Memorial Details
Memorial
Cross 1914-18 1939-45 Roadside
Reference
B48.01
Place
BOTHAL
Map ref
NZ 230866
Original Location
St. Andrew's Church, in the graveyard, fronting on to the road.
Which war
a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45
b. 1939-45
Memorial Description
Cross of St.Cuthbert type, about 15 feet (4.8m) high, with Celtic pattern carving. It stands on a cairn of stones, 200 cm square, the total being about 20 feet (6.5m) high. The cross has a tapering pedestal on which are inscribed the names from 1914-18 on the front, and those from 1939-45 on the side. The date of each war is inscribed on the narrow step below the pedestal.
The lettering is inscribed in sans serif script capitals, apart from the word "Sacred" which is in Gothic.
The names from 1914-18 are listed in two columns, and those of 1939-45 are listed in a single column.
The lettering is inscribed in sans serif script capitals, apart from the word "Sacred" which is in Gothic.
The names from 1914-18 are listed in two columns, and those of 1939-45 are listed in a single column.
Materials used
Stone
Inscription
a. Sacred / to the memory of / these, who in the Great War, / gave their lives, for us at home.
b. To the memory of / these, who gave / their lives in / the World War.
b. To the memory of / these, who gave / their lives in / the World War.
Names
Present condition
Refurbished November 11th 2013
Ownership and maintenance
Wansbeck District Council.
Notes
1. On either side of the cross, the vicar planted a tree. On one side is a weeping ash, to represent the tears of the bereaved. The other is a maple, chosen because it turns red in November, to represent the blood of the fallen. The Vicar was himself the father of Francis Bevis Ellis, who was killed, the vicar being devastated.
2. The cross is also mounted on a mound of boulders to represent the rugged road the servicemen had to tread.
3. “The weatherbeaten Bothal Village war memorial is still the object of discussion by Ashington Council which is to obtain details as to cost of a bronze plaque bearing the names of the fallen. When the need for renovation to the memorial was brought to the council’s attention, there was a suggestion of the names on the memorial should be placed in Bothal Village Church." News Post Leader 19/06/1997 quoting “25 Years Ago” 15/06/1972.
4. Mr. Lackey was gardener to Rev. Ellis. He took a sprig of weeping ash and grafted it to an ash tree already standing behind the iron railings so that it would not take as long to grow as a sapling would. It appears that one of the men, either Rev. Ellis or his gardener, were plant collectors. The acer planted beside the cross is acer septendlullium.
5. The trees on each side had grown to such an extent that the stone could never dry out properly and started to decay. This led to the restoration in 2013.
2. The cross is also mounted on a mound of boulders to represent the rugged road the servicemen had to tread.
3. “The weatherbeaten Bothal Village war memorial is still the object of discussion by Ashington Council which is to obtain details as to cost of a bronze plaque bearing the names of the fallen. When the need for renovation to the memorial was brought to the council’s attention, there was a suggestion of the names on the memorial should be placed in Bothal Village Church." News Post Leader 19/06/1997 quoting “25 Years Ago” 15/06/1972.
4. Mr. Lackey was gardener to Rev. Ellis. He took a sprig of weeping ash and grafted it to an ash tree already standing behind the iron railings so that it would not take as long to grow as a sapling would. It appears that one of the men, either Rev. Ellis or his gardener, were plant collectors. The acer planted beside the cross is acer septendlullium.
5. The trees on each side had grown to such an extent that the stone could never dry out properly and started to decay. This led to the restoration in 2013.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: J. Brown, P. Thirkell, T. Harding; Alan Wallace; photo following rededication: Stephen Humphrey; Pat Pierpoint; Old postcard: George Nairn
Newcastle Central Library Description and photo
Sunday Sun 29/08/1965 page 3.
Morpeth Herald 16/01/1920 gives the story of John Scott of Pegswood.
