LT Louis Bennett & Royal Flying Corps Westminster Stained Glass Window
Details:
In the nave of the church overlooking the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.
A stained glass window in the famed Westminster Abbey.
In 1922 a stained glass window was unveiled in Westminster Abbey to members of the Royal Flying Corps who died during the 1914-1918 war. It was given by Mrs Louis Bennett of West Virginia USA, especially in memory of her son, Lt. Louis Bennett Jr. He was born in Weston, West Virginia in 1894 and was killed on 24th August 1918 while serving with no. 40 squadron of the Corps {Royal Flying Corps} in France. The window overlooks the grave of the Unknown Warrior in the nave and is by the artist Harry Grylls (1873-1953).
The theme of the window is flying men and wings, illustrated by passages from the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel. At the top is a figure of St Michael, patron saint of airmen, trampling the devil angel. The larger figures of angels bear the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit.
The face of the angel holding the shield is a portrait of Louis Bennett.
The badge of the RFC (later the Royal Air Force) and the badge of the West Virginia Flying Corps, incorporating the seal of that State, also appear. This window is among several memorials Sallie Bennett erected to her son's memory on both sides of the Atlantic.
See site Wavrin for another memorial to LT Bennett.
Source: https://www.westminster-abbey.org
Monument Text:
The inscription on the stained glass window reads:
To the glory of God and in proud and thankful memory of those members of the British [Royal] Flying Corps who fell in the Great War 1914-18.
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
40th Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group (RAF)
Royal Air Force (RAF)
Royal Flying Corps
Wars:
WWI
Other images :
