Memorial Details
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Memorial
Arch 1914-18 4th N.F. Beaumont Street
Reference
H51.02
Place
HEXHAM
Map ref
NY 935640
Original Location
Beaumont Street, entrance to the Abbey grounds.
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Unveiled 25th October 1919 by Major General Sir Percy Wilkinson, Col. N.F. Dedicated by Rev. J.E. McVitie (also spelt McVittee and McVittie).
Memorial Description
Gateway arch on which a plaque is mounted on each upright, facing the road. The archway is approx. 6m high x 3.5m wide and approx.. It is a late 17th or early 18th Century stone gateway; rusticated, moulded impost and archi-vault, entablature and segmented pediment over. The gates are each 207cm high x 82cm wide. Plaques are each 81cm high x 50cm wide. On the plaques are inscriptions above which are the badge of the Fusiliers. The lettering is in raised Roman capitals, with the months and the place names in brackets all in italics. Both plaques are painted black.
Materials used
Stone arch and bronze plaques.
Inscription
Left hand pillar:
This arch was presented to the
Town to commemorate the services
of the 4th Northumberland Fusil-
iers (TF) in France and Belgium
during the war 1915-1918
Right hand pillar:
The Battalion mobilised at Hexham
on August 4th 1914.
Town to commemorate the services
of the 4th Northumberland Fusil-
iers (TF) in France and Belgium
during the war 1915-1918
Right hand pillar:
on August 4th 1914.
Names
None
Who commissioned
James T. Robb, J.P.
Present condition
Restored 1998 in time for 80th anniversary of Armistice Day.
Ownership and maintenance
Hexham Urban Council accepted the memorial at the unveiling ceremony.
Notes
1. The arch was originally the entrance to the White Hart Inn at the south end of Fore Street (east side). The Inn was demolished and a shoe shop and Robb's Department Store now occupy the site.
2. In a letter to Hexham Courant, Mr. Robb wrote to announce his presentation of the gateway ". . . In order to commemorate the splendid services of the 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (TF) throughout the war, and as a personal thank offering for the return of my three sons".
3. In 1998 the two commemorative plaques were restored and regilded. The restoration was paid for by the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, and the work carried out by Corbridge-based signwriters, Northumbria Sign and Design, aided by local computer company Fellcroft.
4. Of the 30 officers who formed part of the original battalion, 8 were killed and 14 were wounded.
5. The arch was also erected as a personal thankoffering for the safe return of Mr. Robb’s three sons, who had the “unique distinction of holding captaincies together in the battalion”.
2. In a letter to Hexham Courant, Mr. Robb wrote to announce his presentation of the gateway ". . . In order to commemorate the splendid services of the 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (TF) throughout the war, and as a personal thank offering for the return of my three sons".
3. In 1998 the two commemorative plaques were restored and regilded. The restoration was paid for by the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, and the work carried out by Corbridge-based signwriters, Northumbria Sign and Design, aided by local computer company Fellcroft.
4. Of the 30 officers who formed part of the original battalion, 8 were killed and 14 were wounded.
5. The arch was also erected as a personal thankoffering for the safe return of Mr. Robb’s three sons, who had the “unique distinction of holding captaincies together in the battalion”.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: C.N. Dallison; Tony Harding
Hexham Courant 08/03/1919 contains letter from Mr. Robb regarding his intention to give the gateway; 01/11/1919 reports unveiling, with picture; 13/11/1998 reports restoration.
Illustrated Chronicle 27/10/1919 reports unveiling with photos.
Northern Echo 27/10/1919 reports unveiling.
North Mail 27/10/1919 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 05/03/1919 reports acceptance of arch; 01/11/1919 reports unveiling.
Haltwhistle Echo 31/10/1919 reports at length on the unveiling.
Hexham Weekly News 07/03/1919 reports Mr. Robb’s proposals
Newcastle Daily Chronicle 27/10/1919 reports unveiling.
Hexham Historian No. 17 carries an article entitled “Sports, War and Business” which tells the story of three sons of James T. Robb. Published by Hexham Local History Society. ISSN 1323-0563. www.hexhamhistorian.org.
The Journal 06/11/1998 and 07/11/1998 reports repairs in time for 80th Armistice Day anniversary.
Hexham Courant 08/03/1919 contains letter from Mr. Robb regarding his intention to give the gateway; 01/11/1919 reports unveiling, with picture; 13/11/1998 reports restoration.
Illustrated Chronicle 27/10/1919 reports unveiling with photos.
Northern Echo 27/10/1919 reports unveiling.
North Mail 27/10/1919 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 05/03/1919 reports acceptance of arch; 01/11/1919 reports unveiling.
Haltwhistle Echo 31/10/1919 reports at length on the unveiling.
Hexham Weekly News 07/03/1919 reports Mr. Robb’s proposals
Newcastle Daily Chronicle 27/10/1919 reports unveiling.
Hexham Historian No. 17 carries an article entitled “Sports, War and Business” which tells the story of three sons of James T. Robb. Published by Hexham Local History Society. ISSN 1323-0563. www.hexhamhistorian.org.
The Journal 06/11/1998 and 07/11/1998 reports repairs in time for 80th Armistice Day anniversary.
External web link
Links to Source Material :
Research acknowledgements
The late Ken and Dorothy Southern; J. Brown; Colin Dallison; P. Thirkell; Tony Harding; Dorothy Hall
Research In Progress
Alan Grint has researched the names on the Hexham memorials in his book The Faith and Fire Within, 2006, Ergo Press ISBN 0955275814
Contact:-Cogito books 01434 602555
Arch 1914-18 4th N.F. Beaumont Street (H51.02)
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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