Saint John's Cathedral

The War Memorial Chapel of St. Michael and St George lying on the south side of the High Altar Sanctuary is dedicated to those Antiguans who were killed in the two Great Wars.  On the east wall, above and behind the Altar, is a bronze tablet giving the names of those who fell in the 1914-1918 War.  The names are also set out on a richly illuminated embellished parchment

with appropriate words and designs and among the names so listed are two sons of the Dean and Mrs. Shepherd and two sons of the then Governor of the Leeward Islands.  This illuminated parchment like the one setting out the names of the Bishops of the Diocese is the work of Archdeacon H.J. Jullion of St. Kitts.

On the pillar to the north of this Chapel is a small bronze tablet giving the names of those who fell in the 1939-1945 War.

The Altar in the War Memorial Chapel was originally the High Altar and indeed the only Altar in the Cathedral from 1893 to 1926.  Before 1893, an ordinary table served as an Altar.  In that year, Archdeacon Branch and Mrs. Branch, the boys who were confirmed in 1892 and 1893, together with other past boys of the Antigua Grammar School presented a new Altar to the Cathedral and on Sunday 16th September 1893 it was dedicated to the Glory of God.  This Altar was made by Henry Crosbie, a local joiner, who showed great care and skill in the workmanship.  It is of solid mahogany, the three centre panels being of darker colour than the rest.  On the centre panel is a cross of "yellow sanders".

The brass cross and pair of brass candlesticks on this Altar were presented by Mrs. McDonald, widow of the late Donald McDonald, "in proud and loving memory of our son", Flying Officer Ian Donald Roy McDonald M.C., D.F.C who served in France 1917 - 1918 and was killed in action in Mesopotamia September 22nd 1920.

Two of the four Angels on the tops of the riddel posts around this Altar are a memorial to Mrs. Shepherd, the devoted wife and fellow worker of Dean Shepherd who died in 1936.  These four angels, gilded and so beautifully carved, though seemingly identical, differ from one another in several details e.g. the fold of the garments, the manner in which the hair is dressed, etc.

Under the flooring of the War Memorial Chapel is a large stone slab to the memory of Elizabeth Gilbert who died in 1747.  This spot is probably part of the Chancel of the former Church and the stone slab was no doubt re-laid in the Cathedral approximately over the place in which the coffin was originally interred.  Mrs. Gilbert was the wife of Nathaniel Gilbert who did much work to establish the Methodism in Antigua.

A Propeller, converted to a light fixture and suspended over the Altar came from an aeroplane which was flown by Flying Officer Roy McDonald M.C D.F.C. in France towards the end of World War I.

Lt. (temp. Capt.) Ian Donald Roy McDonald, M.C.
A dashing, fighting pilot. In... two months he (has) destroyed five enemy machines and brought down two others out of control. At all times he showed a fine offensive spirit and complete disregard of danger.  For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. With seven scouts he attacked eighteen enemy machines, of which three were destroyed and one driven down completely out of control. When driven down to within 200 feet of the ground by two enemy machines owing to a choked engine, he turned on them and drove one down. He has in all destroyed eleven enemy aircraft and carried out valuable work in attacking enemy troops on the ground.
http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/mcdonald1.php