Memorial

Stained Glass Window 1914-18 Grammar School

Darlington

Memorial Name: Stained Glass Window 1914-18 Grammar School (D40.020)

NEWMP Ref No.: D40.020

Parish: Darlington

Original Location:

Darlington Grammar School.

In south wall of the school hall.

Present Location:

This is now Queen Elizabeth VIth Form College

Which War:

1914-18

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

Unveiled 2nd February 1921 by Major-Gen. Sir P.S. Wilkinson, KCMG., CB.;
Rededicated 11th November 1994 by Air Chief Marshall Sir David Parry-Evans, G.C.B.; C.B.E.

Inscription:

Across bottom of all the windows:
“These memorials were placed in this school in recognition of masters and boys of Darlington Grammar School who served their King and Country and in grateful thanks to former pupils who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1919.”

Memorial Description:

Three stained glass windows each of three lights, illustrated as follows:

East window
This represents Chivalry, the figure being St. George.
a. Martin Frobisher; Arms of Canada; Paschendale, Ypres, Arras, Somme, Doura, Salonika, Adige, Egypt; Arms of New Zealand.
b. “So keep I fair thro Faith and Prayer; a virgin heart in work or will”; St. George; “A verry parfit gentil knight”
c. Sir Perceval; Arms of Australia, Mesopotamia, E. Africa, S.W. Africa, Cameroons, Murmansk; Arms of S. Africa.

Centre window
This represents the Earl of Westmorland receiving the School Charter from Queen Elizabeth. The seal is prominent and lesser panels indicate religion and learning.
a. Literature; Earl of Westmorland
b. School badge; Queen Elizabeth
c. Religion; John Pilkington, Bishop of Durham.

West window
This represents Power, the figure being St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors.
a. Francis Drake; Arms of India, Heligoland, Jutland, Falkland Islands, Coronel, Zeebrugge; Arms of Newfoundland.
b. Anchor; St. Nicholas; “Heaven is so near by water as by land”.
c. Sir Galahad; Arms of Straits Settlements, Dardanelles, Scapa Flow, Dover, Imbros, Dogger Bank, Ostend; Arms of West Indies.

Names:

None

Notes:

1. From the school, over 400 boys served.

2. This was rededicated 11th November 1994. There had been a fire in the school in 1987 and the funds received allowed for the window to be restored.

3. The Rededication Programme reads: “This Service is based on the Window Unveiling Service of 2nd February 1921, commemorating the 401 members of the school who gave their lives in the First World War. We now remember also the 102 Old Boys who gave their lives in the Second World War”.

Sources:

Photos: Simon Raine

Darlington and Stockton Times (North)
05/02/1921 reports unveiling;
19/11/1994 reports rededication

Northern Echo
15/11/1994 reports rededication.