Memorial Details
Memorial
Cross D.L.I. 1914-18 Bowes Museum
Reference
B135.24
Place
BARNARD CASTLE
Map ref
0416/0516
Present Location
Bowes Museum DL12 8NP. In south west corner of grounds.
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Unveiled 7th July 1921 by the Earl of Durham, Dedicated by the Bishop of Durham.
Memorial Description
Crucifix on very slender tall column, total height 22 feet. On it on one side is the figure of Christ crucified and on the other side is the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus. This stands on an octagonal pedestal, 11 feet in diameter, which stands on three octagonal steps. A laurel wreath is raised in half relief on the side of the pedestal, inside which is the dedication in Roman capitals throughout. On the rear is a stone carving of the D.L.I. regimental badge also raised in half relief.
Materials used
Stainton stone for the base, Clipsham stone for the rest.
Inscription
of the old
Barnard Castle Militia
Durham L.I.
who died
for their country
Aug. 1914-Nov.1918
Names
None
Who commissioned
Officers of 4th D.L.I.
Cost
Borne by Officers of the Regiment.
Present condition
Restored 2009
Ownership and maintenance
Handed over to the Trustees of Bowes Museum at the time of the dedication by Brig.Gen. Sir Herbert Surtees.
Notes
1. “ . . . . went off to Barnard Castle where I dedicated a memorial to the Officers, NCOs and men of the 4th Bn. D.L.I. The memorial consisted of a tall crucifix of stone set up in the grounds of the Bowes Museum. Lord Durham unveiled it and made a speech. Then I dedicated it, and it was handed over for custody to the Trustees of the Museum by Brig. Gen. Sir Herbert Surtees. The beauty of the place seen to advantage in the brilliant weather and the function notable. Everything had been carefully arranged and went off without a hitch. Afterwards we had tea with (Col.) Watson.” (Bishop Henson diaries, 1921)
2. Restoration work in 2009 was carried out by P. & S. Coverdale Masonry Contractors Ltd, with a grant from for £1.034 from War Memorials Trust.
3. Work on the surrounding area was done by Robson Horticulture, Ltd. at the cost of the Town Council.
4. During the late war the battalion had its first headquarters at Forest Hall and afterwards at Seaham Harbour. It was used as a training battalion for sending our officers and men to fill the ranks of the regular battalions and service battalions who were serving overseas . . . over 200 officers and 6.500 other ranks were trained. The quality of the drafts were of such a high standard that they called forth a personal letter of congratulation from Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig . . .” (Consett Guardian)
5. The battalion . . . originated from the old Durham Militia which had its HQ at Barnard Castle since 1757, when the Militia Act came into force. Prior to that, according to old records there was a Militia stationed at Barnard Castle from 1615. It was involved in the Napoleonic Wars 1797-1816. Crimean War saw its revival. The old Militia became the 3rd DLI and the 2nd Battalion became the 4th DLI. It was involved in South Africa. It became the 4th Special reserve Battalion D.L.I.
2. Restoration work in 2009 was carried out by P. & S. Coverdale Masonry Contractors Ltd, with a grant from for £1.034 from War Memorials Trust.
3. Work on the surrounding area was done by Robson Horticulture, Ltd. at the cost of the Town Council.
4. During the late war the battalion had its first headquarters at Forest Hall and afterwards at Seaham Harbour. It was used as a training battalion for sending our officers and men to fill the ranks of the regular battalions and service battalions who were serving overseas . . . over 200 officers and 6.500 other ranks were trained. The quality of the drafts were of such a high standard that they called forth a personal letter of congratulation from Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig . . .” (Consett Guardian)
5. The battalion . . . originated from the old Durham Militia which had its HQ at Barnard Castle since 1757, when the Militia Act came into force. Prior to that, according to old records there was a Militia stationed at Barnard Castle from 1615. It was involved in the Napoleonic Wars 1797-1816. Crimean War saw its revival. The old Militia became the 3rd DLI and the 2nd Battalion became the 4th DLI. It was involved in South Africa. It became the 4th Special reserve Battalion D.L.I.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: Simon Raine; Howard Jemmeson; Dorothy Hall; old postcard Frith B2512: Tony Harding Collection
Auckland and County Chronicle 14/07/1921 reports unveiling;
Teesdale Mercury 05/03/1919; 06/07/1921; 12/07/1919; 13/07/1921; 20/08/1919; 06/07/1921; 13/07/1921
Durham County Advertiser 15/07/1921 reports unveiling and handing over of memorial to Trustees.
Northern Daily Mail 08/07/1921 reports unveiling and handing over of memorial to Trustees.
Illustrated Chronicle 08/07/1921 reports unveiling with photos.
Northern Echo 08/07/1921 reports unveiling
Consett Guardian 08/07/1921 reports unveiling with notes on the battalion history.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 09/07/1921 reports unveiling.
Darlington and Stockton Times (North) 27/11/1920 reports on preparations
Durham County Council Ref: 505/6/2/156
Barnard Castle in old picture postcards Vol.2 carries a photo of the dedication. (Alan Wilkinson, European Library, ISBN 90 288 4939 4 / CIP. 1990)
Bishop Henson’s diaries of 07/07/1921 reports the handing over to the Trustees.
The Barney Crier No.11 Winter 2010, Town Council Newsletter, reports restoration work done.
Auckland and County Chronicle 14/07/1921 reports unveiling;
Teesdale Mercury 05/03/1919; 06/07/1921; 12/07/1919; 13/07/1921; 20/08/1919; 06/07/1921; 13/07/1921
Durham County Advertiser 15/07/1921 reports unveiling and handing over of memorial to Trustees.
Northern Daily Mail 08/07/1921 reports unveiling and handing over of memorial to Trustees.
Illustrated Chronicle 08/07/1921 reports unveiling with photos.
Northern Echo 08/07/1921 reports unveiling
Consett Guardian 08/07/1921 reports unveiling with notes on the battalion history.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 09/07/1921 reports unveiling.
Darlington and Stockton Times (North) 27/11/1920 reports on preparations
Durham County Council Ref: 505/6/2/156
Barnard Castle in old picture postcards Vol.2 carries a photo of the dedication. (Alan Wilkinson, European Library, ISBN 90 288 4939 4 / CIP. 1990)
Bishop Henson’s diaries of 07/07/1921 reports the handing over to the Trustees.
The Barney Crier No.11 Winter 2010, Town Council Newsletter, reports restoration work done.
External web link
Links to Source Material :
Research acknowledgements
Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale; Durham County Council; Tony Harding; John and Mavis Dixon; Howard and Christine Jemmeson; Alan Sewell; Dorothy Hall
Research In Progress
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Cross D.L.I. 1914-18 Bowes Museum (B135.24)
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