Memorial Details
Memorial
Sailor Statue 1914-18 1939-45 Roadside
Reference
E3.01
Place
EARSDON
Map ref
NZ 323725
Original Location
Facing north, it sits on the side of the main road through the village beside the Red Lion Public House.
Which war
a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45
b. 1939-45
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
a. Unveiled December 21st 1924 by Lieut.Col. Sir Alexander Leith, Bart.; dedicated by the Vicar, Rev. Ed. Arkless.
Memorial Description
Statue of Royal Navy Marine with reversed rifle barrel resting on the left toe cap. Three stepped stone base surmounted by two deeper graduated blocks, on which rests a large granite block which bears the inscriptions. The base is 5 feet square, with one rail iron bar surround. The whole is surrounded by a low hawthorn hedge, open for one yard for entrance. It is inscribed on the north and east sides, on faces which have been sunken and dressed for the purpose. The names are listed in two columns, the lettering is elongated sans serif capitals.
Materials used
Stone and granite
Inscription
a. This monument is erected / to the glorious memory of / the men who gave their lives / in the Great War / 1914-1918
At the going down of the sun / and in the morning we will / remember them.
b. 1939-1945
At the going down of the sun / and in the morning we will / remember them.
b. 1939-1945
Names
Who commissioned
Earsdon War Memorial Fund Committee (Chairman Mr. T.B. Leonard; Secretary Mr. T. Bertram)
How money was raised
Public subscriptions, donations, a series of fund-raising dances, whist drives, etc.
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
Monument erected by Mr. Taylor of Earsdon. Sculptor was Mr. Stewart of Aberdeen.
Ownership and maintenance
The monument was officially handed over to the Earsdon Urban Council at the unveiling ceremony.
Notes
1. It was intended to place the memorial in front of the Post Office, but this land was no longer available through new road regulations.
2. It had been intended, according to the Morpeth Herald, to unveil the memorial on Armistice Day, 11th November 1924.
3. From the village, 101 people went to fight, of whom 24 died.
4. Earsdon was one of the first places to be occupied by the 4th Batt., N.F. They had been billetted in the White House, which had been the home of Col. Ritter, founder of the old Volunteers in 1850.
5. This memorial is unique in that it features a lone sailor. Usually a soldier is shown unless all three spheres of service are represented. The man who posed is said to have been pleased to receive 6d per sitting.
6. One Military Cross and three Military Medals had been won.
2. It had been intended, according to the Morpeth Herald, to unveil the memorial on Armistice Day, 11th November 1924.
3. From the village, 101 people went to fight, of whom 24 died.
4. Earsdon was one of the first places to be occupied by the 4th Batt., N.F. They had been billetted in the White House, which had been the home of Col. Ritter, founder of the old Volunteers in 1850.
5. This memorial is unique in that it features a lone sailor. Usually a soldier is shown unless all three spheres of service are represented. The man who posed is said to have been pleased to receive 6d per sitting.
6. One Military Cross and three Military Medals had been won.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: J. Brown; old postcard: Tony Harding; old photo: James Pasby
Shields Daily News passim reports fund raising efforts; 04/06/1924 reports on proposed site.
Morpeth Herald 20/07/1923 reports fund raising; 14/09/1923 reports fundraising; 26/12/1924 reports unveiling.
Illustrated Chronicle 22/12/1924 reports unveiling with photos.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 27/12/1924 reports unveiling.
Blyth News 12/9/1924 reports fund raising whist drive; 22/12/1924 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle and North Mail 16/07/1923 reports sale of work to raise funds; 10/09/1923 reports garden fete.
Tyne and Wear Specialist Conservation Team Annual Report 2005-6
The Glorious Dead. Figurative Sculpture of British First World War Memorials. Geoff Archer, Frontier Publishing; 2009. ISBN 978 1 872914 38 1
Source of quotation
“At the going down of the sun . . .” For the Fallen Lawrence Binyon.
Shields Daily News passim reports fund raising efforts; 04/06/1924 reports on proposed site.
Morpeth Herald 20/07/1923 reports fund raising; 14/09/1923 reports fundraising; 26/12/1924 reports unveiling.
Illustrated Chronicle 22/12/1924 reports unveiling with photos.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 27/12/1924 reports unveiling.
Blyth News 12/9/1924 reports fund raising whist drive; 22/12/1924 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle and North Mail 16/07/1923 reports sale of work to raise funds; 10/09/1923 reports garden fete.
Tyne and Wear Specialist Conservation Team Annual Report 2005-6
The Glorious Dead. Figurative Sculpture of British First World War Memorials. Geoff Archer, Frontier Publishing; 2009. ISBN 978 1 872914 38 1
Source of quotation
“At the going down of the sun . . .” For the Fallen Lawrence Binyon.
External web link
Links to Source Material :
Research acknowledgements
The late T.A. Allan, Seaton Delaval Local History Society; the late R.W. Gould; J. Brown; N. Tyneside Council; James Pasby; Tony Harding; Dorothy Hall
Research In Progress
Research on this memorial is being done by Colin Bray. Contact: colin380@sky.com
Sailor Statue 1914-18 1939-45 Roadside (E3.01)
EARSDON, Main Road
North side:
This monument is erected
to the glorious memory of
the men who gave their lives
in the Great War
1914-1918
Pte. W. Ashworth AB. G. Hewison
" C.F. Arkle Pte. C. Jacques
L.S. L. Beecham L/Cpl. J. Langford
Pte. T.S. Brunton Pte. M.W. Morris
“ H. Brown “ J. Nicholson
L/Cp. T. Bengall AB. F. Sidell
Sgn. J. Donnachie Pte. G.J. Stephens
Pte. J. Gay Cpl. E. Thompson
“ J. Hart Pte. J. Thompson
“ J. Hunter L/Cpl. J.E. Todhunter
Sergt. J.H. Hood Pte. M. Watson
Cpl. L.G. Davies “ J. Nicholson
"At the going down of the sun
and in the morning we will
remember them".
--------------------------------
East side:
1939-1945
Stkr. S.W. Borrows R.N.
2nd Engr. S. Bolton M.N.
2nd Off. J.L. Bray M.N.
2nd Off W.M. Bray M.N.
Capt. F. Carlin M.N.
A.B. C. Connor M.N.
LAC. D. Doughty R.A.F.
LAC. V. Davidson R.A.F.
Fl.Sgt. R. Davison R.A.F.
Fus. S.W.Dawson N.F.
A.B. B.W. Hammerton M.N.
Ch.Off. W. Hunter M.N.
A.B. R. Heseltine R.N.
Fus. R. Hogarth N.F.
Cpl. W.V. Hancock D.L.I.
Sto. J.A. Hall R.N.
Dvr. T. Jack R.A.
Gnr. W. Knox R.A.
Sgt.Maj. R. Minto R.A.C.
Lieut. E. Snaith R.N.V.R.
Pte. A. Whillis D.L.I.
Appr. J.W. Taylor M.N.
NamesE3.01
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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