The Chapel of Our Lady Star of the Sea was designed by PJ O'Connor and Brophy and built by WA Medbury as a memorial to 'those men of the Royal Australian Navy who gave their lives in World War I and II'. The Foundation stone was blessed the Melbourne's Archbishop, the Most Rev. D. Mannix DD, LLD, on 6 October 1946. The builder ordered windows from Brooks, Robinson & Co. in March 1948, most to be made of 'amber quarries with a green outside border and a ruby inner border' with emblems inset, as was the case for this group in the north nave that each measured approximately 63 x 19 inches.
It is likely that the young man whom the Hawthorn CYMS sought to honour in this window was Richard Pirrie who reported for duty in the Royal Australian Navy Volunteer Reserve on 8 September 1941. Pirrie was born on 6 June 1920, the son of Richard and Elizabeth Pirrie of 20 Kinkora Road, Hawthorn and a prominent local footballer. Like many seamen, he began his naval career at HMAS Cerberus before service in several ships. He was appointed Sub-Lieutenant on 20 November 1942. He was attached to the Royal Navy's HMS Copra, where he took part in Operation Overlord, however he was reported missing presumed killed on 6 June 1944 during the allied landing in France. He was 'mentioned in despatches for gallantry, skill and devotion to duty during the allied landing in the coast of Normandy'.
References & Acknowledgements
AWM Roll of Honour; NAA: A6769, Pirrie R.
