| Content Note | Topics covered:
New Zealand High Commissioner, Defence Secretary’s Representative and Australian Representative
Chairman's welcome to Mr Walding as the new High Commissioner for New Zealand, and Mr Blelloch and Mr Maher, both of whom were attending a meeting of the Commission for the first time.
Dr V A Seyid Muhammad
Announcement of the death of Dr Seyid Muhammad, a recent Indian High Commissioner to London and as such a member of the Commission.
Honours and Awards
Mr John Paton, the Commission's Director of Horticulture, had been appointed an Officer.
Mr Tom King, Area Horticultural Officer, North West Europe Area, had been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire.
Major-General K M Pickersgill, Quarter-Master General of the South African Defence Force and a member of the Commission's South African Agency Committee, had been awarded the Star of South Africa.
Appointment and Resignation
Appointment of Mr Pierre Sicard as Deputy Minister, veterans Affairs Canada, and resignation of Mr Peter Young from the post of Director of the Office of Australian War Graves and Ms Veronica Wright had again been appointed Acting Director.
Matters arising from the Minutes of the 559th Meeting
Update on the signing of the proposed UK-GDR War Graves agreement.
Update on the proposed unveiling of the Polish Memorial at Brookwood.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission – Superannuation Scheme – amendments to rules
Agreement to making such modifications, alterations, or additions to the Rules of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Superannuation Scheme (1952) necessary to give effect to the provisions set out in paragraph 1 of the paper presented to the meeting, and request to the Trustees of the Scheme to amend the rules accordingly.
Insurance
Approval of changes to the Commission’s insurance including that of the items listed as voluntary insurance in the paper, that insurance should be maintained only for public and products liability worldwide, fire, lightning, aircraft, explosion and other perils to the Commission buildings and contents, consequential loss because of damage to Commission premises in the United Kingdom, comprehensive cover for vehicles in the United Kingdom, and that the other policies should not be renewed.
Commissioners – Accident or Injury Whilst on Commission Duty
Clarification of the way that non-official Commissioners and honorary advisers are to be compensated in the event of an accident or injury whilst on Commission duty.
Report of the 600th Meeting of the Finance Committee
Approval of the report, including an increase by the United Kingdom Treasury to the provision in the Public Expenditure Survey (PES) to support the Commission's estimates for 1985/86.
Unmaintainable Graves in the United Kingdom – Alternative Commemoration
Approval of the alternative commemoration of 11 war dead.
Annual Report of Exhumations and Reinterments
Note taken of the Annual Report of Exhumations and Reinterments: 1984.
Execution of Documents
Confirmation of the action for the execution of the Documents contained in the Schedule of Documents Executed by or on behalf of the Commission Between 1 December 1984 and 28 February 1985.
Tours by Head Office Officials
Summary of Tours by Head Office Officials, including Mr Gomme's visit to the Falkland Islands, the Secretary's visit to the Indian subcontinent.
Other Business
Including the views of members on the style of presentation now used for the minutes of their meetings.
Mr Peter Scott's decision to relinquish his appointment as the Commission's Honorary Consultant Engineer after fourteen years, with no replacement proposed.
His Excellency the Honourable Donald Jamieson, the Canadian High Commissioner, would be leaving London shortly, to be replaced by Mr Roy McMurtry in May
Mentions the retirement of Mr Peter Cook after thirty-four years as Director of North West Europe Area and earlier as Chief Finance Officer.
Attendees:
Air Chief Marshall Sir John Barraclough KCB CBE DFC AFC FRSA (Vice-Chairman of the Commission) in the Chair
Mr J. N. H. Blelloch CB (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 L. B. Maher (Representing the High Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Australia)
His Excellency the Honourable Joseph Walding (High Commissioner for New Zealand)
Mr L. H. Evans (Representing the Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa)
Brigadier S. Nambiar Vr C (Representing the High Commissioner for the Republic of India)
Sir Edward Gardner QC MP
Sir Edward Goschen Bt DSO
Admiral Sir David Williams GCB DL
Sir David Muirhead KCMG CVO
Sir Donald Maitland GCMG OBE
Baroness McFarlane of Llandaff
ADVISER:
Professor E. A. Bell PhD FLS CChem FRSC (Honorary Botanical Adviser)
SECRETARY:
Sir Arthur Hockaday KCB CMG (Director-General)
Also in attendance:
Mr P.R. Matthew (Assistant Secretary, Deputy Director-General)
Mr J. Saynor JP (Assistant Secretary, Assistant Director-General (Administration))
Mr R.W.J. Symons OBE (Assistant Secretary, Assistant Director-General (Operations))
Mr H. Westland MIPM (Establishment Officer)
Mr P.H. M. Swan (Director of External Relations)
Mr J.B. Paton OBE NDH (Director of Horticulture)
Mr N.B. Osborn ARICS (Director of Works)
Mr G.C. Reddie (Legal Adviser and Solicitor)
Mr S.G. Campbell MC (Director of Information and Secretariat)
Mr G.A. Cheater (Director Outer Area)
Mr M.S. Johnson ACMA (Chief Finance Officer)
Mr B.P. McGee (Secretariat) |