Subject

Faithful Knight

Text

Faithful Unto Death On Earth Peace

Inscription

[Plaque] These windows To the Glory of God and in memory of Charles Vaughan. Sergeant Australian Imperial Regt. Killed in action 18th February 1901. at Haartebeestfontein South Africa. Aged 32 Erected by his Brothers and Sisters

Description & History

All Saints' Anglican Church, then known as Wycliffe Church, was opened on Sunday 20 January 1861 by the Reverend HN Wollaston, who had replaced the first Vicar, the Reverend Postlethwaite the previous year. The building was designed and supervised by Ballarat architect, HR Caselli and the Learmonth Historical Society has his plans drawn on silk in its collection. The designer and maker of this two-light window is unknown, however it has similarities with the style of William Wheildon and George Dancey. If indeed their work, it would rank among their earliest collaborations as Wheildon only joined the firm as its stained glass artist in 1905. The two stained glass Boer War memorials in All Saints' Church commemorate two men of the district who joined completely different units, but who ultimately fought in the same battle at Haartebeestefontein (also spelt Hartbeestfontien) and died within days of each other.

Charles Vaughan, the son of a local landowner, William Vaughan, was educated at Ballarat College and then Trinity College, University of Melbourne, where he studied engineering for three years before ill-health forced his retirement to manage his father's estate. He joined the 4th Imperial Bushmen where his horsemanship was a valuable asset. One report of his death suggested that he received 'a ball to the thigh, and fell, but, determined to fight to the end, he gallantly struggled to a sitting position and continued to fire until he was shot through the heart.' He was so much esteemed by the local population of Learmonth that the residents erected an obelisk in Main Street to pay tribute to his sacrifice.

References & Acknowledgements

Argus, 27 April 1901, p.6; Euroa Advertiser, 1 March 1901, p.3; Reporter, 1 March 1901, p.3; http://www.bwm.org.au; www.cerchi.net/wycliffe/drawings.html

Photographs: Ray J Brown 2013