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    © Imperial War Museums 2026

    Memorial

    Little Dunmow - WW1 Window And Mural

    Little Dunmow - WW1 Window And Mural

    Source: Copyright Rev Robert Stone

    1/4

    Current Location

    North wall of the nave., St Mary the Virgin Church, St Marys Place, off Brook Street, Little Dunmow, Uttlesford, Essex, CM6 3HX, England

    OS Grid Reference

    TL 65611 21233

    Denomination

    Church of England

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    Names listed on this memorial

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    © WMR-22908

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    Type of Memorial
    Composite
    WMR Reference Number
    22908
    Description
    Single lancet stained-glass window, depicting the crucifixion of Christ, set within an ornately painted wall. The upper section of the mural (above the window) depicts six coloured standards, each fringed with a single-word motto; from left to right, those mottoes read Truth, Freedom, Right, Duty, Honour, Justice. At the apex of those flags is a painted panel in the form of a scroll, which contains the dedicatory inscription re the parishioners who served in WW1 and survived. The centre section of the mural (which flanks the window) comprises a painted blue-green floral background that includes laurel wreaths. A depiction of two scrolls overlay that background, each containing the names of parishioners who survived their War service. The lower section of the mural (beneath the window) is headed by a frieze that bears the dedicatory inscription re parishioners who died serving in World War 1. A circular painted panel at the centre of that lower section depicts the Union flag overlaid with a gold laurel wreath; that wreath encircles a shield-shaped blue panel that bears the names of the fallen.
    Inscription
    IN THE GREAT WAR / MCMXIV-MCMXX / THESE IN THEIR VARIOUS SPHERES/SERVED THEIR KING AND COUNTRY/GOD BLESSED THEIR LABOURS/AND GAVE THEM SAFE RETURN/ TRUTH / FREEDOM/ RIGHT/ DUTY/ HONOUR / JUSTICE / TO GOD BE GLORY / (Names) / (Names) / AND OF THESE ALMIGHTY GOD WAS PLEASED TO ACCEPT THE GREATER SACRIFICE / (Names)
    War
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Number Commemorated
    41
    Served
    34
    Died
    7
    Information shown
    Forenames, surname, military unit, whether died
    Order of names
    Grouped by whether died or survived, then alphabetically by surname
    Maker(s)
    • FLORENCE BURDETT, Designer

    • Messrs W Perry-Leach and Sons, Artist

    Maintenance History
    June 1995: Memorial restored.// St Mary the Virgin Church was Grade I listed on 20/2/1967 (see https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1307038 ).

    Ceremonies

    Unveiled

    September 1920

    Major G. L. St. Aubrey Davies (uncle of Flight-Cadet H St A. Davies, one of the Fallen) unveiled the memorial.

    Dedicated

    September 1920

    Reverend Ernest lliff Robson dedicated the memorial

    Custodian
    Church of England

    Components

    Window

    Made from: Stained Glass


    Condition: Good


    Historic England

    Grade: I

    List Entry: 1307038

    https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1307038

    Mural

    Height: 6000mm

    Width: 4000mm


    Made from: Plaster


    Condition: Good


    Historic England

    Grade: I

    List Entry: 1307038

    • Suffolk and Essex Press Wednesday 29/9/1920 reported: 'LITTLE DUNMOW. Mural Painting.—The mural painting on the north wall of the Priory Church here, which has been executed as a memorial of those who gave their services to the nation in the Great War, was unveiled by Major G. L. St. Aubrey Davies, uncle of Flight-Cadet Davies, one of the men who fell. The painting is a very beautiful piece of work, surrounding a small window, and bearing the names of the fallen men, and also of all who served and survived. The designer was Miss Barrett [sic], of Barkstone, Lincolnshire, and the artist Mr. W. Perry Leach, of Cambridge. A record of all the names on the memorial has also been made on parchment for preservation in a case which is to be kept in the church hutch. The church was filled for the ceremony. The Vicar [the Rev. E. lliffe Robson] read the prayers and gave a short address. The names of the fallen men are H. T. St. Aubrey Gavies [sic], George Perry, Arthur Gaines. William Gaines, Oscar Sewell, Thomas Sewell, and Richard Tomlinson [church organist.]'. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001584/19200929/053/0003
    • The War Memorials Trust's record of this memorial can be found at https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/251462/
    • Other website http://www.felstedremembers.uwclub.net/LDMemPics.htm