Memorial Details
What type of memorial is it?
How would you describe the memorial and its ornamentation?
A two-light stained glass window, incorporating the inscription. One light depicts St. Paul (above whose head is the insignia of the Royal Corps of Signals); the other depicts St. Martin (above whose head is the crimson insignia of the Parachute Regiment). The lower section depicts Christ and the beggar; at the foot of the window is the inscription re Major Lander's place and date of death.
Location
Has this memorial been lost?
No
Location
Location
Is this the memorial's current location?
Yes
Building Name
St Mary Magdalene Church
Street
Church Lane
Town
Attenborough
District
Country
Postcode
NG9 6AS
OS map ref
SK 51857 34330
If the memorial is located in a site of worship, please list the religious denominations

Major J Lander Location

Commemoration
What words are inscribed on the memorial?
IN LOVING MEMORY OF JOHN LANDER OF CHILWELL, MAJOR COMMANDING THE/ 21ST INDEPENDENT PARACHUTE COY. KILLED IN ACTION IN SICILY ON/ THE NIGHT OF 13TH-14TH JULY 1943 AGED 47 YEARS/ 1914-1918 1939-1945
War
How many names are listed in total?
1
Which war or group does the memorial commemorate?
Is the total an exact count?
Yes
Of the names listed, how many served and returned?
0
Of the names listed, how many died?
1
What information is listed for those commemorated?
Rank, forename, surname, address, military unit, place and date of death, age.
Condition
Is the writing on the memorial difficult to read?
No
Which organisation is the custodian of the memorial?
Church of England.
What is the memorial's maintenance history?
The Church was Grade I Listed on 14/4/1987 (List Entry Number 1263869).
Components
Component Details
Which memorial component are you recording?
What condition is this component in?
What materials has this component been constructed from?
Dimensions
How high is the component?
c2100mm
How wide is the component?
c1200mm
Listing Information
Does it have listed status?
Yes
If yes, which organisation listed it?
Historic England
What grade is it listed at?
I
What is the listing reference?
1263869
History
Maker
Maker
Person or organisation involved in the making of the memorial
H T Hincks
What role did they have in the making?
Person or organisation involved in the making of the memorial
Pope and Parr of Nottingham
What role did they have in the making?
Ceremony
Ceremony
Ceremony
What was the purpose of the ceremony?
When did it take place?
01 March 1948
Who was present?
Major Lander's mother unveiled the window.
References
References
South Notts Echo, Saturday 6th March 1948 (page 5) reported:
'MAJOR J. LANDER. Memorial Window Unveiled At Attenborough Church. A stained glass window was unveiled at Attenborough Parish Church last Sunday afternoon to the memory of Major John Lander, T.D., who was killed in action in Sicily on the night of July 13/14, 1943, while in command of the 21st (Independent) Parachute Company. Friends and comrades-in-arms joined relatives at a dedication service before the unveiling ceremony. The Rev. J. Roberts (vicar) led the congregation in prayer. There were present many khaki-clad men—comrades of Major Lander in both world wars who served in the Royal Signals or Parachute Regiment. Major's Tribute A tribute was paid to Major Lander in an address by Col. G J. Underwood, T.D., who remembered Major Lander when he first joined the Territorials, of which he was a member, in 1924. Major Lander proved to be a competent officer anxious to learn his job on the technical side of the Royal Signals. He was popular, clean-living and a believer of physical fitness. Anxious to do active service. Major Lander volunteered in the last war for the Parachute Regiment, and though past his forties he was a match for the youthful parachutists. It was in that sphere of duty, said Col. Underwood, that Major Lander died. "Then it was," he said, "that his family and friends mourned the loss of a grand personality and a great friend. But not only that; the British Army lost in him a perfect gentleman and a very brave man." Mother Unfurls Union Jack. When Mrs. Lander, mother of Major Lander, pulled a cord which unfurled a Union Jack from the rear of the church, two figures were portrayed. One was of St. Paul and the other St. Martin. At the head of the image of St. Paul was the insignia of the Royal Corps of Signals, while the crimson Parachute Regiment badge was portrayed at the head of St. Martin. Lettered at the foot of the window, which is about seven feet high by four feet wide, are the date and place of Major Lander's death. The lower part of the window depicts Christ and the beggar. The hymns sung were "Soldiers who are Christ's Below" and "For All the Saints who from Their Labours Rest," and a choir of 22 voices led the singing. The Psalm was the 84th, and the lesson was read by Lieut.-Col. N. G. Pearson, D.S.O., MC., the proceedings being concluded by the singing of the National Anthem.
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002884/19480306/102/0005
https://southwellchurches.nottingham.ac.uk/attenborough/hglass.php#wmwindow
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1263869?section=official-list-entry
Photos of the window are at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:North_aisle,_west_window,_St_Mary%27s_Church,_Attenborough.jpg
Image(s)
Memorial Image
Media ID
166422
Image
Major John Lander Memorial Window.
What is the image's caption?
Major John Lander Memorial window
Who is it credited to?
Andrew Rabbott
Date Taken
21/6/2015
Media Description
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:North_aisle,_west_window,_St_Mary%27s_Church,_Attenborough.jpg
Who took or provided this image?
Andrew Rabbott
What is its licence type?
Standard WMA terms
Is this image evidence of inscribed names?
✖
Media Image Height
899
Media Image Width
442