Stained Glass of Percy Bacon

North Aisle 1: War memorial to the fallen of the Great War. 1920.

NA1: War Memorial. Photo © Paul Danaher

Posted 06 November 2024.

The intra-war years between 1914 and 1918 were lean times for Percy Bacon and Brothers, probably as a result of wartime deprivations, paucity of cash, and an understandable lack of enthusiasm for church decoration. During those four years only around forty new windows are known to have been executed by the firm. However, post-war, and with the new firm of Percy Bacon Limited established in 1917, there was a significant growth in orders, especially after 1919, with a great many being memorials to the fallen. This window, executed in 1920, is no exception.

The window of three lights and simple tracery is dedicated to the memory of those who gave their lives in the Great War, 1914 - 1918. The dedication reads:

In the three lights are the standing figures of St George, St Michael, and St Nicholas. George as warrior knight in armour, and Michael holding a flaming sword in his right hand and a sword in his left being the sign of the cross. St Nicholas is attired as Bishop and holds a model boat. These figures represent Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors respectively. In the quatrefoil tracery lights demi angels hold shields with arma christi; a crown of thorns, the scourge and sponge, and the nails and ropes which bound Christ to the cross.

The window was unveiled and dedicated at an armistice day ceremony led by the rector, Rev. Canon E. C. Kerwan, in 1920.¹

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North Aisle 2: Memorial to Lt John Brownrigg. 1915.

NA2: War Memorial.
Photo © Paul Danaher

Posted 06 November 2024.

This single lancet is another memorial to a fallen soldier, Lt. John Huleatt Brownrigg, who was killed in action in the Persian Gulf on 14th April 1915.²

The dedication reads:

The window represents "Victory through Sacrifice": A soldier in medieval armour kneels before the crucified Christ, both having paid the ultimate price. In the predella, a shield with the arms of Brownrigg, and the words, "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mort" (It is sweet and fair to die for one's country).

The window was unveiled and dedicated on 14th September 1915.³

The window is unsigned.

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1. Surrey Times and County Express Sat, 13 Nov 1920, p5.
2. Surrey Advertiser, Saturday 18th September 1915, p11. Report on the dedication ceremony.
3. Ibid.