Memorial Details
Memorial
Obelisk 1914-18 St. Mary Magdalene Churchyard
Reference
B137.01
Place
BELMONT
Map ref
NZ 303437
Original Location
St. Mary Magdalene Churchyard,
to the north of the church.
to the north of the church.
Present Location
Carrville High Street almost in line with the pedestrian island crossing from the Blue House Shops, on a site adjoining the churchyard on the north-east side.
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Unveiled 11th November 1919 by Rt.Rev. The Lord Bishop of Durham.
Rededicated after restoration and removal to new site on 8th November 2009.
Rededicated after restoration and removal to new site on 8th November 2009.
Memorial Description
Obelisk on pedestal on a base standing on three steps. The dedication is on the front face of the top step, the names are carried in a single column on each face of the pedestal. The lettering is in gilded sans serif capitals.
This has been replaced by a paved area inside a fenced compound. The obelisk and pillars for later wars now stand within a kerb which bears the Kohima quotation on the front. The memorial formerly stood within a kerbed area filled with stone chippings.
This has been replaced by a paved area inside a fenced compound. The obelisk and pillars for later wars now stand within a kerb which bears the Kohima quotation on the front. The memorial formerly stood within a kerbed area filled with stone chippings.
Materials used
Red Peterhead granite obelisks and plinths.
Inscription
On obelisk
In ever grateful remembrance of / the men of this parish / who have given their lives for / King and Country in the Great War / 1914 – 1919
This monument is erected / by public subscription.
Mors janua vitae
On new plaque
Belmont War Memorial / was moved to this location in 2009 / thanks to the generous support of / County Durham Environment Trust, / Belmont Parish Council, / Durham City and County Councillors, Belmont Community Association and / Residents of the Parish of Belmont.
In ever grateful remembrance of / the men of this parish / who have given their lives for / King and Country in the Great War / 1914 – 1919
This monument is erected / by public subscription.
Mors janua vitae
On new plaque
Belmont War Memorial / was moved to this location in 2009 / thanks to the generous support of / County Durham Environment Trust, / Belmont Parish Council, / Durham City and County Councillors, Belmont Community Association and / Residents of the Parish of Belmont.
Names
Cost
a. Estimated £184.
How money was raised
Public subscription
Present condition
Lettering regilded in 2008. Whole monument moved to a new site in November 2009.
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
Emley & Sons, Newcastle.
Ownership and maintenance
Belmont Parish Council
Notes
1. The names were repainted in 1928. They were repainted in 1947 by the 1939-45 Committee after consultation with the surviving members of the 1914-18 Committee. They were repainted again in 1980, by John Lowes and Sons of Durham, the cost being met from the balance remaining in the church fund. They were regilded in 2008 by Scott & Sons of Seaham.
2. Further repairs to loose stones were paid for in 1996-7 by the Parish Council.
3. At the original unveiling, two wreaths were laid, one by Belmont Working Party and the other by children from Gilesgate Moor School.
4. In 2008 a Small Grants Scheme of £571 was made by War Memorials Trust towards the costs of repairs.
5. The name “Gaffeny” is mis-spelt and should be “Gaffney”. It is correctly spelled on other memorials.
6. The original unveiling took place in a heavy snowstorm.
2. Further repairs to loose stones were paid for in 1996-7 by the Parish Council.
3. At the original unveiling, two wreaths were laid, one by Belmont Working Party and the other by children from Gilesgate Moor School.
4. In 2008 a Small Grants Scheme of £571 was made by War Memorials Trust towards the costs of repairs.
5. The name “Gaffeny” is mis-spelt and should be “Gaffney”. It is correctly spelled on other memorials.
6. The original unveiling took place in a heavy snowstorm.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos before restoration: Simon Raine; George Kitching; photos after rededication: David Drinkwater; Dorothy Hall
Parochial Church Minutes.
Diocese of Durham Faculty 857 8th September 1919
Durham Chronicle 14/11/1919 reports unveiling
North Mail 17/11/1919 carries brief report of progress.
