Memorial Details
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Memorial
Picture 1914-18 St. Charles R.C.
Reference
G9.32
Place
GOSFORTH
Map ref
NZ 245682
Original Location
St. Charles' Roman Catholic Church. On east wall.
Present Location
It is high on the wall facing the tabernacle in the North transept.
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Unveiled 6th May 1923 by Col. E.P.A. Riddell, C.M.G., D.S.O., Commanding Northumbrian Infantry Brigade. Dedicated by Rev. F. Reilly, Rector of St. Charles.
Memorial Description
Picture, 12 feet 7 inches high x 8 feet 6 inches wide. Reproduction by British artist, Evans, of Raphael's "Madonna di San Sisto" showing Madonna and child with Saint Sixtus and St. Barbara, painted for the Benedictines of Piacenza.
“The Madonna is seen standing on a mass of clouds with the infant Child in her arms and looking out of the picture with an expression of celestial repose. A glory, composed of innumerable heads of cherubim, surround her on every side. St.Sixtus, in a white tunic and gold coloured pallium turned back with purple, kneels in supplication on the left and appears to be pointing to his flock which is invisible to us; and opposite, on the other side of the Madonna, kneels St. Barbara, her hands crossed on her breast, looking down with eyes full of love at the people below. We also see two angels leaning on a balustrade."
Underneath is a plaque on which the names are listed in six columns.
“The Madonna is seen standing on a mass of clouds with the infant Child in her arms and looking out of the picture with an expression of celestial repose. A glory, composed of innumerable heads of cherubim, surround her on every side. St.Sixtus, in a white tunic and gold coloured pallium turned back with purple, kneels in supplication on the left and appears to be pointing to his flock which is invisible to us; and opposite, on the other side of the Madonna, kneels St. Barbara, her hands crossed on her breast, looking down with eyes full of love at the people below. We also see two angels leaning on a balustrade."
Underneath is a plaque on which the names are listed in six columns.
Inscription
For your charity pray for the souls of / (names) / who gave their lives in the Great War (1914-1918). May their souls, and the souls of / all their fallen comrades, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
"Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friend".
"Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friend".
Names
How money was raised
Donated by Mr. Felix Lavery, who had wished it to be anonymous.
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
Reproduction by Evans.
Notes
1. The church hall was requisitioned for use by the military during the Great War.
2. A collection taken at the dedication service was given to St. Vincent’s Orphanage, Elswick, and the Nazareth Home, Sandyford Park, for the benefit of the orphans of the fallen soldiers.
3. Books containing records of the Northumberland Fusiliers, “The Story of the Tyneside Scottish” and “The History of the Tyneside Irish” were deposited with the picture.
4. In May 1919, two stained glass windows were placed in the church, illustrating “The Marriage feast at Cana”; “Christ Blessing the Children”; “The Agony in the Garden” and “Christ Meeting His Afflicted Mother”. These were inserted as a “thanksgiving offering”, but it is not clear whether this was in thanksgiving for the end of the war or some other event. Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 24/05/1919.
5. This painting was presented by Mr Felix Lavery as a War Memorial on the 25th February 1923.
2. A collection taken at the dedication service was given to St. Vincent’s Orphanage, Elswick, and the Nazareth Home, Sandyford Park, for the benefit of the orphans of the fallen soldiers.
3. Books containing records of the Northumberland Fusiliers, “The Story of the Tyneside Scottish” and “The History of the Tyneside Irish” were deposited with the picture.
4. In May 1919, two stained glass windows were placed in the church, illustrating “The Marriage feast at Cana”; “Christ Blessing the Children”; “The Agony in the Garden” and “Christ Meeting His Afflicted Mother”. These were inserted as a “thanksgiving offering”, but it is not clear whether this was in thanksgiving for the end of the war or some other event. Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 24/05/1919.
5. This painting was presented by Mr Felix Lavery as a War Memorial on the 25th February 1923.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photo: Tony Harding
Morpeth Herald 04/05/1923 reports proposed unveiling with description of the picture; 11/05/1923 reports unveiling.
Alnwick & County Gazette 12/05/1923 reports unveiling.
Illustrated Chronicle 03/05/1923 reports unveiling with photo of picture.
Northern Echo 02/05/1923 reports proposed unveiling;
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 05/05/1923 reports proposed unveiling; 12/05/1923 reports unveiling.
South Shields Gazette 03/05/1923 reports proposed unveiling
A Parish in its Time: A History of St.Charles Parish, Gosforth 1896-1996 Frank McCombie and Michael Cullen; 1996; ISBN 0 9530567 0 8
Sources of quotations
“May their souls . . .rest in peace” Mass for the Dead;
“Greater love than this no man has . . .” St.John 15 v 13
Morpeth Herald 04/05/1923 reports proposed unveiling with description of the picture; 11/05/1923 reports unveiling.
Alnwick & County Gazette 12/05/1923 reports unveiling.
Illustrated Chronicle 03/05/1923 reports unveiling with photo of picture.
Northern Echo 02/05/1923 reports proposed unveiling;
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 05/05/1923 reports proposed unveiling; 12/05/1923 reports unveiling.
South Shields Gazette 03/05/1923 reports proposed unveiling
A Parish in its Time: A History of St.Charles Parish, Gosforth 1896-1996 Frank McCombie and Michael Cullen; 1996; ISBN 0 9530567 0 8
Sources of quotations
“May their souls . . .rest in peace” Mass for the Dead;
“Greater love than this no man has . . .” St.John 15 v 13
Links to Source Material :
Research acknowledgements
J. Brown; the late Robin Gard; Frank McCombie; Tony Harding; Dorothy Hall; James Pasby; Michael Mulhern
Research In Progress
If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk
Picture 1914-18 St. Charles R.C. (G9.32)
GOSFORTH, St. Charles' Roman Catholic Church.
Centre top :
Pray for the souls of
----------------------------------------------------------
Left hand columns :
Burdess, Rev., M.F., C.F. Curran, Francis Fleck, George Edward
Beaton, John Daggett, Cedric Hunton, Capt. Goodman, John
Bowman, Frederick, Darby, William Edward Herron, Albert
Braithwaite, Richard Dodds, Thomas Gladstone Herron, Austin
Buckley, Cornelius Dodds, Joseph Inganni, Louis
Cairns, William Early, James Johnson, Arthur
----------------------------------------------------------
Right hand columns :
Lovell, Denis Murphy, Albert Waters, John
Marshall, Herbert Anthony Murphy, Francis Waters, Terence
Marshall, Charles Murray, Robert Watson, William
McAndrew, James O'Malley, John Watson, John
McAvoy, Joseph Renwick, Joseph Watson Donnison, Thomas
Mirley, Thomas Thompson, James Patrick Donnison, William
----------------------------------------------------------
Centre bottom :
Who gave their lives in the Great War (1914-1918) may their souls and the souls of
all their fallen comrades, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
"Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friend"
NamesG9.32
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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