Subject

LH St. George RH St. Alban

Text

n/a

Inscription

A.M.D.G. In memory of Kenneth McGeorge Ronald Killed in action Gallipoli 12th July 1915.

Description & History

Early in January 1917 stained glass artist, William Montgomery (1850-1927) began preparing a scheme for the seven two-light windows in Geelong Grammar's Chapel of All Saints, in response to the Headmaster Dr. FE Brown's direction.Memorial windowswere installed at intervals over the next five years. St George and St Alban set the theme of protectors and martyrs of the Church that was evident throughout the cycle of windows. In his original sketch for this window Montgomery included a scroll held by Angels in the central tracery but this was replaced with the cross, palm and crown, which strengthened the symbolism of martyrdom and victory over death. The dragon, omitted by Montgomery in order to simplify the composition, was re-introduced in the final design of St George. The window was unveiled by the Bishop of Ballarat on 3 December 1917 and Dr. Brown wrote to the artist '... we are all very pleased with the window. It is a thing of beauty which should be a joy and inspiration to generations of Geelong Grammar School boys...'.

Kenneth McGeorge Ronald was a 19 year old student from Nap Nap, Hay, NSW when he, like many boys from rural areas, enlisted in the Light Horse. Trooper Ronald sailed from Sydney on 12 December 1914 with the 6 Light Horse Regiment, AIF and was killed at Gallipoli on 12 July 1915. He was buried the same day at Shell Green, Anzac Cove by the principal Chaplain, the Reverend G Robertson.

References & Acknowledgements

AWM Roll of Honour; NAA: B2455, Ronald Kenneth McGeorge; Montgomery Letterbook No.1, 645. 1/659. 1/664. 1/715, NGA Research Collection, canberra ACT; Letters from Rev. Dr. FE Brown, 4 December 1917, 14 December 1917; William Montgomery Collection MS15414 State Library of Victoria.