FILM star David Warner, who starred in the 1997 blockbuster, Titanic, is backing the Southampton appeal to install a major stained glass window commemorating local seafarers who died when the ill-fated liner sank after hitting an iceberg.

This comes as an international competition is launched to find the glazier who will design and install the window in the city’s mother church, St. Mary’s, as a memorial to the 549 seamen who lived mainly in and around the Northam and Chapel districts but were lost when Titanic foundered in 1912.

The infamous sinking, one of the worst in maritime history, inflicted the greatest trauma on Southampton when, overnight, 232 women were made widows and 1,239 children were orphaned.

An established appeal to fund the installation of the window has not only been given a boost by the support of the actor but also by the London based Worshipful Company of Glaziers, which has announced that the prestigious 2016 Steven’s Architectural Glass Art Competition will see the creation of the window for the church, closely connected with the White Star liner, which sailed from the nearby Eastern Docks.

Chairman of the Glaziers’ Company Craft and Competitions Committee, Andy Lane, said: “There are several memorials around the world commemorating many of those who lost their lives on Titanic.

“St Mary’s itself has a memorial to the ship’s musicians who famously played on as she sank, yet, no memorial exists to commemorate all the crew together and the tragedy they suffered.

“This year’s competition will enable entrants to showcase their skill and creativity and gives them a real chance of winning a commission.

“We’d like to encourage as many student and new architectural glass artists and designers to enter as possible.”

Michael Holman, the Stevens Awards scheme co-ordinator added: “We are asking all entrants to incorporate a quotation from the Old Testament book Song of Songs, ‘Many Waters Cannot Quench Love’, in their design, together with the emblem of the White Star, the company that owned the ship.”

Daily Echo:

Friends of St Mary’s Church, together with the British Titanic Society, have been campaigning to raise funds for the window.

The final decision about which of the entrants will receive the design commission rests with the church and the Diocesan Advisory Committee.

A spokesman for the British Titanic Society, said: “To date, a little over £10,000 has been raised towards the design, manufacture and installation of the window, which will consist of three constituent parts, however there is still an estimated £18,000 shortfall.

“Although the society may not achieve the overall target alone, it would like to raise a considerable amount. Having discussed the matter in depth, the officers are agreed it will implement a period of fundraising during 2015."

In the film, David Warner played Spicer Lovejoy, the right hand man, personal valet and bodyguard, of Caledon Nathan Hockley, the main antagonist in the story.

He is one of the very few actors to have appeared in two Titanic movies; firstly, portraying second class passenger, Lawrence Beesley in the 1979 film, S.O.S. Titanic and then as Lovejoy in James Cameron’s lavish production, Titanic.