Subject

Soldier Sailor Airman

Text

n/a

Inscription

To the Glory of God In loving memory of V.W. Campbell. L. Daff. C.E. Smith. W.A. Symington. H.E. Symington. And in gratitude for those who served and returned in World War 2. 1939-1945

Description & History

The order for a window measuring 61 x 20 inches that depicted the three branches of the Australian forces was ordered from Brooks, Robinson & Co. by Mr. CW Hodgson on October 1951 although the window was not unveiled until the following year. It was unusual to show three uniformed servicemen in the same window, and no other example has thus far emerged. A new cartoon was drawn up but the architectural canopy and base was designed to match St. Andrew, an earlier window made for the church in 1948.

Victor William Campbell (b.1906) enlisted at Bacchus March on 26 April 1940. He was a gunner with 2/8 Field Regiment when he died from illness on 4 December the same year. Henry Ebenezer (b, 1905) and William Arthur John were the sons of William Symington and both enlisted in the 2/21 Battalion, as did Herbert Lance Daff. All three were part of the ill-fated battle for Ambon Island, Indonesia and were taken prisoner of war by the Japanese. The two brothers were presumed killed on the same day, 20 February 1942, while Daff died of illness on 29 June 1945. CE Smith may be the Lieutenant Smith of 4 Anti-Tank Regiment captured in Malaya and who died as a POW in Thailand.

References & Acknowledgements

AWM Roll of Honour; AWM Prisoner of War Records; Nominal Roll World War Two; Brooks, Robinson & Co. job books (1923-c1966).

With thanks to Ray Brown for images of the window