Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 3, 2018 22:18:14 GMT 12
This article is from the Upper Hutt Leader, dated 19th of September 1957. I am not religious so I had no idea the RNZAF has a patron saint, and I have no idea where this Cathedral is situated in Wellington, but I am curious, did the window get built?
RNZAF National Memorial Windows
A Dominion wide appeal is being made by the N.Z. Federation of Brevet Clubs, Air League of New Zealand and the Air Force Association to raise a sum of £2,500 to provide for the installation of two stained glass windows in Wellington's new Anglican Cathedral.
These windows are to be dedicated as a National memorial to the memory of New Zealanders who died while serving in the New Zealand and other Commonwealth Air Forces during World War II. The two windows will be the main feature of the memorial. One will contain the figure of St. Mark, Patron Saint of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, against a background depicting the tropical activities of the service in the southwest Pacific. It will also incorporate two symbolic figures—a pilot in flying suit and a ground staff member in tropical uniform. The second window will contain the figure of St Michael, Patron Saint of the Royal Air Force. The New Zealanders' activities with the R.A.F. will provide the motif, and there will be two supporting figures one in flying kit, and the other in battledress. Fully authenticated drawing have yet to be produced.
Completing the memorial will be an encased vellum book (on whose pages will be inscribed the names of the dead) surmounted by an R.N Z.A.F. ensign which will hang between the windows. Mindful of the significance to all New Zealanders of the Battle of Britain, the Committee will launch the appeal on the day following its observance in New Zealand. By present day standards, the amount sought to finance the memorial-is not great. If all to whom the appeal is addressed were to subscribe, the individual contributions would represent a very modest outlay. But the worthiness of the project is proportionately far greater than the financial sacrifice required to ensure its success; indeed, it cannot be measured simply in terms of pounds (shillings and pence).
History will always record the deeds of airmen during the Second World War. No one in this country needs reminding of how much we owed in those critical years to the courage and self-sacrifice of those who risked their all in the cause of freedom and humanity. We can never repay the debt. The proposed memorial will serve as a most fitting token of our continued recognition of what was so dearly achieved on our behalf. We commend the appeal to all who cherish the value of Christianity and decency, once in such grave danger of being forcibly replaced by principles whose application does not bear contemplation.
These values are perpetually threatened and must ever be safeguarded. A memorial to those who have defended them in battle is itself a reminder of how fundamental they are to our way of life.
The appeal opened on September 16, and will be Dominion wide, so that the many New Zealanders whose kin served in World War II have an opportunity of contributing.
The Brevet Club (Hutt Valley) Inc., are conducting the appeal in the Upper Valley and those who wish to contribute to this Memorial fund can forward. donations to the Secretary PO Box 11, Upper Hutt or leave their donations in the donation box at the window display arranged for the occasion by the Brevet Club in Hazelwoods window.
RNZAF National Memorial Windows
A Dominion wide appeal is being made by the N.Z. Federation of Brevet Clubs, Air League of New Zealand and the Air Force Association to raise a sum of £2,500 to provide for the installation of two stained glass windows in Wellington's new Anglican Cathedral.
These windows are to be dedicated as a National memorial to the memory of New Zealanders who died while serving in the New Zealand and other Commonwealth Air Forces during World War II. The two windows will be the main feature of the memorial. One will contain the figure of St. Mark, Patron Saint of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, against a background depicting the tropical activities of the service in the southwest Pacific. It will also incorporate two symbolic figures—a pilot in flying suit and a ground staff member in tropical uniform. The second window will contain the figure of St Michael, Patron Saint of the Royal Air Force. The New Zealanders' activities with the R.A.F. will provide the motif, and there will be two supporting figures one in flying kit, and the other in battledress. Fully authenticated drawing have yet to be produced.
Completing the memorial will be an encased vellum book (on whose pages will be inscribed the names of the dead) surmounted by an R.N Z.A.F. ensign which will hang between the windows. Mindful of the significance to all New Zealanders of the Battle of Britain, the Committee will launch the appeal on the day following its observance in New Zealand. By present day standards, the amount sought to finance the memorial-is not great. If all to whom the appeal is addressed were to subscribe, the individual contributions would represent a very modest outlay. But the worthiness of the project is proportionately far greater than the financial sacrifice required to ensure its success; indeed, it cannot be measured simply in terms of pounds (shillings and pence).
History will always record the deeds of airmen during the Second World War. No one in this country needs reminding of how much we owed in those critical years to the courage and self-sacrifice of those who risked their all in the cause of freedom and humanity. We can never repay the debt. The proposed memorial will serve as a most fitting token of our continued recognition of what was so dearly achieved on our behalf. We commend the appeal to all who cherish the value of Christianity and decency, once in such grave danger of being forcibly replaced by principles whose application does not bear contemplation.
These values are perpetually threatened and must ever be safeguarded. A memorial to those who have defended them in battle is itself a reminder of how fundamental they are to our way of life.
The appeal opened on September 16, and will be Dominion wide, so that the many New Zealanders whose kin served in World War II have an opportunity of contributing.
The Brevet Club (Hutt Valley) Inc., are conducting the appeal in the Upper Valley and those who wish to contribute to this Memorial fund can forward. donations to the Secretary PO Box 11, Upper Hutt or leave their donations in the donation box at the window display arranged for the occasion by the Brevet Club in Hazelwoods window.
