When the World Stands Before Us

Exterior view of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Numerous visitors await entry as the familiar London taxis line-up to take visitors to other sites.
The Victoria and Albert Museum, Kensington, London.
P. Ferguson image, August 2018.

Thread Eleven

The entrance way of the Victoria and Albert Museum is crowded with visitors this August day, anxious to make their way towards their interests and expectations. Throughout the structure countless, precious items are exhibited. Cameras focus and snap on specific items, some objects hold visitors for lengthy terms while others are passed by in favour of something else.

The stunning stained glass windows of the Refreshments Rooms . The room is lavishly decorated with wonderful lights and ornamentation on the walls.
Detail of the Refreshment Rooms, Victoria and Albert Museum.
P. Ferguson image, August 2018.

We have returned here this day to enjoy tea and cakes in the Refreshments Rooms, part of the elder museum that I enjoy. It is here I can sit and imagine the visitors and staff, of former times, who have sat here to become refreshed. A chance to pause within the history. This day I have come here especially for the building’s ornamentations in situ, not within exhibition cases but part of the built structure itself.

A stairway at the Victoria and Albert lavishly decorated with bas-relief. The museum provides much for the eyes apart from the exhibitions.
The details we have come to see. The Victoria and Albert Museum.
P. Ferguson image, August 2018

We have returned to this entry way of world culture to a record of local names passed by in favour of the world alluring. Here amongst the seekers is the Great War Memorial to the staff of the Victoria and Albert Museum who did not return from that conflict. Set up by subscription of the whole staff in memory of their comrades 1920.

When the world stands before us…remember them well.

The Victoria and Albert Museum War Memorial records the names of their fallen with a laurel leaf at the top of the marble plaque. The plaque is installed near the entry and is near to a fine marble column.
The Great War Memorial to the staff of the Victoria an Albert Museum.
P. Ferguson image, August 2018.

The Victoria and Albert Museum Great War Memorial

J.P. Adams
H.F. Arnott
E. Biggs
A.A. Bunting
I. Callender
A. Clark
J. Fergusson
W. Ives
J.J. Lawes
A. McLean
C.G. Mills
W.F. Quickenden
G.C. Siordet
T.G. Stratford
W.T. Toomey
H. Wyer

——-SNIP——-

Previously published Pipes of War website, 15 August 2018