| Content Note | Topics covered:
Modification of the Commission’s Title
Formal application submitted for the granting of a Supplemental Charter authorising that the Commission’s title be altered from “The Imperial War Graves Commission” to “The Commonwealth War Graves Commission”.
Anzac Agency: Modification of Title
Refers to the modification of the Anzac Agency’s title to “The Anzac Agency for the Pacific Region of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission”.
Secretary and Other Principal Officials of Commission-Designation
Addition of the designation “Director-General” to the Secretary to the Commission, and additional designations of “Director of External Relations and Records” to the Assistant Secretary for External Relations and “Director of Finance and Establishments” to the Assistant Secretary for the Finance and Establishment Division.
Report on Progress of Commission’s work
Publication and report of the 40th Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31st March 1959; comments concerning the continued interest of the Royal Family; the death of Frank Higginson, former Commission Secretary and Architect, and elevation of Commission Member Lord Patrick Spens to the Peerage was reported; update on delayed construction work in the Middle East, Burma and Indonesia due to political conditions, as well as the inability to maintain graves in Sudan and Iran; re-organisation and reduction of staff; compilation of Registers of war dead; comments concerning the establishment of regular systematic maintenance all over the world; improvement of horticultural maintenance; expenditure and funding for horticultural and works maintenance services, and general administration; arrangements for the Report to be placed in every public library.
Press Release
Mentions that a suitable Press release would be made after the Meeting, both in the United Kingdom and in the Commonwealth of Australia, concerning the modification of the Commission's title and that of the Commission's Anzac Agency.
Visit by Mr David Griffiths MP to a War Cemetery in Italy
Account of visit by David Griffiths, MP for Rother Valley, Yorkshire to an unnamed war cemetery in Italy.
ATTENDEES:
The Right Hon. Christopher Soames CBE MP (Secretary of State for War and Chairman of the Commission)
General Sir John Crocker GCB KBE DSO MC (Vice-Chairman of the Commission)
The Right Hon. Iain Macleod (Secretary of State for the Colonies)
The Hon. George A. Drew QC (High Commissioner for Canada)
The Right Hon. Sir Eric J. Harrison KCVO (High Commissioner for Australia)
G. R. Laking (Acting High Commissioner for New Zealand)
Dr The Hon. A. J. R. van Rhijn (High Commissioner for the Union of South Africa)
Brigadier D. G. R. Rajwade (Representing the High Commissioner for India)
Brigadier Sultan Mohammed (Representing the High Commissioner for Pakistan)
A. J. Isaac (Representing the Minister of Works)
G. O. Sylvester MP
Sir Arthur Rucker KCM, CB CBE
Admiral Sir John Edelsten GCB GCVO CBE
Air Marshal Sir Charles Guest KBE CB
General Sir Hugh Stockwell GCB KBE DSO ADC
SECRETARY
W. J. Chalmers CBE
ADVISER
Sir Edward Maufe RA FRIBA (Chief Architect and Artistic Adviser)
Also in attendance:
S. H. Field (Colonial Office)
Major-General R. W. Knights, OBE (Australia)
E. A. Broadbridge (New Zealand)
F. W. Thomashoff (South Africa)
W. Wynne Mason MC (Assistant Secretary (External Relations and Records))
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 OBE BSc (Chief Horticultural Officer)
P. J. Cook |