This memorial window for Reginald Douglas Farrant can be found in St. Patrick's church in Jurby. He was made Second Deemster of the Isle of Man in April 1925 and held this post until 1934 when he became First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls and position he held until his retirement in 1947. (
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The window depicts King Solomon in regal robes and on his left Zadok the High Priest in the traditional robes of that Office. The King and the Priest stand before The Tabernacle which is cover with fine curtains as described in the Old Testament. Beneath this pictorial representation is a panel of glass with the words:
'TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
REGINALD DOUGLAS FARRANT
WHO SERVED HIM FAITHFULLY
IN CHURCH AND STATE
1877 1952'
The memorial window is in the south-west wall of the church and is adjacent to another memorial stained-glass window in memory of Reginald Douglas' father William Farrant (
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Prior to 1925 Reginald Douglas had been for many years one of the leading members of the Manx Bar and had been High Bailiff of Douglas and Castletown since 1919. (
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Reginald Douglas was the youngest son of Mr William Farrant (
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Throughout his life Reginald Douglas was actively involved in numerous philanthropic activities such as the management of the House of Industry and the War Pensions Committee.
The window was dedicated by the Bishop of Sodor and Man (
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"At this service we give glory to God for the life and work of Reginald Douglas Farrant of the ancient Farrant family, of Ballamoar, of this parish, former First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls and Captain of this Parish of Jurby. It was not, of course, my privilege to know Deemster Farrant and I cannot help feeling it was a very high privilege to be asked to perform the dedication of this window to his memory this morning. I have been able to learn something of his great qualities from those who knew him and from a perusal of some of the judgements which I have read but one can at once see something at least of the high quality of his mind and character as they are revealed in this way. The Church in her wisdom in many ways, not least by her omission in the Order of Burial of provision for any address, teaches us that the final judgment on anyone's life must be left to God who is also our Saviour and our judge. In the case of him whom we commemorate today there is little doubt but that he would have profoundly agreed with that thought and would not have desired in any way that much should be made of all that he tried to do and had done. But we do know that of a surety we commemorate a most learned judge, a devoted Churchman, and a great patriot, one who belonged to that company of great souls, those who look for the city whose foundation is upon God; he was undoubtedly one of the leaders of the people who by their counsels and learning were wise and eloquent in their instructions for the people and as the writer in the Book of Wisdom puts it, "All these were learned in their generation and were the glory of their times."
Continuing the Bishop said the late Deemster Farrant acquired a reputation which went far beyond the Island and they could recall with thankfulness the part he played in the life of State and Church and which was so aptly commemorated in the memorial window. As St. Paul said we should be wise unto that which was good and simple concerning evil and in the case of Deemster Farrant the secret of his life was undoubtedly his love of the Church and her Lord and his eagerness and readiness to join in worship in his parish Church or at Jurby Church and witness to the truth as he found it in Jesus, his Saviour. That was clear from the record of his service to the Church in the Island, not least from his service as honorary diocesan lay reader from 1928 up to the time of his death. There lay the true reason for his greatness and for the fine service he rendered in his day and generation."
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