Lilian Josephine Pocock

Lilian Josephine Pocock (1883–1974) was a stained glass artist who provided stained glass for a number of buildings, including Ulverston Victoria High School, The King's School and Ely Cathedral. She was also a theatrical costume designer, book illustrator and watercolourist. In her later years, failing eyesight prevented her from continuing her work in stained glass. After some years of retirement she died in 1974.

Early years and studies

Lilian Josephine Pocock, born on 6 May 1883, was the daughter of the Victorian artist Lewis Pocock (1850–1919). From the late 1890s to 1906 she attended Royal Academy Schools and then the Regent Street Polytechnic School of Art, which is now the University of Westminster.

In 1906 she enrolled at the London County Council (LCC) Central School of Arts and Crafts and was taught there by Christopher Whall, Karl Parsons and Alfred J. Drury.

Career

In 1910 she left the LCC School and worked for a time as an assistant to Parsons, who at the time was completing a series of windows for the Apse of Cape Town Cathedral. In 1915 she completed her first church window, a two-light window featuring St Christopher and St Nicholas for Little Marlow church in Buckinghamshire.

Undoubtedly her most prestigious commission was for the series of windows in Wilton church and Christ Church in Golden Square. She also completed three windows for the chapel at Tonbridge School; a three-light window of 1919 depicting St Denis, a three-light window of 1925 depicting St Christopher and a three-light window of 1936 depicting St Augustine of Canterbury. Christopher Whall had made six windows for the chapel from 1903 to 1909 and Parsons had added another in 1915 so Pocock was in illustrious company. It was after the Second World War that Pocock designed and made windows for St Paul's in Herne Hill (East window-1948-9) and Christ Church in Brondesbury (North Aisle-1950).

Works

Wilton Parish Church

Wilton Parish Church in Hawick, Scottish Borders was the source of work for Lilian on many occasions in her life. For instance, within the church hall she completed a stained glass window in 1947.

Other works

Churches and cathedrals

• Church of Christ the King in Gordon Square, Inner London: A two-light window was completed in 1931 this depicting Moses and Aaron. The church was damaged during the Second World War but restored in 1946. Pocock completed five windows for this church which was formerly the Catholic Apostolic Church, of which Pocock was a member.
• Ely Cathedral in Ely, Cambridgeshire – 1920: Working through James Powell and Sons, Pocock designed a three-light window in the North Transept East.
• Lockerbie Dryfesdale Church in Lockerbie: Part of the First World War memorial in this church is a Pocock window.
• St Georges Church in Hawick: Pocock designed stained glass windows for this church.
• St John the Baptist in Little Marlow, Buckinghamshire – 1915: Pocock designed and made a two-light window in the North Aisle, which depicts St Christopher and St Nicholas. This was her first commission.
• Teviot & Roberton Parish Church and Church Halls in St George's Lane, Hawick, Scottish Borders – 1929–1946: All the stained glass in this church is by Pocock save for the West window. The church is described as a: "more austere form of Gothic, with a plain interior enhanced by stylish stained-glass windows designed by Lilian J Pocock".
• Ulverston Grammar School in Ulverston, Lancashire: The school’s First World War Memorial window contains the central figure of St George, a cartoon by Pocock.
• Wilton Parish Church Hall in Dickson Street, Hawick, Scottish Borders: In the church hall there is a Pocock window in the Boys Brigade chapel. This depicts a young Jesus saying that He must be about His Father's business and has the Boys Brigade "BB" symbol above it.

Other types of buildings

• The King's School in Chester, Cheshire: Again working through James Powell and Sons, Pocock designed a five-light window for the school.
• Queen Alexandra's Hospital Home in Worthing, Sussex – 1946: A single light window was completed for the Chapel of the above home which is part of Gifford House. The window depicts the "Miracles of Healing".

Illustrations

• Holmes, E. E. (1913). In Praise of Legend. London: A. R. Mowbray and Company.
• Holmes, Ernest Edward. The Message of the Soldiers.
• Hollis, Gertrude. That Land and This.