Margaret Roding WW1 Window

Chelmsford Chronicle Friday 13/8/1920 reported the dedication of stained glass window (in which mention was made of the slight delay to completion of the brass plaque, to which our record WMR 45840 relates):
'RODING MEMORIAL. Dedication by U.S. Bishop There was a large congregation at St. Margaret's Church, Margaret Roding on Wednesday evening, to witness the dedication of a beautiful coloured window, erected in the church to the memory of the following eight men of the parish who fell in the war: Francis J. Lodge, Horace Lodge, Henry Stevenson, Willie M. Wilkins, Arthur Wilkins, Leonard Perry, Jeffrey Gunn, and Leonard Dunmow. The village has a population of only 200, and nearly 30 served in H.M, Forces, the percentage of killed being very high. The window is a replica of the beautiful painting by Mr. Clark, hung in the Royal Academy, and depicting Christ on the Cross, with a cloud surrounding the crucified body, and a dead soldier lying at the foot, with his rifle by his side. Behind the Cross, which is surmounted by the initials I.R.N.I., is a piece of artillery. The rich colouring is beautifully executed, and the memorial is a distinct adornment to this ancient Norman church. The brass tablet inscribed with the names of the heroes was not, unfortunately, completed in time for the ceremony. The dedication was performed by the Right Rev. T. F. Tailor, D.D. Bishop of Tennessee, U.S.A., and president of the Council of Bishops of the American Church, who also delivered an appropriate address. The service was conducted by the Rector, the Rev. C.S. Bassett, who formerly worked under the Bishop, and the other clergy present were the Revds. J. M. Giblin, R.D., A. R. Thurlow (Aythorpe Roding), and J. Howard (Beauchamp Roding). The Bishop wore the hood of his D.D. degree, recently conferred upon him by the University of Oxford. The service, which was fully choral, opened with the first verse of the National Anthem, followed by the Lord's Prayer and versicles. Psalm XXIII "The Lord is Shepherd, the Nunc Dimittis, and the Creed. The hymns were, "Ten thousand times ten thousand," Oh, what the joy and the glory must be," and " For all the Saints." An impressive service concluded with the Last Post, played by Bugler C. Harris of the Chelmsford K.R.R.C. Cadets. The cost of the memorial has been more than raised by offertories during the war and since, and by the proceeds of a fete held last year. The balance will be devoted to the purchase of a hut for use as a village recreation room. This has been secured, and will be moved to a central site by volunteer labour. The church offertory on Wednesday, amounting to £2 10s., was for the fund'. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000516/19200813/050/0005

"Lest We Forget: The First World War Memorials of Uttlesford District", published by Recorders of Uttlesford History, 2014; ISBN 978-1-873669-14-3; pages 80 and 81 have details of the window and plaque, and some biographical data re the casualties. (The book mentions that: "There appears to be a brother of Horace Lodge who also died but who is not mentioned on the memorial'. 'Pte Hugh Lodge 1st Bn Essex Regt, died on 29 June 1915 aged 25, Son of James and Margaret Jane Lodge of Dacre Cottage, Berners Roding. His brother H. Lodge also fell. Remembered in Pink Farm Cemetery, Helles').

Booklet "The Churches of Good Easter, High Easter and Margaret Roding, Essex", by Philip G M Dickinson, 1989.

Historic England's record of the Grade I Listing of St Margaret's Church can be found at https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1141258

The scene depicted in this memorial window in Margaret Roding is based on the painting by James Clark RA entitled 'The Great Sacrifice' (later known as 'Duty'), on which many war memorials were based, see our blog https://ukniwm.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/the-art-of-sacrifice/