Memorial Details
Memorial
Cross 1914-18 1939-45 St. Mary's Churchyard
Reference
G44.02
Place
GAINFORD
Map ref
NZ 169166
Original Location
St. Mary’s Churchyard, The Green. Western side of path across the churchyard from the church.
Which war
a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45
b. 1939-45
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
a. Unveiled 19th March 1921 by Sir Arthur Pease. Dedicated by Rev. H.C. Watson, Vicar.
b. Erected 17th November 1953
b. Erected 17th November 1953
Memorial Description
Cross with wide tapering plinth incised with elaborate patterns. Height 10 feet. It sits within a very low octagonal wall. The dedication is carved to stand proud within a sunken panel on the front using sans serif capitals. The names are incised in a single column in another sunken panel below that, using sans serif capitals.
At its foot is a flat slab bearing the dedication and names for 1939-45, the officers in a single column at the top and the four privates in two columns underneath. Lettering is sans serif capitals.
At its foot is a flat slab bearing the dedication and names for 1939-45, the officers in a single column at the top and the four privates in two columns underneath. Lettering is sans serif capitals.
Materials used
Yorkshire Stone, from Bolton
Inscription
a. These men of / Gainford Parish / laid down their / lives in the Great War / 1914-1918
b. 1939-1945
b. 1939-1945
Names
Who commissioned
War Memorial Committee
Cost
£150
How money was raised
Public subscription
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
Designer - “A member of the War Memorial Committee”. Daughter of H.C. Watson, the incumbent, Carving done by Mr. Percival Charge of Messrs Charge Bros.
Notes
1. This was an example of design and sculpture having been completed before Diocesan approval had been sought.
It might be that Trinity College were responsible for the living, and their consent to the memorial is documented in the Faculty file, in the form of a letter from the Bursar of 23/04/1921
2. In 2015 the memorial was cleaned and the gravel renewed. The firm of Charge Brothers still operates in the village.
3. July 1st 2016 at 7.20 am a short moving service of remembrance was held to commemorate the centenary of the first day of the battle of the Somme.
It might be that Trinity College were responsible for the living, and their consent to the memorial is documented in the Faculty file, in the form of a letter from the Bursar of 23/04/1921
2. In 2015 the memorial was cleaned and the gravel renewed. The firm of Charge Brothers still operates in the village.
3. July 1st 2016 at 7.20 am a short moving service of remembrance was held to commemorate the centenary of the first day of the battle of the Somme.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: John & Mavis Dixon; Simon Raine
Darlington & Stockton Times 26/03/1921 reports unveiling.
Teesdale Mercury 10/01/1996 reports proposals to have the memorial repairs due to erosion.
Diocese of Durham Faculty 1007, issued 26/04/1921
Gainford and Langton Parish Magazine August 2016
Darlington & Stockton Times 26/03/1921 reports unveiling.
Teesdale Mercury 10/01/1996 reports proposals to have the memorial repairs due to erosion.
Diocese of Durham Faculty 1007, issued 26/04/1921
Gainford and Langton Parish Magazine August 2016
External web link
Links to Source Material :
Additional Research documents (click to download)
Research acknowledgements
John and Mavis Dixon; Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale; Dorothy Hall; Peter Ratcliffe
Research In Progress
David Pullan is researching the names on this memorial.
Contact: davidtpullan542@btinternet.com
The results of Gainford's fallen Tommies 2018 Project can be seen in the attached document
Cross 1914-18 1939-45 St. Mary's Churchyard (G44.02)
GAINFORD St. Mary’s Churchyard
Top panel
These men of
Gainford Parish
laid down their
lives in the Great War
1914-1918
---------------------------------
Centre panel
Royal Navy
Stoker G. Hobson
Army
2nd Lieut. G.E. Gent
Corp. T. Harrison
L-Corp. W.H. Bayles
Private F. Atkinson
“ C. Bonnier
“ T. Clarkson
“ J.W. Cowper
“ F.E. Harness
“ F. Herron
“ W. Humberstone
“ W.H. Legg
“ J.W. Marshall
“ H. Miller
“ E. Newton
“ J. Potter
“ G. Robinson
“ W.W. Scott
“ J. Smith
“ E. Snailham
“ F. Snowdon
“ R. Sutton
“ H.D. Tennick
“ J.F. Waller
“ W. Wright
---------------------------------
Lower panel
1939-1945
Major P.S. Buxton
Major C.C. O’Hagan M.C.
Pte. F. Dunn Pte. G. Shaw
Rfn. G.W. Raw Sgt. H. Storrow
NamesG44.02
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
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Copyright 2013, North East War Memorials Project. Registered Charity No. 1113088
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