Memorial Details
What type of memorial is it?
Window
How would you describe the memorial and its ornamentation?
Three windows in the north aisle by the Lady Chapel were restored as a memorial for WW1. The first window was for land, the second window was for air and fire and the third window was for sea. An inscription is at the top of each window. Dedicatory tablet below the windows.

LAND WINDOW: Main theme in the centre consists of a group representing the first death. To the right of the figures is a conqueror attended by captives in chains and to the left of the figures we see a man awed by the eclipse of the sun. Below him is a shepherd guarding his flock and on the other side is a hunter. In the predella is Edward 1 receiving plans of the church, in the centre the effigy is being removed by monks and on the right St Leonard is shown choosing his hermitage.

AIR AND FIRE WINDOW: Flame-girt cenotaph in the centre of the window with the figures of fortitude, faith, love and justice surrounding it. Symbol of the holy trinity is above this. Six wheel spheres represent the six days of creation.

SEA WINDOW: Sea dominates the window and seen within it are coiling dragon creatures held in check by angel forms. Predella shows old Winchelsea with sea close behind the walls. Ships with flags are depicted.
Reason for status change (if applicable/optional)
Land and sea window images added with relevant references. SF
Location
Has this memorial been lost?
No
Location
Location
Is this the memorial's current location?
Yes
Building Name
St Thomas the Martyr Church
Street
High Street
Town
Winchelsea
District
Rother
County
East Sussex
Country
England
Postcode
TN36 4EB
OS map ref
TQ 90510 17350
Other Details
In the north aisle wall
If the memorial is located in a site of worship, please list the religious denominations
Church of England

Men of The Cinque Ports and The Towns of Rye and Winchelsea Location

Commemoration
What words are inscribed on the memorial?
TO THE MEN OF THE CINQUE PORTS AND THE ANCIENT TOWNS OF RYE AND WINCHELSEA, WHO WHETHER ON SEA, LAND OR IN THE AIR, GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THOSE WHO RETURNED SAFE TO THEIR HOMES

Westernmost land window: O LORD, HOW MANIFOLD ARE THY WORKS. IN WISDOM HAST THOU MADE THEM ALL. THE EARTH IS FULL OF THY RICHES

Centre air and fire window: PRAISE THE LORD FROM THE HEAVENS; PRAISE YE HIM, SUN AND MOON, ALL YE STARS OF LIGHT, FIRE AND HEAT, SNOW AND VAPOUR, STORM AND WIND FULFILLING HIS WORD

Easternmost sea window: THEY THAT GO DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS, THAT DO BUSINESS IN GREAT WATERS: THESE SEE THE WORKS OF THE LORD AND HIS WONDERS IN THE DEEP. HE MAKETH THE STORM A CALM, SO HE BRINGETH THEM UNTO THEIR DESIRED HAVEN

