The Home Guard
Stained Glass Windows
Guildford Cathedral
The Stainded Glass windows in Guildford Cathedral dedicated to The Home Guard of The Regiment.
In 1998, the Trustess decided that as there was no lasting memorial or reminder of the members of the Home Guard who wore our cap badges during the Second World War, it was time to rectify this omission.
Accordingly, permission was sought from the Dean of Guildford Cathedral, to place two stained glass windows in the Regimental Chapel in memory of the men who served in The Home Guard from our regiments. After much consultation and discussion the firm of Opus Stained Glass of Poyntings, Sussex was chosen to manufacture the windows.
Initial procedure in the matter was the production of two small scale coloured drawings showing the proposed designs and these were submitted to the Regiment and Cathedral authorities for approval. Progressing further the Regiment was able to supply an existing redundant window containing the insignia of The East Surrey Regiment for The Horne Guard. The badge with the scroll immediately beneath was stripped out. It was incorporated into one of the windows and formed the basis of the subsequent style of work.
The title scroll which appears at the bottom of each panel was based on the scroll from the existing window but was repainted in a smaller format for both windows. The East Surrey panel is a mixture of old and new glass whereas the Queen's panel, showing the Regimental Lamb, is completely new. The methods and techniques used in the production of the panels were entirely traditional. A high quality mouthblown glass was used throughout.
Having been approved, a full size drawing, known as a cartoon, was made and the glass cut over the top of it, the drawing acting as a guide for the work. Line work known as 'tracing' was painted on the cut pieces of glass which were then fired in a kiln. The small St George's flag was etched in at this stage using a red flashed glass. After application of the tone as a flat matt wash, and removal of the lighter areas, the glass was fired for a second time. The final process was to apply the silver stain to the back of the glass in those areas which were to appear gold in colour. The glass was then fired for the last time. The panels were then constructed on a work bench, with all joints being leaded and soldered and then finally cemented to seal them and make them waterproof.
Opus Stained Glass was founded nearly thirty years ago, the firm, with its staff of skilled artists and craftsmen, covers a wide range of activities in public and ecclesiastic buildings. They have carried out work in Buckingham Palace and in the Royal Pavilion and churches in Brighton.
The windows were dedicated by The Dean of Guildford at the Regimental Church Service on the 6th June 1999.
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