File 183 - War Memorial Windows for University Club of Montreal

Two stained glass windows designed by Percy Nobbs to commemorate the First World War are ensconced in the stairwell of the main staircase in the University Club. -- --The smaller window, a roundel, bears the inscription: “TO THOSE OF US WHO FELL 1914-1919”. An open book lists the names of those club members who died. Military symbolism is employed in the creation of a curiously abstract, yet powerful figure: a helmet propped on a reversed rifle represents the fallen soldier. Hovering protectively over this figure, two angels grasp a palm frond and a branch of oak leaves respectively signifying honours for military and civil achievement. The foliate background features poppies, which allude to John McCrae’s World War I poem, “In Flanders Fields”. McCrae was not only one of the club’s founding members; his name appears as one of the war dead. -- --The large arcaded window bears the signature of Thomas William Camm, one of the important stained glass artists of the Arts and Crafts movement. --Susan Wagg, “Arts et Métiers: Le Club Universitaire de Montréal,.” (trans. Sylvie --Clamageran). Continuité 30 (hiver 1986 ): 40-42. -- -- --The window memorializes those members of the club: “TO THOSE WHO SERVED ACROSS THE SEAS MCMXIV-MCMXVIII”. The solitary figure of the Crusader appears in the upper part of the window above the list of names. Medallions with regimental, service or corps badges are displayed within the window’s border. Reading counterclockwise from the lower right: Royal Canadian Engineers, Royal Highlanders, Canadian Army, Royal Montreal Regiment, Canadian Navy, Fifth Mounted Rifles, Royal Canadian Regiment (VRI), Canadian Medical Corps, Canadian Grenadier Guards Royal Canadian Artillery, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Royal Insignia for Canada, 60th Battalion (Victoria Rifles), Victoria Rifles of Canada. --