Memorial Details
Memorial
Cross 1914-18 St. Michael's Churchyard
Reference
B141.01
Place
BISHOP MIDDLEHAM
Map ref
NZ 325313
Original Location
St. Michael’s Churchyard, Church Street DL17 9AF. Left hand side of entrance to churchyard.
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Unveiled 9th October 1921 by Lt.Col. Thomlinson of Seaton Carew. Dedicated by Archdeacon Derry. See Note 1 below.
Memorial Description
Cross, of wheel type, total height 12 feet, on square tapering stone pedestal on three steps, set at the head of a “grave surround” with low kerb. The dedication is on the front of the pedestal, the names are carried on the other faces. The lettering is incised and whitened using elaborate Roman capitals throughout.
Materials used
Polished granite.
Inscription
To the glory of God / and in loving memory of / the men of / Bishop Middleham / and Mainsforth / who laid down their lives / in the Great War 1914-1918.
Greater love hath no man than this, / that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Greater love hath no man than this, / that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Names
Who commissioned
War Memorial Committee comprised of disabled soldiers and sailors.
Cost
£245
How money was raised
Public subscription.
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
Ainsley and Collins of West Hartlepool.
Faculty also gives Francis Jones, Sculptor, West Hartlepool.
Notes
1. In “Sedgefield and Bishop Middleham” is the following quotation which appears to give a different date for the unveiling:
“St. Michael’s Churchyard, October 1920. General Sir Herbert Conyers Surtees of Mainsforth Hall pays tribute to the men of the parish who fell in the First World War. The Revd. W.G. Davison officiated at the service held during the unveiling ceremony of the War Memorial raised from public subscription”.
2. Lieut.Col. Tomlinson was a director of Carlton Iron Co., owners of Mainsforth Colliery.
3. In 2013 the War Memorial was found to be unstable, with the help of funding from War Memorials Trust, Heritage Lottery and the Parish Council refurbishment took place. The Cross was moved slightly away from the wall and reset in place.
4. A rededication service took place on Thursday July 10th 2014 taken by the Bishop of Jarrow, Mark Bryant. The local school, scouts and brownies as well as representatives from the Parish Council, Durham County Council, War Memorials Trust, NEWMP and the Durham Light Infantry were in attendance.
5. A book Bishop Middleham and Mainsforth World War 1 Commemoration 2014 has been produced and is available from Bishop Middleham Post Office price £10
“St. Michael’s Churchyard, October 1920. General Sir Herbert Conyers Surtees of Mainsforth Hall pays tribute to the men of the parish who fell in the First World War. The Revd. W.G. Davison officiated at the service held during the unveiling ceremony of the War Memorial raised from public subscription”.
2. Lieut.Col. Tomlinson was a director of Carlton Iron Co., owners of Mainsforth Colliery.
3. In 2013 the War Memorial was found to be unstable, with the help of funding from War Memorials Trust, Heritage Lottery and the Parish Council refurbishment took place. The Cross was moved slightly away from the wall and reset in place.
4. A rededication service took place on Thursday July 10th 2014 taken by the Bishop of Jarrow, Mark Bryant. The local school, scouts and brownies as well as representatives from the Parish Council, Durham County Council, War Memorials Trust, NEWMP and the Durham Light Infantry were in attendance.
5. A book Bishop Middleham and Mainsforth World War 1 Commemoration 2014 has been produced and is available from Bishop Middleham Post Office price £10
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: Simon Raine; Dorothy Hall; old postcard: G. Nairn
Durham County Advertiser 14/10/1921 carries report of unveiling.
Stanley News 13/10/1921 carries report of unveiling.
Diocese of Durham Faculty number 1039, issued 6th October 1921
Evening Despatch 08/10/1921 reports proposed unveiling tomorrow; 10/10/1921 reports unveiling.
Stanley News 13/10/1921 reports unveiling.
Auckland and County Chronicle 13/10/1921 reports unveiling.
Sedgefield and Bishop Middleham (Frank Bellwood and Sedgefield L.H.S.
Bishop Middleham and Mainsforth World War 1 Commemorations 2014 L. Johnson and H. Boorman; 2014
Source of Quotation
“Greater love hath no man . . .” St. John 15 v 13
Durham County Advertiser 14/10/1921 carries report of unveiling.
Stanley News 13/10/1921 carries report of unveiling.
Diocese of Durham Faculty number 1039, issued 6th October 1921
Evening Despatch 08/10/1921 reports proposed unveiling tomorrow; 10/10/1921 reports unveiling.
Stanley News 13/10/1921 reports unveiling.
Auckland and County Chronicle 13/10/1921 reports unveiling.
Sedgefield and Bishop Middleham (Frank Bellwood and Sedgefield L.H.S.
Bishop Middleham and Mainsforth World War 1 Commemorations 2014 L. Johnson and H. Boorman; 2014
Source of Quotation
“Greater love hath no man . . .” St. John 15 v 13
External web link
Links to Source Material :
Additional Research documents (click to download)
Research acknowledgements
Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale; C. Sanders, John and Mavis Dixon; Tony Harding; Dorothy Hall; George Nairn
Research In Progress
The names on Bishop Middleham memorial are being researched. Contact: lindsay.johnston@hotmail.co.uk
Cross 1914-18 St. Michael's Churchyard (B141.01)
BISHOP MIDDLEHAM St. Michael’s Churchyard
Front
To the glory of God
and in loving memory of
the men of
Bishop Middleham
and Mainsforth
who laid down their lives
in the Great War 1914-1918.
--------------------------------
Bottom pedestal:
“Greater love hath no man than this
that a man lay down his life for his friends”
--------------------------------
Right face: Rear: Left face:
Barton, R. Davison, A. Maddison, J.
Bell. P. Hirst, F. Murray, T.
Bulman, R. Hutchinson, W.T. Robinson, P.D.
Burney, J. Johnson, R.W. Smith, A.
Campan, A. Laverick, T. Taylor, G.S.
Crake, J. Lee, J.S. Walker, J.W.
Duffield, G. Legge, T.T. Watson, J.
NamesB141.01
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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