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Location:
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Wood Street, Hawthorn, BOROONDARA CITY, 3122
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Local Government Area:
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BOROONDARA CITY
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Heritage Type:
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Memorial Artwork, Window
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Description:
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Subject
St. George
Text
E'en as he trod that day with God So walked he from his birth In simplemess and gentleness And honour and clean mirth
Inscription
In loving memory of Geoffrey Gordon McCrae
Description & History
The window depicts St. George, Patron Saint of England, and a fitting and popular subject for commemorative windows of the First World War. George Dancey's cartoon for St. George was used over many years, with only minor variations. Major McCrae's Battalion crest was also incorporated into the base of the window alongside the inscription. Kipling's text was chosen for the memorial by Major McCrae's father, a poet and writer. The memorial window was unveiled by Brigadier-General Burston at Evensong on Lady Day, 25 March 1917. The family also erected a tablet below the window.
Geoffrey Gordon McCrae was born on 1 January 1890, son of George Gordon and Augusta McCrae, "Anchorsfield" Calvin Street, Hawthorn. When Britain announced it was at war, McCrae left the architectural firm, Klingerer and Alsop where he was articled and enlisted on 14 August 1914. He had been part of the reserve forces since September 1909 and was Captain in the 58 Infantry Battalion. His skills were immediately noted and he was appointed Captain in7 Infantry Battalion on 19 August. Thefollowing year he was promoted to Major and second-in-command. He landed at Gallipoli and was wounded in action, which saw his evacuation to Lemnos. Returning to his battalion in Junehe was slightly wounded again in mid-July and was evacuated to Alexandria, suffering from shell shock. Once again he rejoined his battalion on Gallipoli and assumed second-in-command on 30 August 1915. Posted to 60 Battalion after hospitalisation with enteric fever, he proceeded to France on 29 June 1916, and was commanding the battalion when he was killed in action on 19 July 1916 in the battle of Fromelles. The following day, the Rev. F.P. Williams officiated at his burial in Rue du Bois Military Cemetery, 4 1/2 miles south west of Armentieres. he was 26 years of age. Many months later his parents received word that Geoffrey Gordon McCrae was mentioned in the despatch of General Sir Douglas Haig for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty on more that one occasion.
References & Acknowledgements
AWM Roll of Honour; NAA: B2455, McCrae G G; Church of England Messenger, 11 August 1916, p.365, p.371, p.377; 23 March 1917, p.150; 6 April 1917, p.184; 28 December 1917, p.682.
See also Ross McMullin, Farewell Dear People, Scribe Publications, Melbourne 2012, pp. 7-103.
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Year Construction Ended:
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1917
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Conflicts Commemorated:
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First World War 1914-18
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Designers/Architects:
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Wheildon, William
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Dancey, George H
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Brooks, Robinson & Co
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