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Windows of the church of St Bartholomew the Less:

The current windows in the church of St Bartholomew the Less were designed by Hugh Easton, following the loss of the earlier windows during World War Two. Easton was an eminent stained glass maker who also designed the Battle of Britain memorial window in Westminster Abbey. The design of the nurse in the window in Westminster Abbey is strikingly similar to that in the window in St Bartholomew the Less.

The east window portrays the Virgin and Child, St Bartholomew and Rahere, and St Luke.

The north window is a memorial to the physicians and surgeons from St Bartholomew’s Hospital who died during World War Two. The inscription on the window reads, ‘PRAISE GOD REMEMBERING THOSE PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS FROM THIS HOSPITAL WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY’.

The south window is a memorial to the nurses from St Bartholomew’s Hospital who died during World War Two. The inscription on the window reads, ‘PRAISE GOD REMEMBERING THOSE NURSES FROM THIS HOSPITAL WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY’. The following six names are also listed on the window:

Annie Jobling
Brenda Irene Wells
Daphne Geraldine Strange
Dorothy Muriel Stratford
Jean Frances Watts
Mary Whitehead

The windows were dedicated on 11th January 1951 during a service of thanksgiving for the restoration of St Bartholomew the Less. The service was led by Dr AJM Macdonald, the Rector of St Dunstan’s in the West, and Rural Dean of the City, and was attended by the Lord and Lady Mayoress and a full congregation, including the Treasurer and Governors of the Hospital and many doctors and nurses.

North Wing memorial:

There is a memorial to the students of St Bartholomew’s Hospital who gave their lives during World War One in the North Wing archway. The archway was reconstructed and the old vaulted plaster roof was replaced by a similar construction of Portland Stone. The panels on each side of the two doorways under the arch are inscribed with the names of the 112 men who died. The names are given in full (first and surnames) in alphabetical order, without distinction of rank, with the following dedication:

‘These gave their lives
For King and Country
Counting not the cost
In defence of right.
1914-1918’

The memorial was unveiled and dedicated on 8th July 1926. His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales (President of St Bartholomew’s Hospital) performed the unveiling ceremony, and the dedication was performed by The Rev ACE Jarvis, Chaplain to the Forces and Chaplain-in-Ordinary to the King. The guard of honour was formed by the Honourable Artillery Company. There was a further guard of honour consisting of some sixty Hospital porters, most of them ex-servicemen.

The names of those who died during World War Two were added to the memorial above the original panels, and consist of initials and surname, in alphabetical order, without distinction of rank. The names of nurses who died are also inscribed (their first names are given in full).

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