Memorial Details What type of memorial is it? Window How would you describe the memorial and its ornamentation? Three-light stained glass window, the allegorical theme of which is 'The Arming of the Saints by the Virtues'. The uppermost section of the window's reticulated tracery comprises depictions of the Christogram IHS; an angel holding a palm-frond; and an angel holding the golden 'Crown of Life'. The three lights beneath depict a bare-headed, red-cloaked, partly armour-clad soldier, standing on the tiled floor of an armoury, being dressed for battle. A kneeling green-robed female 'Virtue' is attending to his feet; close-by on the floor are a pair of gauntlets, ready to be presented to him. In the left light are two female figures ('Virtues'), one of whom is holding a shield. In the right light are two female figures; one holding a sword; the other holding a visored helmet. The inscription is at the foot of the window, and reads left to right across all three lights. [William Marston is also commemorated on a further memorial, fixed to the same wall of the Church, details of which are in our separate record WMR 17562]. Reason for status change (if applicable/optional) Data/refs/links added re unveiling etc; 3 photos imported from WMO; cross ref added re our ref 17562, iro the nearby brass plaque. JK 3/4/2026 Location Has this memorial been lost? No Location Location Is this the memorial's current location? Yes Building Name Knowle Parish Church [i.e. the 'Church of Saint John the Baptist, Saint Lawrence and Saint Anne'] Street Kenilworth Road Town Knowle District Solihull County West Midlands Country England Postcode B93 0LN OS map ref SP 18235 76745 Other Details On the north wall of the north aisle. If the memorial is located in a site of worship, please list the religious denominations Church of England W Marston - Window Location Commemoration What words are inscribed on the memorial? TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF WILLIAM, FOURTH SON OF JOHN MARSTON,/ PARKFIELD KNOWLE, WHO DIED AT WOODSTOCK MILITARY HOSPITAL CAPE TOWN OCT 21ST 1901, AGED 28 YRS War How many names are listed in total? 1 Which war or group does the memorial commemorate? Boer War; Second (1899-1902) 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? Forename, surname, place of death, date of death, age at death, relationships. 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? 5th December 1949: The Parish Church (officially titled the 'Church of Saint John the Baptist, Saint Lawrence and Saint Anne') was Grade I Listed; List Entry Number 1203309. Components Component Component Details Which memorial component are you recording? Window What condition is this component in? Good What materials has this component been constructed from? Stained Glass 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? 1203309 War Memorials Online Reference number 265576 History Ceremony Ceremony Ceremony What was the purpose of the ceremony? Unveiled When did it take place? 31 August 1902 References References Birmingham Mail - Friday 29 August 1902 (page 4) reported: 'THE LATE MR. W. MARSTON. Many of the friends of the late Mr. W. Marston, the old Midland Counties Rugby footballer, will no doubt accept the invitation which is extended to them to be present at the Parish Church, Knowle, on Sunday, when a special service will be conducted in connection with the unveiling of a memorial window, the gift of the Marston family. The design, which has been artistically carried out, is of an allegorical character, the subject being "The Arming of the Saints by the Virtues." The service will commence at 11 a.m.'. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000644/19020829/120/0004 Historic England: Grade I listing of Knowle Parish Church (officially titled the 'Church of Saint John the Baptist, Saint Lawrence and Saint Anne') on 5th December 1949 under List Entry Number 1203309: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1203309?section=official-list-entry https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/265576/ Findagrave website; photo of William Marston's gravestone and commemoration in Maitland Cemetery, Cape Town, South Africa, and details of his Army service (as 29071, Private William Marston, 5th Company, 2nd Battalion Imperial Yeomanry) etc: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/156805185/william-marston Image(s) Memorial Image Image Priority 1 What is the image's caption? Stained glass window, commemorating William Marston. Copyright Statement Gary Radford (WMO 265576) Who is it credited to? Gary Radford (WMO 265576) Date Taken 13/7/2025 Who took or provided this image? Gary Radford (WMO 265576) What is its licence type? Standard WMA terms Is this image evidence of inscribed names? ✖ Media Image Height 4032 Media Image Width 3024 Image Priority 2 What is the image's caption? William Marston window (1) Copyright Statement Ynyr Owen (WMO 265576) Who is it credited to? Ynyr Owen (WMO 265576) Date Taken 7/8/2019 Who took or provided this image? Ynyr Owen (WMO 265576) What is its licence type? Standard WMA terms Is this image evidence of inscribed names? ✖ Media Image Height 3096 Media Image Width 4128 Image Priority 3 What is the image's caption? William Marston inscription, at the foot of the stained glass window. Copyright Statement Ynyr Owen (WMO 265576) Who is it credited to? Ynyr Owen (WMO 265576) Date Taken 7/8/2019 Who took or provided this image? Ynyr Owen (WMO 265576) What is its licence type? Standard WMA terms Is this image evidence of inscribed names? ✔ Media Image Height 3096 Media Image Width 4128
Image Priority 1 What is the image's caption? Stained glass window, commemorating William Marston. Copyright Statement Gary Radford (WMO 265576) Who is it credited to? Gary Radford (WMO 265576) Date Taken 13/7/2025 Who took or provided this image? Gary Radford (WMO 265576) What is its licence type? Standard WMA terms Is this image evidence of inscribed names? ✖ Media Image Height 4032 Media Image Width 3024
Image Priority 2 What is the image's caption? William Marston window (1) Copyright Statement Ynyr Owen (WMO 265576) Who is it credited to? Ynyr Owen (WMO 265576) Date Taken 7/8/2019 Who took or provided this image? Ynyr Owen (WMO 265576) What is its licence type? Standard WMA terms Is this image evidence of inscribed names? ✖ Media Image Height 3096 Media Image Width 4128
Image Priority 3 What is the image's caption? William Marston inscription, at the foot of the stained glass window. Copyright Statement Ynyr Owen (WMO 265576) Who is it credited to? Ynyr Owen (WMO 265576) Date Taken 7/8/2019 Who took or provided this image? Ynyr Owen (WMO 265576) What is its licence type? Standard WMA terms Is this image evidence of inscribed names? ✔ Media Image Height 3096 Media Image Width 4128