Northern Echo 17/1/2009 reports proposals for the move; 25/10/2009 reports progress on move
?Durham Times 16/01/2009 reports plans for the move.
Source of quotation: “Mors janua vitae” (“Death is the path to life”) Not ascertained.
Parochial Church Minutes.
Diocese of Durham Faculty 857 8th September 1919
Durham Chronicle 14/11/1919 reports unveiling
North Mail 17/11/1919 carries brief report of progress.
Northern Echo 17/1/2009 reports proposals for the move; 25/10/2009 reports progress on move
?Durham Times 16/01/2009 reports plans for the move.
Source of quotation: “Mors janua vitae” (“Death is the path to life”) Not ascertained.
External web link
Additional Research documents (click to download)
Research acknowledgements
Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale; John & Mavis Dixon; Belmont Parish Council; Dorothy Hall; Dave Drinkwater; George Kitching
Research In Progress
A Book called "For Your Tomorrow we gave our today. The stories behind Belmont War Memorial" was written by D.J. Drinkwater and prepared for publication by G.S. Kitching. These have now sold out. We have now been sent the text of this book for placing on the website, which is very generous. This is now an additional document which can be seen above.
Obelisk 1914-18 St. Mary Magdalene Churchyard (B137.01)
BELMONT St. Mary’s Churchyard,
Front face of obelisk
Sergeant J.T. Bunce D.L.I.
Corporal J. Tremayne . .
Private J. Alderson . .
. . J. Bell . .
. . A. Carr . .
. . G. Cockburn . .
. . T. Cowell . .
. . E. Craggs . .
. . R.W. Dawson . .
. . G.W. Gray . .
. . G.W. Hamilton . .
. . J. Hodgson . .
. . F. King M.M . . .
. . J.W. Kirkwood . .
. . B. Liddle . .
. . R.A. Martin . .
. . S. Murton . .
. . W. Oliver . .
. . T.B. Pyburn . .
. . G.W. Smith . .
. . H. Watson . .
. . A.A. Wright . .
. . J. Wynne . .
-------------------------------------------
On riser of top step
In ever grateful remembrance of
the men of this parish
who have given their lives for
King and Country in the Great War
1914 – 1919
This monument is erected
by public subscription.
Mors janua vitae
-------------------------------------
First pillar
E.R. Artificer G. Harle R. Navy
L. Corporal R. Elliott N.L.
Private N. Modral R.M.F.
. . L. Wilson R.A.F.
. . T. Craddock S. Staffs
. . E. Morgan R.G.A.
. . J. Rowell R.F.
Bugler G. Liddle K.R.R.C.
Sapper A. Thomas R.E.
Gunner C.S. Rowell R.G.A.
Private C. Metcalf D.L.I.
. . F. Brown 13. Hussars
. . R.W. Muncaster Yorks
. . W Stoker W. Yorks
. . S. Bunce 4. Yorks.
. . A. Gray N.F.
. . J. Watson R.D.F.
. . D. Bunce N.F.
. . A. Little M.G. Corps
----------------------------------------
Second pillar
L. Corporal W.H. Patterson N.F.
Private A.P. Coulson . .
. . A.E.B. Coulson . .
. . J. Ivison . .
. . T. Jones . .
. . J.W. Jarvis . .
. . P. Watson . .
. . G.W. Williams . .
. . G. Harris . .
Corporal W. Gaffeny Yorks
. . J.W. Wright . .
Private J.M. Clarkson . .
. . M.S. Shaw . .
. . J. Graham . .
. . P. Richardson R.F.A.
. . A. Short . .
. . J.A. Robinson . .
. . F. Ivison . .
. . D. Hindson Buffs
. . E.R. Wright . .
. . G. Robson Lab. Corps.
NamesB137.01
You are looking at all the information and the best images we have so far on this memorial. If you can supply more information or better images please get in touch by sending an email to enquiries@newmp.org.uk.
Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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