Memorial Details
Memorial
Triptych 1914-18 St. Alban
Reference
E3.03
Place
EARSDON
Map ref
NZ 321726
Original Location
St. Alban's Church
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Unveiled 6th November 1921 by Dr. Taylor Dixon, in the absence of Mr. J.R. Hall, late Hon.Secretary to the Tyneside Scottish Brigade Committees, and dedicated by the Lord Bishop of Newcastle, Dr. Wild.
Memorial Description
"War shrine of octagonal form standing 10 feet high". An old photograph shows not a shrine but a group of three panels set against the corner, almost looking like a pulpit. The top is traceried with the middle section rising higher and supporting a crucifix. The three panels bear the dedication on the centre one and the names in a single column on each of the two outer.
Materials used
Oak
Names
How money was raised
Public subscription
Present condition
Dismantled and re-erected as E3.02
Notes
1. The reason for its dismantling is stated in the Faculty which reads: Letter from Vicar accompanying the petition gives reasons for removal.
‘The reasons for the suggested removal of the existing War Memorial in the Earsdon Church:
a. The Memorial is of wood and bad dry rot has set in at the base. There is a grave danger of the dry rot spreading, and for the safety of the building, it is therefore necessary that the Memorial be removed as soon as possible.
b. The particularly ugly proportions of the Memorial. The top part is much too heavy for the base, and the weight of the top is increased by an assorted conglomeration of non-descript gaudy ornament. The figure of our Lord is entirely out of proportion, and is very badly carved.
c. Although there are two spare panels, on either side, which could be used for the names of the Second War dead, they are placed at angles which would make the names difficult to see.
d. The erection of the panels on the West wall of the Church will be far more dignified and impressive.
2. At the unveiling, a lighting installation was dedicated to the memory of Mrs. John Ochiltree, a former benefactress of the church.
‘The reasons for the suggested removal of the existing War Memorial in the Earsdon Church:
a. The Memorial is of wood and bad dry rot has set in at the base. There is a grave danger of the dry rot spreading, and for the safety of the building, it is therefore necessary that the Memorial be removed as soon as possible.
b. The particularly ugly proportions of the Memorial. The top part is much too heavy for the base, and the weight of the top is increased by an assorted conglomeration of non-descript gaudy ornament. The figure of our Lord is entirely out of proportion, and is very badly carved.
c. Although there are two spare panels, on either side, which could be used for the names of the Second War dead, they are placed at angles which would make the names difficult to see.
d. The erection of the panels on the West wall of the Church will be far more dignified and impressive.
2. At the unveiling, a lighting installation was dedicated to the memory of Mrs. John Ochiltree, a former benefactress of the church.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Old postcard: Tony Harding
Shields Daily News 05/09/1921 reports the proposed war shrine dedicated to 55 men; 07/11/1921 reports unveiling ceremony of a memorial to 58 men.
Alnwick & County Gazette 12/11/1921 reports unveiling.
Illustrated Chronicle 07/11/1921 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 12/11/1921 reports unveiling.
Morpeth Herald 09/09/1921 reports proposals
Blyth News 08/09/1921 reports proposals; 07/11/1921 reports unveiling.
Whitley Bay Observer 11/11/1921 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle 05/09/1921 reports construction in process; 07/10/1921 reports proposed unveiling; 07/11/1921 reports unveiling.
Diocese of Newcastle Faculty No. 1750, 23/11/1950
Shields Daily News 05/09/1921 reports the proposed war shrine dedicated to 55 men; 07/11/1921 reports unveiling ceremony of a memorial to 58 men.
Alnwick & County Gazette 12/11/1921 reports unveiling.
Illustrated Chronicle 07/11/1921 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 12/11/1921 reports unveiling.
Morpeth Herald 09/09/1921 reports proposals
Blyth News 08/09/1921 reports proposals; 07/11/1921 reports unveiling.
Whitley Bay Observer 11/11/1921 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle 05/09/1921 reports construction in process; 07/10/1921 reports proposed unveiling; 07/11/1921 reports unveiling.
Diocese of Newcastle Faculty No. 1750, 23/11/1950
Links to Source Material :
Research acknowledgements
The late R.W. Gould; Tony Harding; Patrick Easen; Dorothy Hall
Research In Progress
Research on this memorial is being done by Colin Bray. Contact: colin380@sky.com
Triptych 1914-18 St. Alban (E3.03)
EARSDON St. Alban's Church
The layout of this memorial is not known.
The following has been extracted from a newspaper
report and has not been compared with the original
nor with a good photograph.
-----------------------------------------------------
These could be the very ones which were re-erected as E3.02
in which case the layout would be the same.
-----------------------------------------------------
Pte. P.E. Anderson N.F. A.B. J.H. Lister, R.N.D.
Pte. C.F. Arkle, N.F. O.S. W. Lister, R.N.D.
Pte. W. Ashworth, N.F. A.B. T.S. Luther, R.N.D.
Pte. W. Atwell, N.F. Sgt. M.T. Macmillan, R.E.
Pte. R. Barnfather, N.F. Pte. J.R. Macmillan, R.S.
L-S L. Beecham, R.N.D. Pte. W. McClay, N.F.
L.Cpl. T. Bengall, N.F. A.B. M. Mather, R.N.D.
Pte. W.J. Boyle, R.A.M.C. Sgt. G.W.J.Moon, N.F.
Pte. H. Brown, L.C. A.B. J.R. Mordue, R.N.D.
Pte. T.S. Brunton, Gren.Gds Pte. M.W. Morris, N.F.
A.B. J. Cartwright R.N.D. Pte. J. Nicholson, N.F.
Pte. O. Davidson, N.F. A.B. J. Nicholson, R.N.D.
Cpl. L.J. Davies, N.F. Pte. J. Richardson, N.F.
Sgt. J. Dobson, E.Y. Pte. O.W. Nicholson, N.F.
Pte. W. Dowdall, N.F. L.Cpl. P. Robinson, N.F.
Pte. J. Clay, Y & L. Pte. R. Robinson, N.F.
Cpl. T.W. Gray, N.F. A.B. Sidell, R.N.D.
Pte. F. Hall, N.F. Pte. G.J. Stephens, M.T.
Cpl. R. Harrison, N.F. Capt. T.A. Thirlwell, R.E.
Sap. R.C. Harrison, R.E. Cpl. F. Thompson, N.F.
Pte. J. Hart, N.F. L.Cpl.J.E. Todhunter, Y & L.
A.B. G. Hewison R.N.D. Pte. G.B. Towart, S.R.
Pte. F. Hindmarsh E.Y. Pte. M. Towart, N.F.
Sgt. J.H. Hood, N.F. Cpl. I. Wanless, N.F.
Pte. J. Hunter, N.F. Pte. M. Watson, N.F.
Pte. C. Jacques, N.F. Cpl. A. Wells, R.E.
L.Cpl. J. Langford, N.F. Pte. T.W. Wintle, N.F.
NamesE3.03
You are looking at all the information and the best images we have so far on this memorial. If you can supply more information or better images please get in touch by sending an email to enquiries@newmp.org.uk.
Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
The British Library is preserving this site for the future in the UK Web Archive at www.webarchive.org.uk
Copyright 2013, North East War Memorials Project. Registered Charity No. 1113088
Another Effective Group Website