Memorial Details
Memorial
Plaque 1914-18 Primitive Methodist
Reference
B127.03
Place
BIRTLEY
Map ref
2756
Original Location
Primitive Methodist Church, Station Road. On exterior wall on Ravensworth Road.
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Unveiled by Mr. C. Bolam, ?brother in law to Mr. Pickering.
Memorial Description
Plaque 63 inches high x 46 inches wide inserted into the wall. There is a 4 inch-wide plain raised border. It was created in two parts to accommodate the decorative upper tablet which bears a swag of flowers with the head of a lion to the left and a lamb to the right. The names are listed in a single column in sans serif capitals, with the quotation at the bottom in italics.
Materials used
Sandstone
Inscription
In revered memory of / the brave young men associated with this church / who fell in action during the European War / 1914 - 1918
"Greater love hath no man than this / that he lay down his life for his friends"
"Greater love hath no man than this / that he lay down his life for his friends"
Names
How money was raised
Mrs. E. Pickering and Mrs. C. Bolam
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
W. Pickering.
Notes
1. The press report says “What irony of fate that the late Mr. William Pickering of Birtley should beautifully carve a piece of stone for a memorial to the brave lads who had fallen in the war and yet to have his own name inscribed on it!”
“It was a piece of work of the late William Pickering who was endowed with artistic gifts, and as a student of Rutherford College he was busy working on it until the time came for him to leave the college and join the army. It was a most beautiful stone, and the friends of the late Mr. Pickering thought it best to give it to the church that it might be inscribed with the names of the lads who had been associated with the church”.
2. The building is a former Primitive Methodist Chapel, built 1899
“It was a piece of work of the late William Pickering who was endowed with artistic gifts, and as a student of Rutherford College he was busy working on it until the time came for him to leave the college and join the army. It was a most beautiful stone, and the friends of the late Mr. Pickering thought it best to give it to the church that it might be inscribed with the names of the lads who had been associated with the church”.
2. The building is a former Primitive Methodist Chapel, built 1899
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: C. Sanders; Dorothy Hall; K. Blythe
Chester-le-Street Chronicle 26/09/1919 reports unveiling.
Birtley Methodist Church 1899-1999 : Living Stones page 26 contains a brief mention with no details.
Source of quotation
“Greater love hath no man than this . . . "St.John 15 v 13.
Chester-le-Street Chronicle 26/09/1919 reports unveiling.
Birtley Methodist Church 1899-1999 : Living Stones page 26 contains a brief mention with no details.
Source of quotation
“Greater love hath no man than this . . . "St.John 15 v 13.
External web link
Research acknowledgements
C. Sanders; Dorothy Hall; Harry Alton, Birtley Methodist Church; K. Blythe
Research In Progress
If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk
Plaque 1914-18 Primitive Methodist (B127.03)
Birtley Methodist Church
In revered memory of
the brave young men associated with this church
who fell in action during the European War
1914 - 1918
Age Regt. Killed
Peter Grimshaw 27 6th E.Yorks Sept. 17th 1916
Fred Grimshaw 29 D.L.I. Decr. 13th 1916
Robert Grimshaw 31 D.L.I. June 3rd 1917
John J. Lee 21 D.L.I. Jany. 12th 1916
Joseph Barton 18 D.L.I. April 25th1915
William A. Collins 19 RFA July 10th 1916
William Rowntree 22 2nd E.Lancs Augt. 9th 1916
Thomas Fenton 21 D.L.I. Sepr. 29th 1916
Edward R. Dodds 19 K.O.Y.L.I. April 25th 1918
Jesse Walker 32 D.L.I. Dec. 29th 1915
Andrew Clifford 35 R.Fus July 27th 1916
Reuben Harland 23 D.L.I. March 28th 1918
William Turnbull 20 A.B. Nov. 10th 1918
William Pickering age 38 killed Oct. 8th 1918
of the R.E.& Tank Corps.
"Greater love hath no man than this
that he lay down his life for his friends"
NamesB127.03
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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