Worcestershire Cathedral - Memorial Window to the Regimental and Colours

Inside the Cathedral, in the West wall of the North Choir Transept, i.e. in the wall of the Chapel of St. George, looking down on the Altar is the wonderful "Memorial Window, to the Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Men of the County and City of Worcester, and of The Worcestershire Regiment, who gave their Lives in the Great War."

The Window was unveiled on 11th November 1921, by the nonagenarian Colonel of the Regiment, General Sir George Higginson, G.C.B., who was accompanied by General Sir Neville Lyttelton, General Sir Robert Scallon, G.C.B., K.C.I.E., D.S.O., Major-General G. E. Cayley, C.B., D.S.O., Admiral Cuming, C.B.E., D.S.O., Colonel the Viscount Deerhurst, Colonel H. Howard (representing the Territorial Army), Colonel S. Featherstonhaugh (representing the Militia), Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable C. J. Coventry (representing the Yeomanry), Major J. M. Reddie, C.B., and Major Biscoe. The detachment of The Worcestershire Regiment from the Depot was commanded by Major H. St. J. Jefferies, D.S.O., other officers being Captain and Adjutant A. M. Martin-Smith, Captain H. F. Stacke, M.C., and Lieutenant N. B. J. Will. The 7th and 8th Battalions were respectively in charge of Captain Pilkington and Lieutenant N. Parker.

The description of the design of the Window, given by Mr. J. Eadie Reid, the artist, is:

"The idea is that the Christ—the Supreme Sacrifice—is reigning from the Cross. The Eucharist is in the Church the witness of that Sacrifice. The Angel on the left holds the Cup of Pain and Suffering, while the Angel on the right carries the Crown of Life and Triumph of Victory over Death."

At the base is the shield with the emblem of The Worcestershire Regiment, flanked by the Royal Standard and Union Jack with laurels. The tracery shews Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary, with her Child as in the Cathedral Arms—and Angels with trumpets, "The sound of their fame went to the four corners of the earth." On either side are shown—Private, Officer, Flying Man, Sailor, Nurse and Doctor. The lower three panels represent Worcestershire men in action.

 

Colours of the Worcestershire Regiment on the West Wall of St. George's Chapel
Hanging between the Memorial Windows (photo by Chris Perkins)
(Colours of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th Battalions and the Worcester Militia)

Colours of the Worcestershire Regiment on the West Wall of St. George's Chapel
(Colours of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th Battalions and the Worcester Militia)
Hanging between the Memorial Windows (photo by Chris Perkins)

 

St. George's Chapel North Wall
Colours of the 7th and 8th Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment
(photo by Peter Rose)

 

(photo by Chris Perkins)

 

(photo by Chris Perkins)