Memorial Details
Memorial
Reredos 1914-18 Seaman's Mission Church
Reference
S117.32
Place
SEAHAM & SEAHAM HARBOUR
Map ref
NZ
Original Location
Seaman’s Mission Church, Seaham Harbour
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Unveiled 25th July 1922 by Admiral W.F. Slaytor, C.B.; dedicated by Rev. F.J. Cutts, chaplain.
Memorial Description
Reredos in the form of a picture. At centre is a picture of the risen Christ surrounded by angels in armour and (right) St. George. At the bottom is an oval wreath bearing the dates “1914-18" with crossed flags behind, and quotation from John’s Gospel on each side. Right across the top are the words “Death is Swallowed up in Victory”.
The names are listed in a single column in the border down each side, with, at the bottom, (right) the “IHS” monogram and (left) the “Alpha and Omega” monogram. The dedication is in the bottom border. Lettering is gilded in a mix of fonts.
The names are listed in a single column in the border down each side, with, at the bottom, (right) the “IHS” monogram and (left) the “Alpha and Omega” monogram. The dedication is in the bottom border. Lettering is gilded in a mix of fonts.
Inscription
Death is swallowed up in Victory
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
To the Glory of God and in Grateful Memory of / the Men of Seaham who gave their lives at sea during the Great War, / and also of Seamen and Mission Workers killed in action or who died from injuries / received on active service 1914-1918.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
To the Glory of God and in Grateful Memory of / the Men of Seaham who gave their lives at sea during the Great War, / and also of Seamen and Mission Workers killed in action or who died from injuries / received on active service 1914-1918.
Names
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
Mr. Leonard A. Pownall of Falmouth. Oak frame made by Mr. R. Humphrey of Sunderland to the artist’s design.
Notes
1. “The beautiful memorial erected in the Seamen’s Church has been greatly enhanced by the placing of a high power light, reflecting on the reredos, which has had the effect of bringing out the details of the great artist’s work which hitherto has not been seen.”
2. Artist’s description of the painting:
"Our Lord is shown as a Victor over Death in a halo enclosed by palm branches forming a central vesica, the victory over death being indicated by the usual banner. St. Michael is casting out the serpent and St. George has overcome sin in the form of a dragon. On either side we see St. Alban and St. Edmund as types of Christian warriors. St. Alban makes the full surrender to the Lord and St. Edmund offers his Saxon Crown on bended knee. The symbols of the two latter are seen on their shields. Guardian angels above hold martyrs’ crowns. At the base is a laurel wreath with the dates of the Great War and the Union Jack and Red Ensign and along the bottom of the picture the text “Greater Love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends”. The inscription on the frame above the picture is “Death is swallowed up in Victory”.
2. Artist’s description of the painting:
"Our Lord is shown as a Victor over Death in a halo enclosed by palm branches forming a central vesica, the victory over death being indicated by the usual banner. St. Michael is casting out the serpent and St. George has overcome sin in the form of a dragon. On either side we see St. Alban and St. Edmund as types of Christian warriors. St. Alban makes the full surrender to the Lord and St. Edmund offers his Saxon Crown on bended knee. The symbols of the two latter are seen on their shields. Guardian angels above hold martyrs’ crowns. At the base is a laurel wreath with the dates of the Great War and the Union Jack and Red Ensign and along the bottom of the picture the text “Greater Love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends”. The inscription on the frame above the picture is “Death is swallowed up in Victory”.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Postcard: Dorothy Hall
Seaham Weekly News 12/01/1923 makes report in Note 1 above; 28/7/1922 reports unveiling.
Sunderland Echo 02/03/1920 reports proposals.
Sources of quotations:
"Death is swallowed up in victory" Corinthians 15 v 54
"Greater love hath no man . . ." John 15:13
“The souls of the righteous . . . in the sight . . .” all from Wisdom of Solomon Chapter 3.
Seaham Weekly News 12/01/1923 makes report in Note 1 above; 28/7/1922 reports unveiling.
Sunderland Echo 02/03/1920 reports proposals.
Sources of quotations:
"Death is swallowed up in victory" Corinthians 15 v 54
"Greater love hath no man . . ." John 15:13
“The souls of the righteous . . . in the sight . . .” all from Wisdom of Solomon Chapter 3.
External web link
Research acknowledgements
Dorothy Hall
Research In Progress
If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk
Reredos 1914-18 Seaman's Mission Church (S117.32)
SEAHAM HARBOUR Seaman’s Mission Church
Death is swallowed up in Victory
James Arlington Thomas Leonard Smith
Herbert Barksby John Nicol Swan
William Davie Barron Henry Thompson
Robert Stanley Bell Alfred Ward
Robert Samuel Cross Thomas Henry Ward
Matthew Irewick Dodds Simpson Longstaffe Wallace
John James Everist Joseph Watson
Edward Forster Edward Wilson
John Mayor Grayling James Wright
John Joseph Hall MISSION
George Heckles WORKERS
Albert Edward Hopper William Laverick Ather
Charles Keegen Walter James Childs
Joseph Kelly Thomas William Glass
William Richard Martin George William Hunter
William Reed John George Softly
Edward John Roberts John Colin Ward
The Souls of the In the sight of
Righteous are in the unwise they
the hands of God seemed to die
and there shall . . . . .but they
no torment are in peace
touch them Wisdom 3
1914-18
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
-----------------------------------------------
To the Glory of God and in Grateful Memory of
the Men of Seaham who gave their lives at sea during the Great War,
and also of Seamen and Mission Workers killed in action or who died
from injuries
received on active service 1914-1918.
NamesS117.32
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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