Subject

Crown of Life

Text

Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a Crown of Life Rev. II.10.

Inscription

[Plaque] In loving memory of W. J. Mountain Jnr. Killed in Action at Ypres, 1917

Description & History

In September 1927, the Reverend Dr. Hunter, minister at St. John's Presbyterian Church, Essendon, ordered a series of eleven windows from Brooks, Robinson & Co. including Crown of Life, possibly with the intention od seeing them in place in time for the 75th anniversary of the congregation. A new cartoon was drawn up by Vincente Brun (dates unknown), a freelance artist who was better known in Melbourne for his portraiture, probably from a design by William Wheildon (1873-1941).

William John Mountain was the son of William John and Julia Mountain, 'Craigilea' 136 Buckley Street Essendon, not far from St. John's Church. In civilian life Mountain was a draughtsman who enlisted on 26 February 1916. He embarked on HMAT Orsova in Melbourne on 1 August 1916 and proceeded to Plymouth, arriving on 14 September 1916. As a driver with 1 Australian Field Artilley Brigade he was killed in action at Ypres, on 24 August 1917, aged 25. He is buried in Belgium at Reninghelst New Military Cemetery.

References & Acknowledgements

AWM Roll of Honour; NAA: B2455, Mountain William John; Argus, 10 December 1927, p.33; Bob Chalmers, 'Memorial Windows and other Memorials of St. John's Uniting Church - Essendon', (2010).