The window in the north transept of St David’s is dedicated to the memory of Captain David William Edward Domville. He was the only son of Dr Edward James Domville, who was mayor of the city in 1893 and a churchwarden of St David’s. Dr Domville’s wife Lucy was the daughter of William and Frances Danby of Elmfield House – now The Imperial. The Domville family lived for a time at Northernhay House, which was demolished soon after they moved out in 1913, creating the space on which the Exeter War Memorial was raised ten years later.

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The stained glass window is the work of Henry James Salisbury of St Albans, who was the elder brother of the artist, Frank. It shows the Ascension of our Lord, who stands in glory at the top of the window while his disciples gaze heavenwards in wonder below. There is a variety of colour which contrasts with the earlier windows by Charles Kempe in the nave, which obeyed Caröe’s edict that the colours were to be predominantly browns and yellows.

 

David Domville was born in 1880. After education at Exeter School from 1889 to 1899, he served in South Africa during the Boer War. Sadly, he never recovered from an infection that he picked up during that time. He died on 25 August 1908.

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An interesting feature of the window can be found in the lower left-hand corner, where the symbols of David’s life are depicted. Right in the corner is the badge of the Devonshire Regiment, showing the triple towers of Rougemont Castle. Above that, and partly concealed by it, is the ancient seal of Exeter School, in which three scholars and an all-seeing eye are visible, together with part of the encircling legend “SIGILLUM SCHOLAE SCTI JOHANNIS INTRA CIVITATEM EXON”. To the right, and somewhat lost to the vertical iron bar, is the crest of Queen’s College Oxford (three red eagles) where David was studying for ordination until his final illness. Beside that is the Queen’s South Africa Medal, showing the head of Queen Victoria facing left, with four bars. The lion’s head above, ducally crowned, is the crest of the Domville family, and a version of the family motto “QUI STAT CAVEAT” is over all. Some branches of the family used a fuller version “QUI STAT CAVEAT NE CADAT” (Whoever stands, let him take care lest he fall) echoing the wise advice of St Paul to the Corinthians (1:10:12).

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​Dr Edward Domville died in 1925, his wife Lucy in 1936. Together with their son David and daughter Stella, they are buried just to the right of the path which leads from the northwest corner of the church towards Hele Road.

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