Actors' Church Union

On 7th May 1920 the Actors' Church Union presented a hearse cloth or funeral pall to Westminster Abbey. This was given in memory of their members who had died during the 1914-1918 war. It was presented by the Bishop of Willesden and Ben Greet was the Union representative. The anthem I was glad by Hubert Parry was sung and the hymn Father of day and night.

Dean Ryle had decided that the colour should be white, modelled on medieval examples, rather than the black or purple which had been in use during Victorian times. It was designed by W.D. Caroe and worked by Minna Hollier of Bristol. The white silk brocade is embroidered and sub-divided by gold and string-coloured woven lace with a cross at either end. The badge of the donors appears with the inscription "The Actors' Church Union. As unknown and yet well known". The larger shields show the Royal Arms and those of the Abbey with rose and portcullis badges all over. 

It was used on the grave of the Unknown Warrior in 1920, beneath the Union Flag. It lay on the coffin of Queen Alexandra, wife of Edward VII, at her lying in state in the Abbey in 1925. In Westminster Hall it has been used under the Royal Standard at the lying in state of George V, Queen Mary and Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.