Tablet: TO THE GLORY OF GOD IN MEMORY OF/ THOSE MEN FROM THE CINQUE PORTS AND THE/ ANCIENT TOWNS OF RYE AND WINCHELSEA/ WHO WHETHER ON LAND OR SEA OR IN THE/ AIR GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE WAR OF 1914/ - 1918 AND IN THANKSGIVING FOR THOSE/ THAT RETURNED SAFE TO THEIR HOMES THE/ THREE WINDOWS IN THIS AISLE WERE RE-/ PAIRED AND FILLED WITH STAINED GLASS/ AND THIS ALTAR WAS SET UP/ A.D. 1933/
War
How many names are listed in total?
0
Which war or group does the memorial commemorate?
First World War (1914-1918)
Is the total an exact count?
Yes
Of the names listed, how many served and returned?
0
Of the names listed, how many died?
0
Condition
Is the writing on the memorial difficult to read?
No
Which organisation is the custodian of the memorial?
Winchelsea Parochial Church Council have appointed a Custodian.
Components
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?
No
Component Details
Which memorial component are you recording?
Tablet
What condition is this component in?
Poor
What materials has this component been constructed from?
Stone
Listing Information
Does it have listed status?
No
History
Sponsorship
Was the memorial sponsored by any organisations or individuals?
private
If yes, what are the sponsor's details?
Lord Blanesborough
Scholarship
Is there a trust or scholarship associated with it?
No
Additional Notes
Supervisor comments
PRINTED BOOKS ACCESSION NUMBER, K 01 / 1131, LOCATION EPH.C.MEM
Maker
Maker
Person or organisation involved in the making of the memorial
DR DOUGLAS STRACHAN LLD FRSA
What role did they have in the making?
Artist
Ceremony
Ceremony
Ceremony
What was the purpose of the ceremony?
Dedicated
When did it take place?
21 October 1933
Who was present?
Archbishop of Canterbury
References
References
DICTIONARY OF BRITISH ART VOLUME V BRITISH ARTISTS 1880-1940 by JOHNSON, J 485 Source: Image Library NIWM Published:ANTIQUE COLLECTORS CLUB 1994 WOODBRIDGE, SUFFOLK
THE STORY OF WINCHELSEA CHURCH, 12TH, 19TH AND 21ST EDITIONS
St Thomas, Winchelsea Stained Glass Windows - http://www.stainedglassrecords.org/Ch.asp?ChId=38415 - accessed 1 May 2020
St Thomas Church - https://winchelseachurch.co.uk/visit-us/stained-glass/north-front/ - accessed 1 May 2020
Geograph Sea window - www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4319622 - accessed 1 May 2020
Geograph Land window - www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6208948 - accessed 1 May 2020
Imperial War Museum, Department of Collections Access and Library K 01 / 1131, Location EPH.C.MEM http://collections.iwm.org.uk/server/show/nav.00g006
Image(s)
Memorial Image
Media ID
90008
Land window
Priority
0
What is the image's caption?
Land window
Copyright Statement
Copyright Basher Eyre (cc-by-sa/2.0)
Who is it credited to?
Basher Eyre (cc-by-sa/2.0)
Date Taken
6 July 2019
Media Description
Location: South Aisle westernmost window.
www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6208948
Who took or provided this image?
Basher Eyre (cc-by-sa/2.0)
What is its licence type?
Standard WMA terms
Reference
98942
Is this image evidence of inscribed names?
✖
Media Filename
17224c_geograph_6208948.jpg
Media Image Height
640
Media Image Width
480
Media ID
78111
Air - Winchelsea WW1 stained glass window
Priority
1
What is the image's caption?
Air - Winchelsea WW1 stained glass window
Copyright Statement
Copyright John Miller
Who is it credited to?
John Miller
Date Taken
17/10/2019
Media Description
Location South Aisle 2.
Who took or provided this image?
John Miller
What is its licence type?
Standard WMA terms
Reference
85642
Is this image evidence of inscribed names?
✖
Media Filename
winchelsea_ww1_stained_glass_window.jpg
Media Image Height
3295
Media Image Width
2366
Media ID
90007
Sea window
Priority
2
What is the image's caption?
Sea window
Copyright Statement
Copyright Michael Garlick (cc-by-sa/2.0)
Who is it credited to?
Michael Garlick (cc-by-sa/2.0)
Date Taken
21 January 2015
Media Description
Location: South Aisle easternmost window.
www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4319622
Who took or provided this image?
Michael Garlick (cc-by-sa/2.0)
What is its licence type?
Standard WMA terms
Reference
98940
Is this image evidence of inscribed names?
✖
Media Filename
17224a_geograph_4319622.jpg
Media Image Height
640
Media Image Width
562
Media ID
78144
Winchelsea WW1 window inscription
Priority
3
What is the image's caption?
Winchelsea WW1 window inscription
Copyright Statement
Copyright John Miller
Who is it credited to?
John Miller
Date Taken
17/10/2019
Who took or provided this image?
John Miller
What is its licence type?
Standard WMA terms
Reference
85681
Is this image evidence of inscribed names?
✖
Media Filename
winchelsea_ww1_window_inscription.jpg
Media Image Height
1988
Media Image Width
3661