Canterbury University College memorial window

Canterbury University College memorial window

Memorial window, Christchurch

Canterbury University College memorial window.

From the memorial window at Canterbury College (now the Arts Centre), Christchurch. The artist was an Englishman, Martin Travers, and the whole window is in the shape of Britain.

Additional information from Wil Wright:
The memorial stained glass window commemorates the staff and students from the University of Canterbury who fought in the First World War. Over 400 staff and students served throughout the war, of whom 98 were killed and over 20% wounded.

The image (from the top) depicts the mother of humanity, with her babies representing the future generations. Famous historical people are standing on an island of civilization, around this is the sea of chaos, the Roman numerals date the war (1914 – 1918) and the mass of famous historical figures represent Truth, Justice, Courage and Humanity. The ship on the left of the image is HMS Resolution, which Captain James Cook commanded. At the bottom New Zealand soldiers can be seen fighting hydra monsters which represent Brutality and Ignorance (the Hun).

SiteStyleOrnamentationUnveiling Date No of Dead
School groundsWindow  27-Sep-19380

Memorial window, Christchurch

Community contributions

2 comments have been posted about Canterbury University College memorial window

What do you know?

Wil Wright

Posted: 29 Jul 2015

Later this year (2015) the window will be re-dedicated to not only commemorate those who served from Canterbury College, but also those from the School of Engineering, School of Art, Christchurch Boys' High School & Christchurch Girls High School, all of which were once sited on the site that is now known as the Arts Centre of Christchurch Trust.

During the re-dedication ceremony, 5 bronze plaques will be installed below the window, one of which will be a central dedication relating to the expanded dedication of the window, with the remaining plaques displaying the names of those staff members and students who were sadly killed during their wartime service, these number some 235 (images can be supplied on request).

Wil Wright

Posted: 11 Sep 2013

Good afternoon, If possible I'd like to amend to information regarding the Memorial window. Could you please add the following:
The memorial stained glass window commemorates the staff and students from the University of Canterbury who fought in the 1st World War. Over 400 staff and students served throughout the war, of whom 98 were killed and over 20% wounded.

The image (from the top) depicts the mother of humanity, with her babies representing the future generations. Famous historical people are standing on an island of civilization, around this is the sea of chaos, the Roman numerals date the war (1914 – 1918) and the mass of famous historical figures represent Truth, Justice, Courage and Humanity. The ship on the left of the image is HMS Resolution, which Capt Cook commanded. At the bottom NZ Soldiers can be seen fighting hydra monsters which represent Brutality and Ignorance (the Hun).

Many thanks

Wil Wright