In June 1950 the Reverend CHD Pilkington placed an order for six 'plain' windows for the nave and porch of St. John's Church, Lang Lang that were unveiled and dedicated by Bishop Blackwood on 8 October 1950. Each window was made up of quarries with an appropriate emblem inserted in the upper central space of the light. The porch window had a cross and three of the nave windows held the AIF badge, Navy crest and the badge of the RAAF. The other lights held the Dove of Peace, the Crown and Palm a symbol of Victory and Peace, and Crown and Cross, Victory over Death. Originally the windowswere lancet-shaped but they were modified when installed in the new church at Lang Lang designed by the diocesan architect, Louis R Williamsand opened in 1959.
One of the windows was given in memory of Leonard Victor Scammell (1898-1945) who was an 'Old Contemptible' who served with the Australian Auxillary Horse Transport in the Second World War.
The Army memorial was dedicated to Stanley Arthur Jackson (b.7 June 1940) and Douglas Kenyon Jackson (b. 9 October 1918) who joined 2/21 Battalion only a few months apart in 1940. After training at Bonegilla and Darwin, they embarked with the battalion for overseas on 13 December 1941. Only two months later the two were reported missing on Ambon and later presumed dead at Laha. They are commemorated on the Ambon Memorial, Indonesia. A third of the four brothers, Alan served with with 2/2 Pioneers AIF.
References & Acknowledgements
AWM Roll of Honour; NAA: B883, VX48414; NAA: B883, VX38949; NAA: B883, VX101272; Argus, 5 October 1945, p.10; 7 December 1945, p.5; D. Eric Kent and Bette M. Kent, Beams of Light: 125 years of the Anglican Church of St. John the Evangelist, Lang Lang, 1999; Brooks, Robinson & Co. job books (1923-c1966)
With thanks to Tim Gibson, Honorary Archivist, Anglican Diocese of Gippsland, Vic. and Lyn Wealands, parishioner and Secretary, Lang Lang Historical Society.
