Memorial Details
Memorial
Crucifix 1914-18 1939-45 Grotto
Reference
B3.01
Place
BAMBURGH
Map ref
NU 182350
Original Location
In an alcove or grotto beneath Bamburgh Castle.
Which war
a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45
b. 1939-45
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
a. Unveiled May 15th (Whit Sunday) 1921 by Lord Armstrong. Dedicated by the Bishop of Newcastle, Bishop Herbert Louis Wild.
b. Unveiled 06/11/1949 by Duke of Northumberland. Service conducted by Rev. S.F.J. Dennett Vicar of Bamburgh. c Rededicat
b. Unveiled 06/11/1949 by Duke of Northumberland. Service conducted by Rev. S.F.J. Dennett Vicar of Bamburgh. c Rededicat
Memorial Description
Crucifix, total height 13 feet and its arms 3 feet wide (3.96 m x 914 mm), on square pedestal, 32 inches high x 49 inches wide (812 mm x 1.24 m) and with stone wreath leaning against the foot of the cross. The figure of Christ is 3 feet 6 inches high. The quotation is on the shaft of the cross, the benediction is carved on the pedestal in sans serif capitals. The words “May they rest in peace” are on the lower pedestal. All lettering is incised using Roman capitals throughout.
To its left and right attached to the walls of the grotto, are two plaques 2 feet 4 inches high x 1 foot 4 inches wide, (711 mm x 406 mm) with cable borders, each bearing ten names from 1914-18. Also on its right and below the other is a third plaque bearing the names from 1939-45. Above each is a shallow plate bearing the dates of the two great wars. Lettering is in raised Roman upper case for the words “Roll of Honour” and lower case for the names.
To its left and right attached to the walls of the grotto, are two plaques 2 feet 4 inches high x 1 foot 4 inches wide, (711 mm x 406 mm) with cable borders, each bearing ten names from 1914-18. Also on its right and below the other is a third plaque bearing the names from 1939-45. Above each is a shallow plate bearing the dates of the two great wars. Lettering is in raised Roman upper case for the words “Roll of Honour” and lower case for the names.
Materials used
White Portland stone with bronze plaques.
Inscription
To the glorious memory / of the men of Bamburgh / who gave their lives for / their Country in the wars / 1914-1919 and 1939-1945
May they rest in peace.
May they rest in peace.
Names
Cost
£500 approx. £320 for the Crucifix, £60/12/- for bronze plaques.
How money was raised
Public subscription.
Present condition
Recreated 2016, helped by a grants from the War Memorials Trust.
English Heritage Listing
Listing requested
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
Designed by Mr. Hicks, of Hicks and Charleworth, Architects, Newcastle upon Tyne; made by Mr. G.W. Milburn of York.
Remade by Mr. Adran Melka, sculptor of York, and Classic Masonry of North Shields.
Remade by Mr. Adran Melka, sculptor of York, and Classic Masonry of North Shields.
Ownership and maintenance
Maintained by Bamburgh Parish Council.
Notes
1. The sculptor also made the reredos in the church
2. At the unveiling, it was announced that there was a surplus of £4 raised over the costs.
3. At a final meeting, it was announced that the total costs had been £429/10/2d. There was a balance in hand of £1/2/6d which was to be kept in case it should be required.
5. Gunner M. Nutman of Bamburgh was awarded the Military Medal. This is reported in the Alnwick Gazette Almanack A11.56
6. In June 2019 the Cross was away being repaired and had been replaced temporarily by a 'There but Not There' figure. The resculpted cross was rededicated in Nov. 2019
2. At the unveiling, it was announced that there was a surplus of £4 raised over the costs.
3. At a final meeting, it was announced that the total costs had been £429/10/2d. There was a balance in hand of £1/2/6d which was to be kept in case it should be required.
5. Gunner M. Nutman of Bamburgh was awarded the Military Medal. This is reported in the Alnwick Gazette Almanack A11.56
6. In June 2019 the Cross was away being repaired and had been replaced temporarily by a 'There but Not There' figure. The resculpted cross was rededicated in Nov. 2019
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: J. Brown; R.W. Gould, P. Thirkell, Dorothy Hall; old postcards: Tony Harding; photo of unveiling: Andrew Brooks
Alnwick & County Gazette 07/05/1921 reports proposed unveiling; 21/05/1921 reports unveiling; 03/09/1921 reports final costs and balance in hand; 13/05/1922 carries the poem "Bamburgh War Memorial" by R. Wake of Bamburgh Castle.
Illustrated Chronicle 17/05/1921 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 21/05/1921 reports unveiling
Berwick Advertiser 10/11/1949 reports unveiling. (Available on The British Newspaper Archive)
Morpeth County Library Postcard collection
Newcastle Central Library photographs c1930, 1966.
Imperial War Museum photographs of unveiling ceremony (photocopies on file)
The Arts and Crafts Movement in the North East of England; Barrie and Wendy Armstrong; 2013; Oblong; 9 780957 599215.
Source of quotation:
"May they rest in peace” Mass for the dead
Alnwick & County Gazette 07/05/1921 reports proposed unveiling; 21/05/1921 reports unveiling; 03/09/1921 reports final costs and balance in hand; 13/05/1922 carries the poem "Bamburgh War Memorial" by R. Wake of Bamburgh Castle.
Illustrated Chronicle 17/05/1921 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 21/05/1921 reports unveiling
Berwick Advertiser 10/11/1949 reports unveiling. (Available on The British Newspaper Archive)
Morpeth County Library Postcard collection
Newcastle Central Library photographs c1930, 1966.
Imperial War Museum photographs of unveiling ceremony (photocopies on file)
The Arts and Crafts Movement in the North East of England; Barrie and Wendy Armstrong; 2013; Oblong; 9 780957 599215.
Source of quotation:
"May they rest in peace” Mass for the dead
Links to Source Material :
Additional Research documents (click to download)
Research acknowledgements
North Sunderland and Seahouses Local History Society; Berwick upon Tweed Town Council; P. Thirkell; Imperial War Museum; Janet Brown; Tony Harding; Andrew Brooks; Dorothy Hall; Andrew Bardgett, Bamburgh Parish Council.
Research In Progress
Bamburgh Heritage Trust
Contact chrismbaldwin@btinternet.com
Contact chrismbaldwin@btinternet.com
Crucifix 1914-18 1939-45 Grotto (B3.01)
BAMBURGH, beneath the Castle.
On the Cross itself :
To the glorious memory
of the men of Bamburgh
who gave their lives for
their Country in the wars
1914-1919 and 1939-1945
May they rest in peace.
---------------------------------------------------
On either side of the Cross
1914-1919 1914-1919
Roll of Honour Roll of Honour
Alfred P. Brewis David P. Rogerson
Guy A. Burdon Sanderson Hugh Ross
William J. Clark Harry Sanderson
Matthew F. Forester James Spratt
Albert Hall George Taylor
Philip Hall George L. Thompson
William Hall John J. Thompson
Alexander T. Laing Thomas H. Wake
James McLaren Wilfrid H. Wake
George A. Matthewson Robert Wilson
---------------------------------------------------
To the right of the grotto
1939-1945
Roll of Honour
William Anderson
Cecil Coskin
Leslie Davidson
Thomas Aidan Gibson
Robert Hall
Ernest B.L. Hart
Nicholas A. Hinson
Charles Morgan
Kenneth S. Morton
James Nairn
David M.D. Potts
George M. Potts
John Humble Sinton
Ian Brack Souter
James Straughan
NamesB3.01
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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