Subject

Crucifixion

Text

Greater love hath no man than this that he lay down his life for us

Inscription

[Tablet] The East Windows of this church have been erected to the glory of God and in loving memory of Sergeant R.B. Litchfield 3rd Aus Light Horse Died of wounds 17 Nov 1917 Aged 21 years

Description & History

In November 1919, the melbourne stained glass artist William Montgomery submitted a three-light design for the east window to the Reverend HC Russell, quoting a price of 65 guineas - 'Mr Williams [architect] expressed himself as very pleased with it and requested me to send it on to you.' The window did not go ahead at the time and, in May 1920, after considerable delays with the church building, Montgomery submitted a price for leadlights in the rest of the building. He quoted 4/3d per foot for leaded squares of 'cathedral' glass. 'The four lights executed according to design submitted would cost 12/6 per foot executed in cathedral, variegated, rippled and opalescent glasses', bringing the cost for these four lights to £14.3.4. As well, the church had another 14 other sashes to be filled. The delay caused the price of the east window to increase to 70 guineas and Montgomery had little chance of completing the window for 19 December as requested, writing that 'It would never do to spoil it by over haste'. An account for £98.10 was issued in February 1921; another in July for £2; and a final invoice for £123.15 was issued on 1 January 1925.

Richard Bright Litchfield was born at Mildura, son of Charles William and Florence Charlotte Belinda Litchfield. He enlisted on 10 July 1915, two months before his 19th birthday, joining the 11th Reinforcements of 8 Light Horse Regiment. He reported for duty in Heliopolis in December the same year, immediately marching out to Serapeum as part of 3rd Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron. He served in several locations in the Middle East, suffering several bouts of scabies along the way until, on 10 November 1917, he received a serious gun shot wound to his right thigh resulting in a compound bone fracture. He was transferred to the base hospital in Cairo where, despite amputation, he remained dangerously ill and died on 17 November. He was buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt on the same day after a ceremony conducted by Chaplain C. Warren Tompkins.

References & Acknowledgements

AWM Nominal Roll; Letterbooks 1/956-59, 1/996, 4/962, 4/957, 4/954-55, 4/907 NGA Research Collection, Canberra ACT. Louis R. Williams Papers MS10990, State Library of Victoria. Folio 151, 156 and 201, Montgomery ledger William Montgomery Collection, State Library of Victoria. Mildura Cultivator, 25 October 1919, p.10.

With thanks to Rod Onslow and the Rev. Paul Hannaford