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Brigadier S Nambiar
Brigadier S Nambiar was welcomed for the first time as representing the Indian High Commissioner.
New Commissioners
Welcome to Sir Donald Maitland and Baroness McFarlane as succession Commissioners.
Mr J Saynor
Congratulations to Mr Saynor upon being appointed a Justice of the Peace.
Office of Australian War Graves
The Hon Lance Barnard, Director of the Office of Australian War Graves, had retired. Ms Veronica Wright had been acting his post.
Deaths
Three serving deaths were reported.
Vice-Chairman of the Commission
Extension of appointment of Air Chief Marshall Sir John Barraclough as Vice-Chairman of the Commission.
Minutes of the 554th Meeting of the Commission
Rewording of an item about rehabilitation work on Beirut 1939-45 War Cemetery, Beirut British War Cemetery and Sidon War Cemetery with cost limits; cancellation of visits of the Area Officer and works teams to the Lebanon; a comment on graves not within the Commission's control.
Annual Estimates of Expenditure
Revised estimates for 1983/84 and 1984/85 were approved, and rates of exchange fluctuations were discussed. The balance of the ''property account'' was to be transferred to general purposes, member government comments, and others. Mr Gomme commented upon exchange rate assumptions, compared to those of the Property Services Agency.
Report of the 595th meeting of the Finance Committee
Included a staffing reduction, a pension increase, Thiepval Memorial refacing, and the sale of the front and rear parts of Route de Bapaume property in Arras.
Membership of the Finance Committee
Sir David Maitland was to succeed Sir John Winnifrith as a member of the Finance Committee.
Commonwealth War Graves Superannuation Scheme (1952) – Appointment of New Trustee
Sir Alfred John Digby Winnifrith had resigned as a Trustee of the Superannuation Scheme and Sir Donald James Dundas Maitland was nominated as a Trustee of the Scheme.
Proposed War Graves Agreement with the German Democratic Republic
A discussion about a proposed War Graves agreement with the German Democratic Republic (GDR) included seven years of unsuccessful negotiation, definitions of maintenance levels, a successful visit by GOC Berlin to Stahndorf, visits may lead to GDR-Commission understanding, and further discussion without commitment to GDR terms.
Kohima War Cemetery
A scheme to permanently light parts of Kohima War Cemetery, costs to the State Government of Nagaland, and plans.
Appointment of member of the South African Agency
Mr R Mostert was appointed a member of the South Africa Agency.
Commonwealth-Foreign Joint Committees
Four members to be appointed to the Commonwealth-Foreign Joint Committees were named, with their credentials.
Graves Not Within the Commission’s Control – United Kingdom
17 UK war graves were classified as not within the Commission's control. An explanation of the classification was given.
Unmaintainable Graves – United Kingdom: Harborne (St Peter) Churchyard, Birmingham
A special memorial headstone was approved at Harbone Churchyard, Birmingham.
Unmaintainable Graves – South Africa: Upington Cemetery, Cape Province
Approval to commemorate 35 men in Upington Cemetery, Cape Province, South Africa. Scattered burials, mostly, not to be disturbed; documents were executed.
Tours by Head Office officials
Visit by the Secretary to the American Battle Monuments Commission and Arlington National Cemetery, in the United States of America as well as Canada where he had seen the work of the Commission's Canadian Agency and had held discussions with Canadian government officials in Ottawa, and in Charlotte Town, Prince Edward Island.
Discussions with the Commissioner for Official Languages were leading to a bi-lingual basis in some French cemeteries; also discussions with Veteran Affairs Canada about arrangements for the Canadian Memorial site at Vimy and the Newfoundland Memorial Park, horticulture, structural maintenance, security and crowd control responsibilities.
Visit by the Chairman to sites in Gibraltar, France and Switzerland.
Visit by Professor Bell to a grave in Rufisque, and several in Dakar, all in good condition.
Broadcast made by the Prime Minister of New Zealand which was played at the meeting.
Costs and funding for a new up-ended edition of ''The Unending Vigil''.
Attendance by the Commission’s President at the Gardener's Service.
Christmas and New Year
Christmas and New Year messages were placed on record.
Attendees:
Air Chief Marshal Sir John Barraclough, K.C.B., C.B.E., D.F.C., A.F.C., F.R.S.A. (Vice-Chairman of the Commission) in the Chair
Mr E. Broadbent, C.B., C.M.G. (Representing the Secretary of State for Defence)
Mr R.A. Gomme (Representing the Minister for Housing and Construction)
Mr A.N. Lever (Representing the High Commissioner for Canada)
Mr K.J. McCloskey (Representing the High Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Australia)
His Excellency The Honourable W.L. Young (High Commissioner for New Zealand)
Mr L.H. Evans (Representing the Ambassador of South Africa)
Brigadier S. Nambiar (Representing the High Commissioner for India)
Sir Edward Gardner, Q.C., M.P.
The Lord Wallace of Coslany
Sir Edward Goschen, Bt., D.S.O.
General Sir Robert Ford, G.C.B., C.B.E.
Sir David Muirhead, K.C.M.G., C.V.O.
Sir Donald Maitland, G.C.M.G., O.B.E.
Professor The Baroness McFarlane of Llandaff
ADVISERS:
Mr Peter Scott, B.Sc., F.I.C.E. (Honorary Consultant Engineer)
Professor Sir Peter Shepheard, C.B.E., B.Arch., P.R.I.B.A., M.R.T.P.I., P.P.I.L.A. (Honorary Artistic Adviser)
Professor E.A. Bell, PhD., F.L.S., C.Chem., F.R.S.C. (Honorary Botanical Adviser)
SECRETARY:
Sir Arthur Hockaday, K.C.B., C.M.G. (Director-General)
Also in attendance:
Mr P.R. Matthew (Assistant Secretary, Deputy Director-General)
Mr J. Saynor, J.P. (Assistant Secretary, Assistant Director-General (Administration))
Mr W.J. Symons, O.B.E. (Assistant Secretary, Assistant Director-General (Operations))
Mr H. Westland, M.I.P.M. (Establishment Officer)
Mr P.H.M. Swan (Director of External Relations)
Mr J.B. Paton, N.D.H. (Director of Horticulture)
Mr N. B. Osborn, A.R.I.C.S. (Director of Works)
Mr G.C. Reddie (Legal Adviser and Solicitor)
Mr S.G. Campbell, M.C. (Director of Information and Secretariat)
Mr D. Kennedy (Director, Outer Area)
Mr T.F. Penfold (Chief Finance Officer)
Mr S.A. Walker (Secretariat) |