On the western side of the south porch.

During the Second World War, there were several US airforce bases in Essex, and in 1953, a stained glass window was built commemorating the American men who served here The window consists of three main stained glass panels. On the top side of each panel are three different emblems and below the emblems are running inscriptions. The one on the left is that of the Department of the American Air Force. The middle emblem is the eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and the arrows of war in the other, with the stripes of the US flag and the thirteen stars arranged in a flower above. The emblem on the right is the inspiration for the Stars and Stripes in the Washington family coat of arms. The arms of the family are a white shield with two red stripes across the middle and three red stars above them. The memorial was unveiled by General Griswold and Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery of Alamein on October 17, 1953.

Source of information: www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk, Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register, dawnknox.com

Source of images: Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register

Left stained glass:

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN

PEOPLE OF ESSEX AND THE

PORCH WAS ENRICHED AND

Center stained glass:

GRATITUDE FOR TASKS AND

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

BEAUTIFIED BY ESSEX FRIENDS

Right stained glass:

FRIENDSHIP SHARED BY THE

BETWEEN 1942 AND 1945 THIS

OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IN 1953

The inscription running across the bottom of the three stained glass panels says “To the glory of God and in gratitude for tasks and friendships shared by the people of Essex and the United States Air Force between 1942 and 1945. This porch was enriched and beautified by Essex friends of the American people in 1953.”