Memorial Details
Memorial
Fountain 1914-18 1939-45 Roadside
Reference
F42.01
Place
FIR TREE
Map ref
NZ 263442
Original Location
On the green
Present Location
See Note 1 below.
Which war
a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45
b. 1939-45
Memorial Description
Drinking fountain 7 feet high x 2 feet square, on a base 10 feet square, with two steps, both 6 inches high, the top one 4 feet square, the lower one 6 feet square. The monument is surmounted by an urn with pinnacle on top. On the sides of the pedestal are sinks for the drinking fountain, of which the fittings are missing. The dedication is incised on the front of the pedestal using elaborate capitals. The names are incised on the sides of the pedestal using sans serif capitals.
Materials used
Sandstone? Granite?
Inscription
a. Erected to / the memory / of the men of / the village / of Fir Tree / who made / the supreme / sacrifice in / war /
“They live”.
b. Their name liveth for evermore.
“They live”.
b. Their name liveth for evermore.
Names
How money was raised
Land given by Mr. T. Hird.
Notes
1. “The old photo of the ten 'Cloth Capped' Gentlemen around the Fountain has created some debate over the weekend as it is definitely not taken 'on the green'. This means the memorial has been relocated after c1930 being reduced from four steps to two. The possible previous location is 'on the bend' of the A68 adjacent to what is now a disused building, is attached” (David Charlesworth).
Confirmation of this site has now been confirmed by a further old photo. The building beside which it was originally located was demolished in 2010.
2. A holograph list in the hands of John Alderson, local historian, shows that:
a. the name “Trathan” should be “Strathan”. There is no CWGC entry for Trathan, and only one for a Thomas Strathan, which does not show his home address. On the memorial the Initial “T” of Trathan has been recut.
b. the name of John Mosy is not on the memorial. There is a Johnathon Mosey on the CWGC record, whose parents came from South Moor, Stanley.
Confirmation of this site has now been confirmed by a further old photo. The building beside which it was originally located was demolished in 2010.
2. A holograph list in the hands of John Alderson, local historian, shows that:
a. the name “Trathan” should be “Strathan”. There is no CWGC entry for Trathan, and only one for a Thomas Strathan, which does not show his home address. On the memorial the Initial “T” of Trathan has been recut.
b. the name of John Mosy is not on the memorial. There is a Johnathon Mosey on the CWGC record, whose parents came from South Moor, Stanley.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: C. Sanders; Simon Raine; David Charlesworth; Old postcard: David Charlesworth: John Grainger; Photo of holograph page: John Alderson
Darlington and Stockton Times 28/02/1920 reports proposals for memorial.
Bishop Auckland Town Hall black and white photo taken 1930 by unknown person.
Durham Record Office No. DR 04380 Flashback No.12
Source of quotation:
“They live”. probably ad hoc
“Their name liveth for evermore: Apocrypha, Ecclesiasticus 44 1-15
Darlington and Stockton Times 28/02/1920 reports proposals for memorial.
Bishop Auckland Town Hall black and white photo taken 1930 by unknown person.
Durham Record Office No. DR 04380 Flashback No.12
Source of quotation:
“They live”. probably ad hoc
“Their name liveth for evermore: Apocrypha, Ecclesiasticus 44 1-15
External web link
Links to Source Material :
Research acknowledgements
C. Sanders; John and Mavis Dixon; Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale; David Charlesworth; John Alderson; Dorothy Hall; John Grainger
Research In Progress
If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk
Fountain 1914-18 1939-45 Roadside (F42.01)
FIR TREE On the green
Erected to
the memory
of the men of
the village
of Fir Tree
who made
the supreme
sacrifice in
war
“They live”
----------------------------------
First side Second side
1914-1918 1914-1918
Lt. J.G. Stobart Pte. G. Fawcett
Pte. J. Ramshaw ” E. Hogarth
” T. Trathan ” J. Kearton
” F. Vitty ” L. Norman
” J. Wray ” A. Patton
” J.C. Walkington ” A. McLeod
----------------------------------
Rear
1939-1945
R.A.F
Sgt. S.T. Kerr
Sgt. T.H. Todd
R.N.
AB F. Hodgson
Their name liveth for
evermore
-----------------------------------------------------
A contemporary holograph page gives the names from 1914-18 as follows:
John Geoffrey Stobart R.I.P.
John Wray R.I.P.
Thomas Strathan R.I.P.
Arthur Patton R.I.P.
Frederick Vitty R.I.P.
John Mosy R.I.P.
John Kearton R.I.P.
Edward Hoggarth R.I.P.
Joseph Ramshaw R.I.P.
John Cooper Walkington R.I.P.
Archibald McLeod R.I.P.
Of Firtree, who fell in the Great War
1914-18
We will remember them.
NamesF42.01
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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