Memorial Details
What type of memorial is it?
Window
How would you describe the memorial and its ornamentation?
Stained glass window commemorating ten members of the Frank Benson Company who died in the Great War. Depicts a mounted St George slaying the dragon. The face of St George is that of Frank Benson's son, Eric, one of the ten who died. Two of the ten ( Charles Bibby and Guy Rathbone) are also depicted in the main oriel windows nearby, as Shakespearean characters they played while with the Company (WMR 100196). A card bearing a printed explanation of the window, with names, is attached to the wall nearby.

A previous memorial window commemorating four Bensonians killed in the Boer War was unveiled in May 1905. WMR #100196
Location
Has this memorial been lost?
No
Location
Location
Is this the memorial's current location?
Yes
Building No
Swan Rooms - formerly the Memorial Art Gallery
Building Name
Shakespeare Memorial Theatre
Street
Waterside
Town
Stratford-upon-Avon
District
Stratford On Avon
County
Warwickshire
Country
England
Postcode
CV37 6BB
OS map ref
SP 20316 54702
Other Details
Head of stairs

Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford - The Old Bensonians WW1 Memorial Window Location

Commemoration
What words are inscribed on the memorial?
On the window: In memory of/ the Old Bensonians/ who fell in the War/ 1914 1918
On the card nearby: This stained glass window is a memorial to/ members of the Benson theatre company/ who lost their lives in the First World War./ Led by Actor-manager Frank Benson,/ the 'Bensonians' were the first permanent/ theatre company in Stratford-upon-Avon/ who were dedicated to the performance/ of Shakespeare./ In 1925 the Actor Ellen Terry dedicated the/ window to/ (Names)
War
How many names are listed in total?
10
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?
10
What information is listed for those commemorated?
Forename, surname
Condition
Which organisation is the custodian of the memorial?
The Royal Shakespeare Theatre
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?
Plaque
What condition is this component in?
Good
What materials has this component been constructed from?
Paper
Listing Information
Does it have listed status?
No
History
Maker
Maker
Person or organisation involved in the making of the memorial
Stratford-on-Avon Guild under the direction of Mr. F. E. Osborne
What role did they have in the making?
Designer
Person or organisation involved in the making of the memorial
Stratford-on-Avon Guild under the direction of Mr. F. E. Osborne
What role did they have in the making?
Makers
Ceremony
Ceremony
Ceremony
What was the purpose of the ceremony?
Unveiled
When did it take place?
22nd June 1925
Who was present?
Dame Ellen Terry
References
References
Stratford-upon-Avon Herald - Friday 26 June 1925 Page 2
FLOREAT BENSONIA!
MEMORIAL WINDOWS UNVEILED.
ADDRESS BY HENRY AINLEY.
(list of names)
---
War Memorials Online: WMO/146896
History of the Benson windows:
http://theshakespeareblog.com/2012/09/stratfords-band-of-brothers-the-bensonian-company/
Image(s)
Memorial Image
Media ID
129085
The window
Priority
2
What is the image's caption?
The window
Copyright Statement
Copyright Richard Hill
Who is it credited to?
Richard Hill
Date Taken
22/07/2013
Who took or provided this image?
Richard Hill - WMO
What is its licence type?
Standard WMA terms
Reference
142709
Is this image evidence of inscribed names?
✖
Media Filename
img_1394.jpg
Media Image Height
2056
Media Image Width
1536
Media ID
132604
The window
Priority
1
What is the image's caption?
The window
Copyright Statement
Copyright David Long
Who is it credited to?
David Long
Date Taken
16/02/2022
Who took or provided this image?
David Long
What is its licence type?
Standard WMA terms
Reference
146716
Is this image evidence of inscribed names?
✖
Media Filename
bensonians_10_-_1.jpeg
Media Image Height
1280
Media Image Width
854
Media ID
132605
The plaque
Priority
5
What is the image's caption?
The plaque
Copyright Statement
Copyright David Long
Who is it credited to?
David Long
Date Taken
16/02/2022
Who took or provided this image?
David Long
What is its licence type?
Standard WMA terms
Reference
146717
Is this image evidence of inscribed names?
✔
Media Filename
bensonians_10_-_2.jpeg
Media Image Height
1259
Media Image Width
1280
Media ID
185457
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford - Old Bensonians Window
Priority
0
What is the image's caption?
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford - Old Bensonians Window
Copyright Statement
David Austin
Who is it credited to?
David Austin
Date Taken
3rd October 2024
Who took or provided this image?
David Austin
What is its licence type?
Standard WMA terms
Is this image evidence of inscribed names?
✖
Media Image Height
1276
Media Image Width
1915
Media ID
185458
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford - Old Bensonians Window
Priority
3
What is the image's caption?
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford - Old Bensonians Window
Copyright Statement
David Austin
Who is it credited to?
David Austin
Date Taken
3rd October 2024
Who took or provided this image?
David Austin
What is its licence type?
Standard WMA terms
Is this image evidence of inscribed names?
✖
Media Image Height
1381
Media Image Width
2072
Media ID
185459
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford - Old Bensonians Window
Priority
4
What is the image's caption?
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford - Old Bensonians Window
Copyright Statement
David Austin
Who is it credited to?
David Austin
Date Taken
3rd October 2024
Who took or provided this image?
David Austin
What is its licence type?
Standard WMA terms
Is this image evidence of inscribed names?
✖
Media Image Height
4906
Media Image Width
3270