Memorial Details
Memorial
Statue South Africa 1899-1902 St. Cuthbert's Churchyard
Reference
D40.056
Place
DARLINGTON
Map ref
NZ 291144
Original Location
The site is at St Cuthbert's Green, at the bottom of Tubwell Row. Within St Cuthbert's churchyard.
Which war
South Africa 1899-1902
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
5th August 1905. Unveiled by Field Marshall Lord Roberts. Dedicated by Rev. F.W. Mortimer, vicar of Darlington.
Memorial Description
Statue of soldier, life size, in khaki tropical kit, with rifle, ready to charge at the enemy, set on a granite irregular shaped base weighing 14 tons. Total height 20 feet (6.9m). There is a random-shaped bronze plaque, approx. 3 feet 4 inches high x 2 feet 4 inches wide, (1.1m x 711mm) on each of the four faces of the pedestal. The dedication is on the front plate, the names are on the other three. The lettering is in raised sans serif capitals throughout.
Materials used
Bronze statue, Peterhead granite pedestal, steps of Shap granite.
Inscription
This memorial / was erected by 5576 / subscribers as a tribute to / the memory of the brave men / of Darlington who volunteered and served / the Empire in the South African War / 1899-1902.
Names
Who commissioned
Darlington Corporation
Cost
£500
How money was raised
Public subscription
Present condition
Good
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
Built by the Leeds Slate and Quarry Co. of Leeds.
Notes
1. This memorial is better documented than even the Memorial Hospital and the local library has a folder of material about it.
2. Field Marshall Lord Roberts was given the Freedom of the Borough, before the War Memorial unveiling. He stayed at Mowden Hall the home of Councillor W. E. Pease.
3. At the same time as the unveiling, a gathering [local Peace Association], at the Quaker Meeting House expressed their regret at the "aggressive character" of the memorial. Invited people to spend time in prayer 'with a desire that a peaceful spirit may spread in our own and other countries'. But it was to late to cancel the arrangements and contract.
4. The soldier’s bayonet was snapped off in the early 1950s by children swinging from it on a rope.
5. At least nine sites were suggested. Most were rejected as being in the way of tramlines or road widening schemes. The monument is, in fact, set well back to Bridge Row to avoid the road widening which never happened. South Park was also suggested as a site.
The site is at St Cuthbert's Green, at the bottom of Tubwell Row.
6. Simon Raine as a small boy was told by his grandfather that the way the figure is holding his rifle is quite wrong.
7. The townsfolk were invited to decorate their premises for the occasion, especially along the route of the procession.
8. Field Marshall Lord Roberts was presented with a silver gilt casket. See Parish Page.
9. The Memorial was built on top of where a 'dirty fountain' was located.
10. There was many acrimonious correspondence about delays and deviations from the contract, the firm supplied the statue, four Bronze plates and a base of three pieces of granite.
11. Darlington Corporation decided there should be a Memorial in 1903.
12. There was a guard of honour provided by the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry from Mowden Hall to St Cuthbert's Green.
13.
2. Field Marshall Lord Roberts was given the Freedom of the Borough, before the War Memorial unveiling. He stayed at Mowden Hall the home of Councillor W. E. Pease.
3. At the same time as the unveiling, a gathering [local Peace Association], at the Quaker Meeting House expressed their regret at the "aggressive character" of the memorial. Invited people to spend time in prayer 'with a desire that a peaceful spirit may spread in our own and other countries'. But it was to late to cancel the arrangements and contract.
4. The soldier’s bayonet was snapped off in the early 1950s by children swinging from it on a rope.
5. At least nine sites were suggested. Most were rejected as being in the way of tramlines or road widening schemes. The monument is, in fact, set well back to Bridge Row to avoid the road widening which never happened. South Park was also suggested as a site.
The site is at St Cuthbert's Green, at the bottom of Tubwell Row.
