Subject

Ascension of Our Lord

Text

[on plaque] 'Lo I am with you always Even unto the end of the world'

Inscription

Plaque: To the glory of God and in loving memory of Charles Edward Murray Puckle 2nd Lieut. 11th Battalion A.I.F. killed in action at Gallipoli, July 31st, 1915 Aged 28 years

Description & History

In 1916 Mrs. Murray Puckle had installed the Resurrection window in memory of her husband and in 1921 she proposed a companion window, The Ascension for her son, the late Lieutenant Murray Puckle, killed at Gallipoli. Stained glass artist, William Montgomery, regretted the need to charge more for this later window, citing the additional figures in the window and increased costs of post-war production which had been steadily escalating since 1917. The window was delayed because of changes to the images required by the vicar, the Reverend Dr. Law. In March 1922, Montgomery promised Mrs. Puckle that a start on the full scale cartoons would be made as soon as the Registry [at the Cathedral] returned the design. The unveiling and dedication were conducted by the Reverend JS Drought, son of the previous vicar, on Sunday 8 October 1922. An account for £66.0.0 was forwarded to Mrs. Puckle on 1 September 1922 and was paid in full on 2 October.

Charles Edward Murray Puckle was a 'farmer and grazier' in Western Australia when he enlisted on 5 September 1914, aged 27. He joined 11 Battalion, 3 Brigade and took part in the landing at Gallipoli, but was taken to a hospital ship with a bruised hand that developed an abcess a few weeks later; he was evacuated to No. 2 General Hospital (Ghezireh) Cairo on 28 May. Puckle was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 1 July 1915 shortly after rejoining his unit. The gallant work of Puckle and other officers, NCOs and men in connection with the taking of a Turkish trench on 31 July received the compliments of the Army Corps Commander. He was killed in action on 3 August 1915 and buried at Shell Green Cemetery at Gallipoli, after a service conducted by Chaplain TR Robertson. In 1967, his former fiancee, now Mrs. Esther Russell (she married his grazing partner), applied for Charles Puckle's Anzac Medal, in the knowledge that his parents and brothers were many years deceased.

References & Acknowledgements

AWM Roll of Honour; NAA: B2455, Puckle Charles Edward Murray; Church of England Messenger, No.889, 12 October 1922, p.508; Letterbooks 4/895, 4/824 NGA Research Collection, Canberra ACT.Folio 168, Montgomery ledger William Montgomery Collection, State Library of Victoria.