Memorial Details
Memorial
Stone and 2 pounder Anti-Tank Gun Wakenshaw V.C. 1942 Castle grounds
Reference
B151.02
Place
BRANCEPETH
Map ref
NZ 2238
Original Location
In the courtyard of Brancepeth castle.
Present Location
The 2 pounder Anti-Tank gun is at DLI Collection, Sevenhills, Unit 1 Greenhills Business Park, Enterprise Way, Spennymoor, DL16 6JB
Which war
1939-45
Memorial Description
Stone, rough hewn. At centre top is the badge of the D.L.I. The lettering is carved using sans serif capitals throughout.
Materials used
Stone
Inscription
9th Bn The Durham L.I.
died firing this gun after making his heroic stand
at Mersa Matruh on 27th June 1942
Faithfull
Names
See above
Notes
1. The gun was in the D.L.I. Museum at Durham, in an exhibition featuring Pte. Wakenshaw.
2. The castle was at one time the DLI Regimental depot, and the stone and the gun were the gate guard.
3. The inscription reads Faithfull, D.L.I. inscriptions usually use Faithful.
4. Adam Wakenshaw is remembered at Newcastle on NUT157, NUT160, NUT162 and NUT166 and at Durham on D47.071 and in D47.014a page 47
5. The Durham Bugle September 2000
Adam Wakenshaw VC actions continue to command interest
It has recently been reported that Gordon Dike of Neville's Cross who is a music teacher and composer was inspired to write a stirring seven minute long orchestral piece after visiting the D.L.I. Museum with his father who is a war veteran and seeing the gun and learning about Wakenshaw's great bravery. The music called "The Ultimate Sacrifice" was played by the Durham County Youth Orchestra for the first time at The Edinburgh Festival.
6. Where is the Memorial Stone that was with this gun?
2. The castle was at one time the DLI Regimental depot, and the stone and the gun were the gate guard.
3. The inscription reads Faithfull, D.L.I. inscriptions usually use Faithful.
4. Adam Wakenshaw is remembered at Newcastle on NUT157, NUT160, NUT162 and NUT166 and at Durham on D47.071 and in D47.014a page 47
5. The Durham Bugle September 2000
Adam Wakenshaw VC actions continue to command interest
It has recently been reported that Gordon Dike of Neville's Cross who is a music teacher and composer was inspired to write a stirring seven minute long orchestral piece after visiting the D.L.I. Museum with his father who is a war veteran and seeing the gun and learning about Wakenshaw's great bravery. The music called "The Ultimate Sacrifice" was played by the Durham County Youth Orchestra for the first time at The Edinburgh Festival.
6. Where is the Memorial Stone that was with this gun?
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photograph of stone and gun: Brancepeth Archive and History Group: stone; Dr. R.A. Gould; Brancepeth Archives and History Group; photos of gun: John and Mavis Dixon
The Durham Bugle Issue 1 September 2000 reports orchestral piece of music
The Durham Bugle Issue 1 September 2000 reports orchestral piece of music
External web link
Research acknowledgements
The late Dr. R.A. Gould; John and Mavis Dixon; Durham Light Infantry Collection; Brancepeth Archive and History Group
Research In Progress
Brancepeth Archive and History Group are researching the names on the War Memorial
Stone and 2 pounder Anti-Tank Gun Wakenshaw V.C. 1942 Castle grounds (B151.02)
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
The British Library is preserving this site for the future in the UK Web Archive at www.webarchive.org.uk
Copyright 2013, North East War Memorials Project. Registered Charity No. 1113088
Another Effective Group Website