6. Simon Raine as a small boy was told by his grandfather that the way the figure is holding his rifle is quite wrong.
7. The townsfolk were invited to decorate their premises for the occasion, especially along the route of the procession.
8. Field Marshall Lord Roberts was presented with a silver gilt casket. See Parish Page.
9. The Memorial was built on top of where a 'dirty fountain' was located.
10. There was many acrimonious correspondence about delays and deviations from the contract, the firm supplied the statue, four Bronze plates and a base of three pieces of granite.
11. Darlington Corporation decided there should be a Memorial in 1903.
12. There was a guard of honour provided by the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry from Mowden Hall to St Cuthbert's Green.
13.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photo: Simon Raine; C. Sanders; Old postcards:Tony Harding
Darlington and Stockton Times 07/04/1904 page 4; 12/11/1904 page 7; 13/05/1905 page 6; 06/08/1955 page 6
Northern Echo 27-28-29/07/1905; 31/07/1905; 01/08/1905; 05/08/1905 page 7
Darlington Public Library envelope ref. U418d containing 31 items; Wooler-Book of Cuttings III pages 55, 72-7,89, 135, 193.
Darlington in Old Picture Postcards pages 5 and 6.
4th Royal Warwickshire Regiment For remembrance and in honour of those who lost their lives in the South African War 1899-1902. James Gildea, Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1911.
Darlington and Stockton Times 07/04/1904 page 4; 12/11/1904 page 7; 13/05/1905 page 6; 06/08/1955 page 6
Northern Echo 27-28-29/07/1905; 31/07/1905; 01/08/1905; 05/08/1905 page 7
Darlington Public Library envelope ref. U418d containing 31 items; Wooler-Book of Cuttings III pages 55, 72-7,89, 135, 193.
Darlington in Old Picture Postcards pages 5 and 6.
4th Royal Warwickshire Regiment For remembrance and in honour of those who lost their lives in the South African War 1899-1902. James Gildea, Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1911.
External web link
Additional Research documents (click to download)
Research acknowledgements
Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale; C. Sanders; Tony Harding; Dorothy Hall; George Nairn
Research In Progress
If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk
Statue South Africa 1899-1902 St. Cuthbert's Churchyard (D40.056)
DARLINGTON : St. Cuthbert’s Churchyard,
First plaque:
This memorial
was erected by 5576
subscribers as a tribute to
the memory of the brave men
of Darlington who volunteered and served
the Empire in the South African War
1899-1902.
Killed in Action
Col. J.G. Wilson. of Cliffe. 3rd Y. and L. Regt.
Sergt. C.S. Luck N.H.I.Y
Died of Wounds or Sickness
Col. R.B. Wilson C.M.G. 3rd D.L.I
Lieut. R.B. Wilson of Cliffe. I.Y
“ D.C. Barningham X.X.B. I.Y
Corpl. J.C. Denton N.H.I.Y
“ F.A. Lawrie S.A.C
Trooper T.T. Ianson “
“ W. Iddison “
“ H. McNiel Lawrie, Bethune’s M.I.
“ A.S. Pattison, N.H.I.Y.
-----------------------------------------------------
Second plaque
Members of 1st V.B. D.L.I.
Who served with 1st B. D.L.I.
Capt. H.Bowes
Lieut. H. Ensor Lieut. F.S Warwick
Sergt. E. Hogg Corpl. R.W. Benson
Corpl. A. Robinson Pte. F. Abram
Pte. E.T. Atkinson “ F.W. Donnison
“ J. Foster “ W.H. Gill
“ A. Goldsborough “ W.C. Hogg
“ R. Harrison “ A. Hearfield
“ J. Huddart “ J.T. King
“ J. Laybourn “ S. Milburn
“ H.R. Marshall “ T. McDermott
“ J.T. Noble “ W.J. Priestman
“ R.D. Proudfoot “ B. Sturgeon
“ E.R. Timms “ E. Watson
Members of 1st V.B. D.L.I.
who served with 2nd B.N.F.
