TheKenyonReport-CommonwealthWarGravesCommission.doc

WAR GRAVES HOW THE CEMETERIES ABROAD WILL BE DESIGNED Report to the Imperial War Graves Commission by Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERIC KENYON, K.C.B., Director of the British Museum. LONDON ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTYS STATIONERY OFFICE. 1918. This Report was submitted in pursuance of instructions from the Imperial War Graves Commission, which, at a meeting held on the 20th November, 19I7, resolved to appoint Lieut.-Colonel Sir Frederic Kenyon, Director of the British Museum, as Adviser to the Commission. The Commission recognised that there would inevitably be considerable difference of opinion on the question how the Cemeteries abroad should be laid out, and what form of permanent memorial should be erected in them. They felt, moreover, that it was undesirable that a matter of this kind should become the subject of controversy, if it could be avoided. The appointment of Sir Frederic Kenyon, therefore, was made with a view to focussing, and, if possible, reconciling the various opinions on this subject that had found expression among the Armies at the front and the general public at home, and particularly in artistic circles. His terms of reference were as follows : Sir Frederic Kenyons duties will be to decide between the various proposals submitted to him as to the architectural treatment and laying out of cemeteries, and to report his recommendations to the Commission at the earliest possible date - 1. He will consult the representatives of the various churches and religious bodies on any religious questions involved. 2. He will report as to the desirability of forming an advisory Committee from among those who have been consulted, for the purpose of carrying out the proposals agreed upon. The Commissioners are of opinion that no distinction should be made between officers and men lying in the same cemeteries in the form or nature of the memorials. The recommendations contained in the Report were generally adopted by the Commission, and the work of con