[Plaque] George Pollard Kay Flight Commander 46th Squadron RFC Killed in France 29th June 1917 Their name liveth for evermore
Description & History
George Pollard Kay attended Trinity Grammar School, Kew (1906-1912)
before attending Geelong Grammar School, where a similar window
picturing St. Michael had been installed by his parents in
1919. Stained glass artist William Montgomery designed both windopws
and for Holy Trinity he prepared a watercolour and sepia ink sketch on
paper, mounted on card, that is now held in the William Montgomery
Collection at the State Library of Victoria. There were always small
differences between the sketch and the finished window as the design
was enlarged to full sized cartoon. In addition to the window, Mr Kay
also commissioned a plaque. The Memorial window was unveiled by the
Headmaster of Geelong Grammar, the Rev. Dr. FE Brown, on Sunday 26
June, 1921.
George Pollard Kay, known as 'Bob', travelled to England to fulfil
his ambition to enlist in the Royal Flying Corps. 46 Squadron, which
Bob Kay joined,was formed in April 1916 and moved to France in
November of that year under the command of MajorPhilip Babington. A
photo taken of the Squadron at Droglandt shows Kay standing tall in
the back row, next to another pilot, MacDonald who also lost his
life.Kay was killed when after climbing to about 1000 feet, his
aeroplane inexplicably 'spun right into the ground', as notedin his
commanding officer's report. Flight Commander Kay had been promoted
Captain shortly before his death and was considered by Major Babington
as 'one of the finest pilots he had ever known, and a magnificent
officer'. He was buried at La Gorgue Communal Cemetery, France. His
father, Mr. GA Kay of 'd'Estaville', Kew, publishedan account of his
life in the Royal Flying Corps asa book, Letters from Bob and
arranged for this memorial, and the earlier one at his old school
where he had excelled asan outstanding leader,scholar and athlete.
References & Acknowledgements
Church of England Messenger
, 13 July 1917, p.368; 8 July 1921, p.334; 22 July 1921, p.348;
Geraldine McFarlane, Memories in Glass
, 2004, pp.29-30. Edwin Adamson, photograph of watercolour sketch of
'St. Michael'; Montgomery sketch of St. Michael
; Folio 155 and 157 Montgomery ledger; William Montgomery Collection
State Library of Victoria.