Sergt. E. Sheriff Pte E. Brownridge
Pte. G. French “ A. Henderson
“ P.H. Tennant “ J.R. Peacock with C.C.C
-----------------------------------------------------
Third plaque
Served with S.A.C.
Staff Sergt Major Wynzar
Trooper W. Longstaff Trooper J.W. Atkinson
“ R.W. Mitchell “ T. Binks
“ A.E. Overton “ A. Colling
“ E. Robinson “ J. Curry
“ R.P. Smith “ J.C. Forster
Trooper J.W. Walkinson
Members of 1st B.V. D.L.I.
who served with S.A.C.
Trooper E. Brownless Trooper W.E. Brownless
Trooper F.W. Taylor
Sergt. E.J. Davidge served with Prince of Wales’ L.H.
Corpl. J. Dowson, Protectorate Regt.
Trooper J.E. Drummond, Roberts’ L.H.
Trooper C.O. Hilton B.M.R.
“ J.A. Porterfield, Army P.O. Corps (680)
-----------------------------------------------------
Fourth plaque
Served with Imp. Yeo.
Capt M.R.Backhouse D.S.O.
Lieut W.H. Putnam Lieut W. Coates
“ J.D. Swarbreck “ A.R. Taylor
Sergt J.G. Byers Corpl F.H. Layton
“ M. McCleod “ F. Summerbell
“ P.E. Watson L.Corpl J.R.I. Hopkins
Corpl. E.G. Hoskins Farrier A.E. Bell
Trooper T. Boddington Trooper W. Bowman
“ G. Burns “ W. Chapman
“ E.W. Clarke “ J.H. Dixon
“ A.M. Douglas “ G.M. Elston
“ N. Gill “ J. Hall
“ T. Harper “ A. Irwing
“ R. Jamieson “ F.W. Jaques
“ E. Maynard “ H.P. Murray
“ J.H. Northall “ J.F. Smythe
“ W.S. Temple “ A. Thornton
“ T. Thornton “ C.N. Warwick
“ R. Watson “ H.R. Wilson
Corpl M.E. Elgey 1st V.B.D.L.I
Trooper J.A. Kennaugh “
“ A. MacCulloch “
“ F. Martin “
“ C. Stabler “
------------------------------------------------------
The Unveiling Programme reveals some differences:
“This monument was erected by 5,576 subscribers as a tribute to the memory of the brave men of
Darlington who volunteered and served in the Empire in the South African War, 1899-1902”.
Killed in Action
Colonel John Gerald Wilson, C.B., of Cliffe, 3rd Yorks. and Lancashire Regiment.
Sergeant C.S. Luck, Northumberland Hussars, Imperial Yeomanry.
DIED OF WOUNDS OR SICKNESS
Colonel Richard Bassett Wilson, C.M.G., 3rd Durham Light Infantry
Lieutenant Richard Bassett Wilson, of Cliffe, Imperial Yeomanry.
Lieutenant Darnley Christopher Barningham, 20th Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry.
Corporal John C. Denton, Northumberland Hussars, Imperial Yeomanry.
Corporal Fred Alex. Laurie, South African Constabulary.
Trooper Thomas Todd Ianson, South African Constabulary.
Trooper William Iddison, South African Constabulary.
Trooper Hugh McNeil Laurie, Bethune’s Mounted Infantry.
Trooper A.S. Pattison, Northumberland Hussars, Imperial Yeomanry.
The following is the list of men who Volunteered and Served in South Africa.
