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The commemorative East Window was erected by Parishoners in memory of the men who gave their lives for their country in the Great (First World) War 1914-1918. The window shows the figure of Christ in the centre flanked by St George and St Martin, the patron saints of England and France respectively. The window is by Tower and Kempe, who are widely acclaimed for their stained glass. The dedication of the East Window and the associated alabaster war memorial was mentioned at some length in an article in the Framlingham Weekly News for Saturday 27th September 1919. The article states that "on Sunday [presumably the previous Sunday] the dedication took place of a beautiful stained-glass window erected in the east end of Hacheston church as a memorial for those men of the parish who had fallen in the war. Almost immediately after the Armistice was declared a meeting of the parishioners was held, when it was unanimously agreed that the memorial should take the form of a window in the Church. Not less than 21 men had given their lives, although Hacheston has a population of only 460. Rather more than £280 was subscribed, and the order for the window was placed in the hands of Messrs. Bryans and Webb of London. This sum also allowed for an alabaster tablet, engraved with the names of the men, to be placed on the south wall." The article then lists the 21 names; details and further information on these can be found on the war memorial page. The article goes on to state that "Hacheston has indeed reason to be proud of its war record. Over 100 men from the parish joined the Colours, and of one family alone not less than nine [in fact it was 10] brothers were serving the King - the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Hatcher - eight in the Army and one in the Navy, of whom three were killed. Mr. and Mrs. Carter had six sons on active service in the Army, and lost one." The article concludes by stating that "Harvest Festival was held on the same day [as the dedication of the window] and the decorations made the effect of the new window very beautiful. The church was quite full for both morning and evening services, the vicar (the Rev. J.F. Mather) preaching on each occasion."
The dedication (bottom right) on the window reads "Giving thanks to God for the honoured memory of the men of Hacheston who laid down their lives in the Great War, this window is dedicated by grateful parishoners A.D. 1919. So they passed over and all the trumpets sounded."
in April 2019, the following entry was written in the church visitors' book:
"As great nephew of Herbert Bevans (who was a glassmaker and who made the Eastern window commemorating the fallen parishoners of the First World War) and the North window, it was a pleasure for us to see this beautiful church so well maintained. We wish you well. Jeremy and Rachel Bevans and children."
The North window is the memorial window to the Heywood family of Glevering Hall.
David Clough
May 2021