The commission forthe Reverend Wil Vawdonwas already well underway, and a major portion of the glass already cut, when Reverend Vawdon wrote to stained glass artist William Montgomery asking for changes to be made to the design. Montgomery was able to include the 'A.I.F. Badge and dates' which were inserted in the wide border diamond shapes, but other alterations must have been substantial as Montgomery informed him they would incur an extra £4.5.0 per window. Montgomery was concerned that the extensive list of names would appear overcrowded in the space originally proposed for them. The window was not finished by the original date proposed in late October, however it was completed in time for the unveiling by Major G.E. Bright OBE, a former member of the Sunday school and church, on 5 December 1920. Vawdon expressed his disappointment with the finished window, however Montgomery, equally dissatisfied, felt his suggested solutions had been ignored. Nevertheless, the account for £57 issued on 1 November 1920 was paid promptly, and in full, the following month.
The four lights contained names of the 260 names of men from the church who enlisted; the names of those who died were recorded on another four-light memorial in the same church.
References & Acknowledgements
Argus, 6 December 1920, p.8; Correspondence file, Lydiard Street Uniting Church; Montgomery letterbooks 4/945. 4/960, 4/974 National Gallery of Australia Research Collection, Canberra ACT.
With grateful thanks to Mrs. Joan Ogilvie, Archivist at the Wesley Uniting Church, Ballarat.
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