Memorial Details

Screen and Stained Glass Windows 1914-18 Bible Class Thompson Memorial Hall

M46.15

MONKWEARMOUTH

Thompson Memorial Hall, Dundas Street (Demolished)

1914-18

Unveiled 20th June 1920 by Mrs. Thompson of Winston-on-Tees.

Screen and stained glass windows.
The screen is of classical design, with a horizontal panel at the top with a wreath carved in half relief. Below this, the screen in divided into three panels. From a poor photograph, it seems that each of these panels also has a wreath at the top, and may possibly have carried names.
On each side is a single arched window. The first represents a khaki-clad soldier walking before the figure of Jesus, carrying His cross. The second shows a soldier dying and the Saviour supporting him.
Another description of the windows is of “the ghastly fields of Flanders and of France, the sands of Gallipoli and the Far East, littered with the implements of war and soaked with human blood. The other view is the Great and Noble cause of Freedom and Justice, to the glorious response our brethren had made to the call and claims of such a cause.”
Below each window is a plaque, impossible to read.
A third arched window, flanked by two smaller windows, depicts a single figure, representing the Resurrection.
The Sunderland Echo reports the first shows a khaki clad soldier typical of youth and humanity walking before the broken, bleeding figure of Jesus carrying the Cross, the second window a soldier dying with the Saviour supporting him, whilst the third raised above the others shows a figure representing the Resurrection.

To the / Glory of God / and / in loving remembrance / of the following / members of the / Thompson Memorial Hall / Who gave their lives in the service of their / King and Country for the cause of truth, / righteousness and liberty during / the Great War commencing / August, 1914.

Bible Class and Sunday School

Victor Noble Rainbird. Reed, Millican & Co., Ltd., Newcastle.

1. Mrs. Thompson was the widow of Mr. J.L. Thompson, ship-builder, after whom the hall is named.

2. The building was demolished and replaced by The True Jesus Church building.

3. From the Bible Class, 160 men served with the colours.

4. Rev. E.E. Bennett offered his services as a Chaplain to the Forces for six months under the auspices of the Y.M.C.A.

5. At the unveiling: “Mr T.R. Blumer fittingly presided, and after singing of appropriate Hymns and words of tender remembrance had been spoken by the President, Mrs. J.L. Thompson was called upon to unveil the Windows, the Tablets and the screen. This she did in a few beautiful sentences charged with deep feeling, and as the Memorials stood unveiled before our eyes a great hush fell upon our spirits. After a suitable Dedication Prayer from the Class Secretary Mr. J.W. Turner and the singing of the Hymn: “For all the Saints who from their labours rest” our Minister the Rev. A.C. George rose to give the Address.”

6. It is not altogether clear whether the third window was dedicated as part of the war memorial.

7. Rev. Thomas Fish became resident minister “after a strenuous period as Chaplain to the Forces in France”.

8. An unidentified newspaper cutting tells the story of the discovery by Mr. Stephen Moore of 5 stained glass windows which had been bricked up, when the building was being used by the True Jesus Christ Church. Mr. Moore received warning that the building was to be demolished. He contacted the D.L.I .Museum who agreed to take the two main windows which depicted the D.L.I. soldiers. Reed Millican, who had installed the windows, agreed to remove the windows to the D.L.I. Museum free of charge. Independent Scaffolding of Wallsend were also prepared to help free of charge. The removal was to happen just before the demolition was to begin. A disastrous fire, considered by the police to be suspicious, destroyed them.

Sunderland Echo 21/06/1920 reports unveiling of 3 windows. (Available on The British Newspaper Archive)

Illustrated Chronicle 21/06/1920 reports unveiling.

North Mail 21/06/1920 briefly reports unveiling.

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 26/06/1920 reports unveiling.

Newcastle Daily Chronicle 12/06/1920 carries brief mention of the unveiling.

Memories, Being an Historical survey of the many sided institution known as the Thompson Memorial Hall. Privately published 204mm (H) x 126mm (w) booklet, printed by R.L. Rutter, 1923. (Tyne and Wear Archives Ref: C/SU3/11).

Illustrated Chronicle 1920 06 21 Mon

Dorothy Hall; Alan Vickers; Pasby; Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale; Peter Holt

If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk

 

   To the

   Glory of God

   and

   in loving remembrance

   of the following

   members of the

   Thompson Memorial Hall

   Who gave their lives in the service of their

   King and Country for the cause of truth,

   righteousness and liberty during

   the Great War commencing

   August, 1914.

   Atkinson, W        Glasgow, N.        Old, T.

   Bowen, E.          Gordon, F.         Price, C.H.

   Browning, R.       Gordon, R.         Renwick, G.

   Burlingson, G.W.   Harper, F.         Scott, R.

   Burlingson, E.     Harvey, G.         Smith, A.

   Burnett, R.        Haw, R.            Steadman, R.N.

   Burnham, H.        Hedley, T.         Stoker, R.

   Carnduff, R.       Hopper, S.         Thompson, R.

   Chambers, G.R.     Howard, W.         Todd, W.L.

   Clarke, F.W.       Humphreys, A.E.    Urwin, D.

   Collins, J.        Jepson, S.         Veitch, J.

   Crowe, A.          Kilner, H.         Waggett, C.

   Davison, B.        Kimnair, W.        Watson, S.

   Dickens, F.        Lawther, M.        Watson, T.

   Dodds, V.          Mackie, J.         Wilcox, R.

   Donaldson, J.      Miller, T.         Williams, R.

   Downes, J.         Milne, W.          Wilson, T.

   Egglestone, F.     Mitchell, A.E.     Wilson, T.

   Finkle, A.         Mitchell, J.C.     Worthington, E.

   Fisher, H.         Mitchinson, W.     Young, G.

   Frankland, J.      Nicholson, S.      Yule, W.    

NamesM46.15	 

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