Memorial details

Memorial type
Mosaic or mural
District
South Lakeland
Town
Helsington
County
Cumbria
Country
England
Commemoration
First World War (1914-1918)
Maker
HON MARION SAUMAREZ (Painter)
Ceremony
  • Dedicated
    Date: 31 August 1919
    Attended by: Revd Frederick Salmon Vaughan, Vicar
Lost
Not lost
WM Reference
69145

Support IWM

Donate with Just Giving

Any gift we receive makes a vital contribution to our ongoing work, from conserving our collection to supporting our public programme.

Make a Donation
Current location

East Wall over the altar
St John's Church
On the fellside above Brigsteer
Helsington
South Lakeland
Cumbria
LA8 8AG
England

OS Grid Ref: SD 48880 88949
Denomination: Church of England

View location on Google Maps
Description
Oil painting on a single 14m2 piece of linen canvas, stretched over a wooden frame, fixed to the wall, Twelve female angels with a wistful expression and flowers at their feet kneel facing the figure of Christ upon the cross, depicted in the east window. They appear to join in prayer with those gathered around the altar, as they remember the faithful departed. The background of river, pastures and mountains clearly refer to the scene outside the church, but there is no sign of life in the silent landscape, reflecting post-war desolation and communities deprived of their young men. The oil paint was applied in washes of colour, with virtually no impasto or visible brushmarks, and matt in appearance, without varnish. The memorial includes the wooden panelling to the wall below, which carries the inscription, and is also functional having 8 small gaps to allow circulation of air between the painting and the wall. The artist used local girls as models for the angels
Inscription
On the top of the wood panelling below the mural: TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF ALL FAITHFUL DEPARTED ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919
Inscription legible?
yes
Commemorations
  • First World War (1914-1918)
    Total names on memorial: 0
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 0
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: Undefined
    Order of information: Undefined
Listing information
  • CHURCH OF ST JOHN
  • Grade II
  • This memorial is protected, and listed on the National Heritage List for England maintained by Historic England. View list entry
  • More about listing and the protection of historic places can be found on the Historic England website
  • Historic England
Condition
Trust fund/Scholarship
No
Purpose: Unknown or N/A
Sponsorship
Private
Details: Mrs Benson of Levens Hall funded it, frame & canvas donated by Sir Gerald Strickland of Sizergh Hall
Reference
  • The War Memorial Painting..(by Helsington Parochial Council) [2009]-This booklet is available in the church (open 0900-1600 daily), much detail in this report is from this booklet.

This record comprises all information held by IWM’s War Memorials Register for this memorial. Where we hold a names list for the memorial, this information will be displayed on the memorial record. Please check back as we are adding more names to the database.

This information is made available under a Creative Commons BY-NC licence.

This means you may reuse it for non-commercial purposes only and must attribute it to us using the following statement:

© WMR-69145

For queries, please contact [email protected].