GCB GCVO CBE
Air Marshal Sir Charles Guest KBE CB
Also in attendance:
W. Wynne Mason, MC (Assistant Secretary (External Relations))
A. K. Pallot (Assistant Secretary (Finance and Establishments))
Brigadier N. E. V. Patterson OBE (Principal Deputy Director of Works)
P. T. Fitzgerald (Legal Assistant)
A. S. Laing
R. I. Mill |