| Content Note | Topics covered:
Matters arising from the Minutes of the 407th Meeting
a) Update on the expected publication date of the 38th Annual Report
b) Details of the Gardeners’ Service in Westminster Abbey attended by Head Gardener J. W. Radford, who worked in the Estaires Area
c) Presentation of the text of the Remembrance Day broadcast
d) Account of the unveiling ceremony for the Delhi Memorial, which was attended by the President of India, Sir Patrick Stens and W. J. Chalmers, Secretary of the Commission
e) Details of the delayed unveiling of the Medjez-el-Bab Memorial, which had been postponed due to severe weather conditions and rescheduled for 18th November 1957.
Report of the 452nd Meeting of the Finance Committee
Expenditures relating to the maintenance of Guards Cemetery, Les Boeufs, under special contract with Entreprise Reynes; discussion concerning the provision of pedestal foundations for bronze plaque memorials at Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery; proposed extension of the Bourail Memorial in Bourail New Zealand War Cemetery, which involved the supply of additional panels, refixing existing panels and alteration of the inscription on the Memorial.
Commonwealth-Japanese Joint Committee
Appointment of Mr P. A. G. Westlake, British Embassy Tokyo, as a Commonwealth Member and Mr Taizo Mayashi, Ministry of Finance, as a Japanese Member of the Commonwealth-Japanese Joint Committee; account of the proceedings at the first Meeting of the Committee held in Tokyo on 17th September 1957.
Weston MIll and Efford cemeteries, Plymouth
Acquisition of the exclusive rights of burial for three war graves in Weston Mill Cemetery and one war grave in Efford Cemetery, Plymouth, by the Commission.
Sale of property at Arras, France
Authorisation for the sale of the Commission’s former office premises at No. 33, rue de Grigny, Arras.
Contract for purchase of office machinery for final records of 1939-1945 war dead
Approval of the contract with Powers-Samas Accounting Machines (Sales) Limited for the supply and maintenance of ten machines and equipment required by the Commission to prepare final records of the Second World War dead.
Maintenance of Battle Exploit Memorials – Purchase of Treasury Stock
Resolution for authorisation for the maintenance of certain First World War Battle Exploit Memorials.
General Notes
Details of the annual pilgrimage arranged by the Airborne Forces Security Fund to Arnhem (Oosterbeek) War Cemetery; account of the remembrance ceremony marking the anniversary of the Battle of Alamein, which had been attended by the General Officer Commanding, Northern Zone, of the Egyptian Government and senior members of the Provincial Administration, as well as by representatives of the Governments of France, Greece and the United States; clarification regarding the upkeep of cemeteries and war graves in the Netherlands, which was maintained by the Commission, and placing of flowers by Dutch schoolchildren during ceremonies.
ATTENDEES:
General Sir John Crocker GCB KBE DSO MC (Vice-Chairman of the Commission)
E. J. B. Foxcroft (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
E. A. Broadridge (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)
S. H. Field (Representing the Secretary of State for the Colonies)
A. J. Isaac (Representing the Minister of Works)
Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore GCB DSO
The Right Hon. Sir Patrick Spens KBE GC MP
G. O. Sylvester MP
Captain Sir Harold Campbell GCVO DSO RN
Sir Arthur Rucker KCMG CB CBE
Air Marshal Sir Charles Guest KBE CB
SECRETARY
W. J. Chalmers CBE
Also in attendance:
W. Wynne Mason MC (Assistant Secretary (External Relations)
A. K. Pallot (Assistant Secretary (Finance and Establishments))
Major-General J. F. D. Steedman CBE MC (Director of Works)
H. L. Simmons LLB (Legal Adviser)
W. F. W. Harding BSc (Chief Horticultural Officer)
A. S. Laing
R. I. Mill |