Memorial Details
Memorial
Calvary 1914-18 St. Godric R.C. Churchyard
Reference
D47.042
Place
DURHAM
Map ref
NZ 270426
Original Location
Our Lady of Mercy and St. Godric’s Roman Catholic Church, Copper Chare. In the churchyard.
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Unveiled 13th May 1923 by Lt. Col. J.R. Ritson, dedicated by Rev. Canon Thornton.
Memorial Description
Calvary, total height 14 feet with gabled top, on a base with five faces at the front and a flat face at the rear. The whole stands on top of four square steps. The dedication is carried on the front face of the pentagonal base.
On the pedestal is a half relief carving of a soldier with arms reversed on one side and a sailor with arms reversed on the other. The names are in a single column on the two outer panels.
On the rear is a St.Cuthbert Cross. Lettering is incised using sans serif capitals.
On the pedestal is a half relief carving of a soldier with arms reversed on one side and a sailor with arms reversed on the other. The names are in a single column on the two outer panels.
On the rear is a St.Cuthbert Cross. Lettering is incised using sans serif capitals.
Materials used
Portland stone
Inscription
This / monument was / erected by the / members of / St. Godric's parish / to the / memory of those / brave men from / this parish / who laid down / their lives in / defence of their / country in the / Great War / 1914-1918. / R.I.P.
Names
Who commissioned
War Memorial Committee
How money was raised
Public subscription
Present condition
The lettering, which was badly weathering, was re-carved (?2002)
Notes
1. The site is a fine vantage point over the city but very steep and narrow. The crowd compressed into it at the unveiling must have been very uncomfortable in a “drenching downpour”.
2. Rev. Canon Thornton made the first suggestion for a memorial in November 1915, and called a parish meeting in November 1917 which asked each family in the parish to give £1 over the next year.
3. The surname of Private John Melia should be Malia. His family wish to make this correction.
4. In June 2013 this church Our Lady of Mercy and St. Godric's joined with St. Joseph's Gilesgate, St. Bede's Newton Hall and was incorporated into The Parish of the Durham Martyrs.
2. Rev. Canon Thornton made the first suggestion for a memorial in November 1915, and called a parish meeting in November 1917 which asked each family in the parish to give £1 over the next year.
3. The surname of Private John Melia should be Malia. His family wish to make this correction.
4. In June 2013 this church Our Lady of Mercy and St. Godric's joined with St. Joseph's Gilesgate, St. Bede's Newton Hall and was incorporated into The Parish of the Durham Martyrs.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: C. Sanders; Simon Raine; James Pasby
Durham County Advertiser 18/5/1923 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 19/5/1923 briefly reports unveiling.
Durham Chronicle 18/5/1923 reports unveiling.
Northern Echo 14/5/1923 gives brief report of unveiling.
Durham County Advertiser 18/5/1923 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 19/5/1923 briefly reports unveiling.
Durham Chronicle 18/5/1923 reports unveiling.
Northern Echo 14/5/1923 gives brief report of unveiling.
External web link
Links to Source Material :
Research acknowledgements
Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale; C. Sanders; Durham County Council
Research In Progress
If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk
Calvary 1914-18 St. Godric R.C. Churchyard (D47.042)
DURHAM St. Godric’s Roman Catholic Churchyard
This
monument was
erected by the
members of
St. Godric’s parish
to the
memory of those
brave men from
this parish
who laid down
their lives in
defence of their
country in the
Great War
1914-1918.
R.I.P.
----------------------------------------
Left side
Pte. G. Ainsley R.A.S.C.
Pte. J. Barratt D.L.I .
Pte. A.G. Clement R. Fus.
Stoker J. Conlon R.N.
C.Q.M.S. S. Cunningham D.L.I.
Pte. J.J. Curry N. Fus.
Pte. P. Dowd Yorks. Regt.
L/Cpl. P. Fairley D.L.I.
Sgt. M. Finan N. Fus.
Pte. E. Foley “ “
Pte. P. Gaffney “ “
Pte. H. Gilroy “ “
Pte. Matt. Hanley Y - L.
Pte. M. Hanley N. Fus.
Pte. J. Hockney Man. Regt.
Pte. W. Hockney K.O.R.L. Regt.
Trooper J. Kelly D. GDS.
Pte. A. Kerwin Yorks-Lan
Trooper J.F. Kinsley R.I. Lan.
Pte. H. Kirk D.L.I.
Right side
Pte. T. Loftus D.L.I.
Cpl. J.R. Madden R.F.A.
Pte. T. McCann D.L.I.
Pte. E. McDermott “ “
Sgt. A. McNamara Y - R
Pte. J. Melia D.L.I.
Sgt. Jos. Melia “ “
Pte. J.E. Moran N. Fus.
Pte. J. Morgan D.L.I.
L/Cpl. M. Norwood N. Fus.
Sgt. T. Robey N. Fus.
Sgt. J.J. Rowan N. Fus.
Lt. W. Ruxton R.F.A.
Pte. W. Sheffield R.A.S.A
Gnr. T. Smith R.F.A
2/Lt. A. Tumulty R.D. Fus.
Abl. E. Warrant R.N.
Pte. J. Welsh Yorks. Regt.
Pte. A. Wilson D.L.I
Pte. R. Wilson D.L.I
NamesD47.42
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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