Memorial Details
Memorial
Plaque 1914-18 Whitley Memorial School
Reference
B15.20
Place
BEDLINGTON
Original Location
Whitley Memorial School Chapel.
Present Location
This school was burnt down in 1969.
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Dedicated 8th October 1921 by the Bishop of Durham
Memorial Description
Plaque 4 feet 7 inches high x 5 feet 9 inches wide (1.4m x 1.75). The pediment makes the total height 5 feet 9 inches.
The whole memorial is divided into five panels by more pilaster with carved capitals.
On the central panel the pilasters support a large carved pediment with fleur-de-lys at centre top. The name of the school is painted into a sunken panel. The central panel a background of gold Tudor roses surmounted by a crowns. On this is a picture of St.George with his hand on the hilt of his sword. In the top left hand corner is the St.George’s cross on a shield. The dedication is below this. Surrounding the whole painting is a blue mosaic border containing the quotation.
The two outer wings each bear two sunken panels in which the names are written in gilt lettering.
The whole memorial is divided into five panels by more pilaster with carved capitals.
On the central panel the pilasters support a large carved pediment with fleur-de-lys at centre top. The name of the school is painted into a sunken panel. The central panel a background of gold Tudor roses surmounted by a crowns. On this is a picture of St.George with his hand on the hilt of his sword. In the top left hand corner is the St.George’s cross on a shield. The dedication is below this. Surrounding the whole painting is a blue mosaic border containing the quotation.
The two outer wings each bear two sunken panels in which the names are written in gilt lettering.
Materials used
Dark oak with mosaic picture.
Inscription
Whitley Memorial School / Bedlington
In grateful memory of / members of this school / who gave their lives / in the Great War
1914-1919
Greater love hath no man / than this that / a man lay down his life / for his friends
In grateful memory of / members of this school / who gave their lives / in the Great War
1914-1919
Greater love hath no man / than this that / a man lay down his life / for his friends
Names
Notes
1. Each of the columns of names has an additional name out of alphabetical sequence at the bottom, suggesting that these were added later.
2. Two of those named (C.S.M. T. Smythe & 2nd Lt. M. Dunn), were masters at the school. See also B15.16
3. The plaque was presumed to have been lost in the fire. However, in 2013, the school received a message from Holland. The plaque had been sold by a dealer to a Dutch couple at an antiques fair in the 1970s. Their daughter thought it should be returned to the school and managed to find the school website. The memorial was authenticated and has been returned to the school in June 2013. A new extension was being built at the time and was adapted to accommodate the memorial.
2. Two of those named (C.S.M. T. Smythe & 2nd Lt. M. Dunn), were masters at the school. See also B15.16
3. The plaque was presumed to have been lost in the fire. However, in 2013, the school received a message from Holland. The plaque had been sold by a dealer to a Dutch couple at an antiques fair in the 1970s. Their daughter thought it should be returned to the school and managed to find the school website. The memorial was authenticated and has been returned to the school in June 2013. A new extension was being built at the time and was adapted to accommodate the memorial.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Morpeth Herald 04/03/1921 reports final appeal for names; 07/10/1921 reports proposed unveiling; 14/10/1921 gives more details.
Newcastle Daily Journal 24/11/1920 contains letter outlining proposal to erect memorial and requesting funds, also details of names for inclusion.
Illustrated Chronicle 06/10/1921 reports proposed dedication
Northern Echo 27/11/1920 reports call for names by Mr. William Garthwaite, headmaster.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 20/11/1920 reports proposed memorial; 08/10/1921 reports proposed unveiling today;
Evening Chronicle 08/06/2013 carries photo of returned memorial.
Source of quotation
“Greater love hath no man than this . . .” St.John 15 v 13
Newcastle Daily Journal 24/11/1920 contains letter outlining proposal to erect memorial and requesting funds, also details of names for inclusion.
Illustrated Chronicle 06/10/1921 reports proposed dedication
Northern Echo 27/11/1920 reports call for names by Mr. William Garthwaite, headmaster.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 20/11/1920 reports proposed memorial; 08/10/1921 reports proposed unveiling today;
Evening Chronicle 08/06/2013 carries photo of returned memorial.
Source of quotation
“Greater love hath no man than this . . .” St.John 15 v 13
Links to Source Material :
Additional Research documents (click to download)
Research acknowledgements
J. Brown; Michael Newrick; Dorothy Hall; John S. Perry; Michael Eldridge (Whitley Memorial School)
Research In Progress
If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk
Plaque 1914-18 Whitley Memorial School (B15.20)
BEDLINGTON Whitley Memorial School
At centre top
Whitley Memorial School
Bedlington
------------------------------
Centre panel
In grateful memory of
members of this school
who gave their lives
in the Great War
1914-1919
------------------------------
Picture surround
Greater love hath no man
than this that
a man lay down his life
for his friends
------------------------------
Left hand panel
Armstrong, J.T. Embleton, Wm.
Arries, Mansfield J. Ferrier, Geo.
Baker, Harold G. Ferrier, J.R.
Bell, John A. Foggan, Geo.
Campbell, Jos. H. Gray, Jas.
Carrol, James Glenton, Thos.
Clark, John W. Hale, Alex.
Craze, Robt. Hardy, David
Craze, Wm.J. Henderson, A.J.
Davies, Geo. E. Hindhaugh, G.H.
Dixon, Harry Hobson, Wm.
Dixon, J.W. Hunter, Wm.
Dobson, Wm. Jefferson, Wm.
Dodds, Robt. Jobson, Chris.
Dodds, Peter H. Joisce, Geo. R.
Dunn, Malcolm Jones, John J.
Dunn, Geo. R. Jordan, J.B.
Dunn, Jas. E. Jordan, Jacob
Earl, John Latty, Wm.
Earl, S.H. Leggatt, Alf. J.
Elliott, Dan. Mavin, Anthony
Elliott, Geo. Middlemass, H.
Eltis, Jno. Middlemass, Jos.
Brookes, David Archbold, James B.
------------------------------
Right hand panel
McCabe, Alb. Russell, Alex.
Miller, Robt. Sanderson, John
Miller, John Scott, John
Miller, Thos. M. Scougal, Thos.
Milne, Fred. Scouglas, Jas. F.
Molden, Lawrence Shaw, Francis R.
Newman, Mark Shaw, Wm. R.
Nixon, Joseph Shaw, Robt.
Nordstrom, J.W. Smith, Joseph
Orange, Snowdon F. Smith, W.E.M.
Orange, Jos. T. Smyth, Thos. C.
Patterson, Jos. T. Smyth, Henry R.
Pick, Alfd. J. Stephenson, J.M.
Pringle, Jas. P. Stewart, Thos. L.
Pyle, John Stoddart, Wm.
Richardson, Wm. Stoddart, Alb.
Richardson, Dav. Stoker, Thos. J.
Riddle, Jos. Straker, Adrian C.
Ridley, Wm. Studdy, Melvin
Ridley, Wm. Tindal, Louis
Ritchie, Wm. Treble, Jas. N.
Robson, Wm. Walker, Wm.
Rogers, Geo. T. Weatherley, T.W.
Howe, Lewis. Young, Geo. R.
Fenwick Charles
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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