Morpeth County Library Frith collection of photographs;
The Journal 08/11/2011 carries a photo of the acer in full colour.
Newcastle Central Library Description and photo
Sunday Sun 29/08/1965 page 3.
Morpeth Herald 16/01/1920 gives the story of John Scott of Pegswood.
Morpeth County Library Frith collection of photographs;
The Journal 08/11/2011 carries a photo of the acer in full colour.
External web link
Research acknowledgements
Janet Brown; P. Thirkell; Wansbeck District Council; P. Thirkell; Michael Batey, Bothal; David Wise; Alan Wallace; Stephen Humphrey; Pat Pierpoint
Research In Progress
The names on Bothal memorials are being researched by Mike Shingleton.
Contact: bothalwarmemorial@gmail.com
Contact: bothalwarmemorial@gmail.com
Cross 1914-18 1939-45 Roadside (B48.01)
BOTHAL, St. Andrew's Church
On front
Sacred
to the memory of
these, who in the Great War,
gave their lives, for us at home.
Francis Bevis Ellis, Capt. 10 N.F.
William P. Atkin, Pte. 14 N.F. Thomas Johnson, Pte. 1 Border
John R. Bell, Pte. 6 N.F. Charles Mackender, Pte. 4 Glsr.
Edward Bradbury, Pte. R.G.A. James Malone, Pte. 4 York.
William Bush, Pte. 15 D.L.I. Francis A. MacGregor, Pte. 20 N.F.
Matthew Brewis, Pte. 8 N.F. David Patterson, Pte. 14 N.F.
George Clark, Pte. 7 N.F. George Ratcliffe, Pte. 2 D.L.I.
Charles Cowie, Pte. N.L. John Robinson, Pte. 8 E.York.
Christopher Cowie, Pte. 20 N.F. Henry Rutherford, L.Cpl. 4 N.F.
James Cowie, L.Cpl. 20 N.F. John Scott, Cpl. 7 N.F.
Robert E. Crozier, Pte. 19 N.F. Harrison M. Seymour, Pte. N.Stf.
George Dobinson, Pte. 7 N.F. John T. Thompson, Pte. 4 N.F.
Andrew Dunn, Pte. 12 N.F. William J. Weatherley, L.Cpl. 8 K.R.R.
Joseph Earle, Pte. 23 N.F. Peter White, Pte. 5 N.F.
Ernest Fewster, Pte. 7 N.F. Edward Delaney, A.B. R.N.D.
John Forbes, Pte. 20 N.F. Henry Hardy, A.B. R.N.D.
James Gray, Pte. R.G.A. George Brydon, A.B. R.N.D
Thomas Ireland, Pte. 11 N.F. Cuthbert J. Mavin, A.B. R.N.D.
1914-1919
------------------------
On side
To the memory of
these, who gave
their lives in
the World War
H. Armstrong, P/O, R.A.F.
S.P.C. Cross, E.R.A. R.N.
E. Croyle, A.B., R.N.
C. Chapman, P/O,D.S.M., R.N.
L.N. Dobson, Pte. R.E.
A. Davies, Pte. A.& S.H.
J.H. Ellison, Lieut. R.T.C.
L. Hay, Fus. R.N.F.
J.W. Hall, Pte. K.R.R.C.
W. Hogg, Pte. R.M.
T.W. Kidd, Spr. R.E.
H.B. Lownes, A.B. R.N.
J.A. Patterson, F/O R.A.F.
J.R.B. Robinson, A.B. R.N.
C. Robinson, Pte R.A.M.C.
D.R. Riddell, Tel. R.N.
R. Scrowther, Sergt. R.A.F.
J.A. Tait, S/A R.N.
J.R. White, Sergt. R.N.F.
G.J. Wilkinson, Tpr. R.T.C.
T. Clark, Fus. R.N.F.
J.R. Purvis, Fus. R.N.F.
1939-1945
NamesB48.01
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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