Sandham Memorial Chapel

Sir Stanley Spencer (June 30th 1891- 1959)
Convoy Arriving with Wounded
Sandham Memorial Chapel, Hampshire

The Oratory of All Souls Sandham Memorial Chapel, Burghclere, Hampshire is the scene of one of the artist Stanley Spencer`s greatest work.

At this time of remembrance for the fallen in the World Wars, it is perhaps appropriate to recall the work.

It was commissioned from Spencer in memory of Lieutenant Henry Sandham, who had been killed in Macedonia in the First World War.

Spencer modelled it on Giotto’s 14th-century Scrovegni Chapel near Padua.

All of Spencer`s personal experiences of the war and observations of his fellow soldiers, went into the Sandham paintings. The paintings took nine years from conception to completion in 1932.

They encompass Spencer`s experiences in Beaufort War Hospital in Bristol, later in Macedonia.

For more see

The National Trust website

Recovery from the First Peril (1) : The Beaufort Background to Burghclere