How does Five Sisters window elucidate its Restoration and Dedication?
Having secured sufficient funds, the Five Sisters were restored between 1923 and 1925, overseen by the Minster's consulting architect, Walter Tapper.After being reinstated, the newly restored windows were unveiled by the Duchess of York at a dedication service on 24 June 1925, together with an inscription reading, "Sacred to the memory of the women of the Empire who gave their lives in the European war of 1914–1918". The service was attended by 800 relatives of the women whose service was being commemorated, together with representatives from all branches of women's war services. Before the unveiling, the Duchess said,"As an act of most high praise and glad thanksgiving to Almighty God for the lives and devotion of the 1,400 women of the Empire who died for their country in the war, now, in the name of their sisters in all parts of the world, I unveil and restore to its ancient use the Five Sisters Window." Immediately following the unveiling, a prayer was said, including "John Romain [who had overseen the restoration] and all those who laboured with him". At the end of the service, a guard of honour was composed of 70 female VADs from the North Riding of Yorkshire British Red Cross and 50 Girl Guides.Various National Councils of Women from across the British Empire also held services at the same time, or as close as possible to the time of the dedication, including in Toronto, Winnipeg, Adelaide, and locations in Tasmania, South Africa and New Zealand.
VADs York Duchess of York National Councils of Women North Riding of Yorkshire Girl Guides British Red Cross Walter Tapper Window