IMPERIAL YEOMANRY
Captain Miles R. Backhouse Farrier A.E. Bell Trooper Richard Jamieson
D.S.O. Trooper T. Boddington Trooper F.W. Jaques
Lieutenant W.H. Putnam Trooper W. Bowman Trooper E. Maynard
Lieutenant W. Coates Trooper G. Burns Trooper Henry Patrick Murray
Lieutenant J.D. Swarbreck Trooper Wildred Chapman Trooper J.H. Northall
Lieutenant A.R. Taylor Trooper E.W. Clarke Trooper J.F. Smythe
Sergeant J.G. Byers Trooper J.H. Dixon Trooper Wm. Summers Temple
Sergeant W. McLeod Trooper Alfred M. Douglas Trooper A. Thornton
Sergeant Percy E. Watson Trooper George M. Elston Trooper T. Thornton
Corporal E. Gilbert Hoskins Trooper Nathan Gill Trooper G.N. Warwick
Corporal F.H. Layton Trooper J. Hall Trooper Rowland Watson
Corporal F. Summerbell Trooper Trefaulx Harper Trooper H.R. Wilson
Lance-Corpl.J.R. Innes-Hopkins. Trooper A. Irwing.
1st Volunteer Battalion Durham Light Infantry, served with Imperial Yeomanry.
Corporal M.E. Elgey Trooper A. MacCulloch Trooper G. Stabler
Trooper J.A. Kennaugh Trooper Frank Martin
1st Volunteer Battalion Durham Light Infantry
Served with 1st Battalion Durham Light Infantry
Captain Hugh Bowes Private James Foster Private Sydney Milburn
Lieutenant H. Ensor Private W.H. Gill Private H.R. Marshall
Lieutenant F.S. Warwick Private A. Goldsbrough Private T. McDermott
Sergeant E. Hogg Private William Coates Hogg Private J.T. Noble
Corporal R.W. Benson Private R. Harrison Private W.J. Priestman
Corporal A. Robinson Private A. Hearfield Private R.D. Proudfoot
Private F. Abram Private J. Huddart Private B. Sturgeon
Private E.T. Atkinson Private J.R. King Private E.R. Timms
Private F.W. Donnison Private J. Laybourn Private E. Watson
Served with 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
Sergeant G. Sheriff Private G. French Private P.H. Tennant
Private E. Brownbridge Private A. Henderson
Private R. Peacock, served with Composite Cycle Corps.
South African Constabulary
Staff Sergeant-Major Wynzar Trooper J. Curry Trooper Arthur Edwin Overton
Trooper John William Atkinson Trooper J.C. Forster Trooper Ernest Robinson
Trooper Tom Binks Trooper William Longstaff Trooper Rowland P. Smith
Trooper Arthur Colling Trooper R.W. Mitchell Trooper J.W. Walkinson
1st Volunteer Battalion Durham Light Infantry, served with South African Constabulary
Trooper E. Brownless Trooper W.F. Brownless Trooper F.W. Taylor
Sergeant E.J. Davidge, Prince of Wales’ Light Horse.
Corporal J. Dowson, Protectorate Regiment.
Trooper J.E. Drummond, Roberts’ Light Horse.
Trooper Charles O. Hilton, Border Mounted Rifles.
John Alex. Porterfield, Army Post Office Corps (680).
------------------------------------------------------
The Unveiling Programme also contains this:
The following Darlington “Veterans” have been invited to be present:
Quarter-Master Sergeant Wyld, 10th Regiment of Foot.
Colour-Sergeant J.D. Grubb, late Permanent Staff, 1st V.B. Durham Light Infantry.
Thomas Coates, 92nd Gordon Highlanders (marched with Earl Roberts to Kandahar)
Sergeant Rolston, 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade.
Corporal J. Guthrie, 3rd Buffs.
Sergeant Thompson, 64th Regiment of Foot
Sergeant Page, 19th Princess of Wales’ Own.
Sergeant J. Stocker, 20th Regiment of Foot.
Corporal G. Bragg, 10th Hussars.
Private M. Burnes, 7th Fusiliers.
Private H. Musgrave, 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade.
Private Lubey, 8th Hussars.
Private Walker.
Private R. Booth, 3rd Battalion, 60th Rifles.
W. Pearson, Royal Navy.
Private P. McCuan, 88th Connaught Rangers
Private T. McKenna, 33rd Duke of Wellington’s Own.
Names D40.56
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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