Lychgate 1914-18 St. John the Divine

St. John the Divine Churchyard

1914-18

Unveiled 9th October 1921 by the Duke of Northumberland.
Dedicated by Rev. Canon Mangin.

Stone wall with oak pillars, superstructure and gates

War Memorial Committee

Public subscription

Designed by Messrs. Knowles, Oliver and Leeson

This lych-gate was erected to the glory of God as a thank offering for peace
and in honour of those from this District who served in the Great War 1914-1918.

Lychgate.

Inscription is carved and enhanced with gold lettering in the wood lintel, using elaborate capital letters, with the “U” written as “V.”

1. A brass plaque 41 inches high x 61 inches wide (104cms x 152cms) on the east upright of the timbering reads:-

Renovated
on the occasion of
the Coronation
of
Queen Elizabeth II
June 2nd 1953

2. After all costs had been paid, £49 was still left. This was put towards the costs of the new village hall, opened May 1925.

3. The lychgate was repaired, restored and rededicated 8th November 2015. The beam carrying the dedication was replaced. Funding came from the War Memorials Trust, Catherine Cookson Trust; Sodexo; H.M.P. Northumberland; Acklington Parish Council; Alnwick Castle Estates; J.H. Burn Charity Trust; Guyzance Hall Estate.

Historic England Listing

Photos: J. Brown; T. Harding; P. Thirkell

Alnwick & County Gazette
10/04/1920 records proposals for tablets in church and school, but that sums raised will dictate whether a lychgate is also possible;
09/10/1920 reports that £554 had been raised and proposal for lychgate will go ahead;
24/09/1921 reports proposed unveiling;
07/10/1922 reports fund raising, and reports that a memorial hall was part of the scheme (NRO)

Illustrated Chronicle
10/10/1921 reports unveiling with photos

Morpeth Herald
09/04/1920 reports decision to have a memorial;
15/10/1920 carries brief report on decision re form the memorial will take, and results of fund raising;
30/09/1921 reports proposed unveiling;
14/10/1921 reports unveiling;
05/06/1925 reports opening of new village hall and the transfer of £49 surplus to the hall fund

Newcastle Daily Chronicle
10/10/1921 reports dedication

Newcastle Daily Journal
08/04/1920 reports proposals for memorials in church and schools and a memorial hall

Shields Daily News
24/09/1921 carries brief press report of forthcoming unveiling.

Northumberland Record Office:
Diocese of Newcastle Faculty Book 1, No. 753, 1/7/21, (NRO 1875)

David Wilkinson, East Coquet Local History Society;
R.W. Gould;
David Riches;
Northumberland County Council;
Janet Brown;
Michael Newrick;
Dorothy Hall;
Tony Harding