The story behind the windows
Something has been missing in the refurbished West Block since the start of term. Some anxious pupils had raised their concerns and some staff had become more than a little apprehensive but on Friday, 2nd October there was relief all round as the stained glass windows were restored to there rightful place. This has rekindled interest in the history of the windows ...
Having witnessed the horrors of the War first hand Major Jenkinson on returning to his position as headmaster did not want the efforts of the Old Boys to be forgotten and proposed a fitting memorial in the form of a stained glass window made up of eight panes which he believed would cost £150. He became the Honorary Treasurer for the Memorial Fund and appealed to parents and the Old Boys and Old Girls Associations for donations.
From the spring 1920 Magazine
After twelve months £116 10sh 4d had been raised and Jenkinson compromised with four panes and organised the unveiling for October 27th 1921.
The service opened with the singing of the hymn "God's trumpet wakes the slumbering World". The Rev. A. E. Butler Hon C.F. then read St Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews (chap xi v.32 to chap xii v.2)
A large number of parents and friends then witnessed the unveiling by Mr J C Williams, the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall. In "a stirring speech he said that he was very confident that no memorial could be of greater service, or accomplish anything more real, than this. For placed in such a prominent position it must surely have a deep effect on young lives growing up in the school. The present pupils, too young to have taken part in the struggle, would be impressed with what these old boys had done for them. Having been called upon, they had given their lives, thus doing more than they might ever have hoped to have done if they lived to a great age. Although he sincerely hoped the youth of the present would not be called upon to make such a sacrifice, yet there were times throughout their lives when they would be called upon to give up something. The memorial in their midst, showing what others had done, would help them to grow up good, noble men and women." (School magazine)
The Rev. Dr Lea then read the prayer, and there followed a prayer of thanksgiving "for the devoted lives of those who have made this people great and free." Wreaths were then laid by Mr H Whetter on behalf of the Old Boys' and Girls' Associations, and by A L Rowse on behalf of the present pupils. Jenkinson himself read names of nine Old boys who had laid down their lives. Buglers from Bodmin Depot then sounded the Last Post and Reveille. The service closed with the singing of Kipling's hymn "Land of our birth" and the National Anthem.
Twelve months after its unveiling there was a plea for more funds to complete the Memorial Window project and any profits from school plays and the selling of second hand books went to the fund. However, it was never completed.
For eighteen years the windows were a daily reminder to the pupils, however, with the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 they were removed for safe keeping. Once peace was secured in 1945 they were duly returned. This time they were unveiled by the recently retired Mr Lodge who had been acting Head during the Great War and had lost his own son, Stanley, in 1941, whilst on active service.
From the School Log
It is not known why the four saints depicted - Saint George, St Alban, St Edmund and St Nicholas - were chosen. However, we can but speculate...
Saint George is the patron saint of England and regarded as one of the most prominent military saints. St Alban was the first British Christian martyr executed by the Romans. St Edmund was the original English patron saint venerated as a martyr saint soon after his death at the hands of Danish Vikings. With their martyrdom and close military connections those three were perhaps obvious choices but the decision to choose St Nicholas is very much open to debate. As well as being the patron saint for children he is also the patron saint for sailors and it is perhaps this connection that was taken into consideration.