A specially commissioned stained glass window has been installed in Loretto School’s Chapel to commemorate one of its former teachers who was instrumental in the 100th anniversary of the 1914 Christmas Truce
Archibald Buchanan-Dunlop, a former pupil and teacher from the school, is to have a the stain glassed window unveiled to commemorate 100th anniversary of the Christmas truce on the western front.
The window depicts Dunlop shaking hands with his German counterpart Hauptmann Maximilian Freiherr (Baron) von Sinner- the commanding officer of the Machine-gun Company of the Prussian 6th Jäger Battalion, who was also involved in the Christmas Truce.
Their historic handshake was a gesture during the extraordinary event of the ‘Christmas Truce’ in Ypres 1914. The positive image of enemy soldiers at peace is juxtaposed with the 148 poppies, representing the 148 Lorettonians lost in the conflict.
The phrase around the shield Gloria in excelsis deo et in terra pax (Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace).
The official unveiling of the stained glass window will take place during special Commemorative Service in the Loretto Chapel on Saturday, 20th December at 11:45 a.m.
The grandsons of Archibald Buchanan-Dunlop and Hauptmann Maximilian Freiherr (Baron) von Sinnerwill come together and unveil the stained glass window.
Jonathan Hewat, Director of External Affairs at Loretto School, said, “ We all grew up with the story of soldiers from both sides putting down their arms on Christmas Day 1914, and it remains wholly relevant today as a message of hope over adversity, even in the bleakest of times.
“We are delighted to be welcoming to the Service relatives of two soldiers involved in this most famous of truces.”
Archibald Buchanan-Dunlop was born in 1874 and joined The Royal Berkshire Regiment in 1894. After a distinguished military career, he returned to the school where he was a pupil in 1908 as a teacher of gymnastics and drawing as well as establishing the Loretto Officer Training Corps, in 1910.
He was awarded the O.B.E. (Civil) for his work as County Army Welfare Officer of the City of Edinburgh and died in Lasswade, Midlothian in 1947.
Loretto School in Musselburgh, East Lothian is Scotland’s oldest boarding school with just over 600 boy and girl pupils aged 3-18.
