The window of the Good Shepherd commemorated a family, Mrs. And Mrs. Robert Booth of 'Glasford', 30 Stirling Street, Footscray and their son Eric, who was killed in the First World War. The memorial window was unveiled by Melbourne's Archbishop Joseph John Booth (1886-1965) during the Remembrance Day service on Sunday 6 November 1949. Archbishop Booth was an appropriate choice. As a young orphaned emigrant from Yorkshire, Joseph Booth settled in Footscray in 1910 and was welcomed into St. John's congregation where he undoubtedly knew the Booth family. He later served as Chaplain to 8 Battalion on the Western Front in 1917 and was awarded the Military Cross for his courage at Lagincourt and Queant in April the same year; during the Second World War, he served as senior chaplain in the Middle East. Both Eric's and Joseph John Booth's names are recorded on the St. John's Honour Roll, along with another of Eric's three brothers, Harry.
Eric Robert Booth was born on 25 October 1891 and a student mechanical engineer serving as a Corporal in the 34 Engineers when he enlisted on 23 March 1915. He embarked at Melbourne on HMAT Ascanius on 10 November 1915 with 29 Battalion. In July 1916, at the battle of Fromelles, Lieutenant Booth received a severe gun shot wound to the right leg that required hospital treatment in England but after some weeks he returned to his unit, promoted to Captain. During the German defence of the Hinderburg Line at Beaumetz in March 1917, he was killed in action and buried at the Beaumetz Cross Roads Cemetery, Beaumetz-les-Cambrai, near Bapaume.
References & Acknowledgements
AWM Roll of Honour; NAA: B2455, Booth ER; Argus, 5 November 1949, p.8; K.A.R. Horn, 'Booth, Joseph John (1886-1965), ADB, MUP, 1993; Advertiser 12 January 1918, p.2; Independent 7 April 1917, p.2; Parish of St. John the Evangelist, Footscray, Victoria: centenary celebrations of the Anglican Church in Footscray District 1855-1955, St. John's Vestry, 1988.
With thanks to Marilyn Richards, Honorary Secretary and other members of the congregation at St. John's Anglican Church, Footscray.
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