Location:
St Dunstan's College
Stanstead Road
Catford SE6 4TY
UKNIWM Ref: 12302
OS Map Ref: TQ350 730
Map: Memorials of Lewisham Map
Type: Tablets
Description:
The memorial consists of a series of oak tablets carved in high relief set under a stained glass window in the school chapel. Over the central panel is carved the school crest and motto and over the panels on either side is the crest of a military unit. To each side of the main panels there are panels commemorating individual old pupils
Inscription:
The inscription on the central panel reads
These Tablets
Are Erected
In Order That the Memory of Those
Who Gave Their Lives For the
Freedom of Their Country In the
Great War, 1914-1918, May Live As
A Perpetual Inspiration to Many
Generations of St Dunstan’s Boys
F.W.R.BROWN (Master) Royal Engineers
THIS STEP WAS ERECTED BY OLD DUNSTONIANS
IN THE MEMORY OF JULIAN FRANCIS STEELE
Wars Commemorated: First World War
Designer: Mr. A. C. Carter, Art Master
Craftsmen: Messrs Gawthorp and Sons
The paneling surrounding memorial and in the platform fascia was cut by the wood crafting guild of the parents’ circle
Ceremonies:
The memorial was unveiled by Major-General Sir William Thwaites; C.B. K.C.M.G. on Sunday 29 January 1922 the service was conducted by the Rev. A.G.B. West vicar of St Dunstan's in the East.
Other References: Nigel Watson, St. Dunstan’s College: A Centenary History 1888-1998, pp 76-80, St Dunstan’s Educational Foundation, ISBN 0 951 4095 06.
St Dunstan's College Roll of Honour 1914-1919 : D W Collett, BA (1988)
Press: The Kentish Mercury, February 3 1922, The Borough News, 25.2.1920.
Note:
977 Old Dunstonians served during the First World War, 326 gained a commission and 233 were killed.
Before the Great War 'G' Company of the 20th (Blackheath and Woolwich) Battalion, the London Regiment was made up entirely of Old Dunstonians. After reorganisation of the battalion ODs made up the whole of numbers 7 and 8 Platoons of ‘B’ Company. They kept their identity until the Battle of Loos in September 1915, after which many of those who survived the battle were commissioned into other units.
Names: Click here for names linked to this memorial.
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by Local History and Archives Centre, Lewisham and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence