Memorial Details
Memorial
Flagpole Thanks for safe return 1914-18
Reference
M3.01
Place
MELDON
Map ref
NZ 118840
Original Location
In front garden of former School House.
Which war
1914-18
Memorial Description
Flag pole.
The base is a stone block 4 feet high x 3 feet wide by 2 feet deep, the front of which has been carved into the shape of a shield in relief. It rests on a circular stone base of 5 feet diameter, which in turn is on top of another base 8 feet in diameter. On top are four iron bolts which once supported the flagpole. The lettering is incised into the shield in Roman capitals, and may once have been painted black. The dates 1914-1918 are carved into the main block on either side of the bottom of the shield.
The base is a stone block 4 feet high x 3 feet wide by 2 feet deep, the front of which has been carved into the shape of a shield in relief. It rests on a circular stone base of 5 feet diameter, which in turn is on top of another base 8 feet in diameter. On top are four iron bolts which once supported the flagpole. The lettering is incised into the shield in Roman capitals, and may once have been painted black. The dates 1914-1918 are carved into the main block on either side of the bottom of the shield.
Materials used
Stone
Inscription
to
commemorate the victory
and
in grateful thanks
for the safe return
of all those men
who left the parish
to serve in
the Great War.
1914 1919
Names
None
How money was raised
Col. Cookson, Meldon Park. Public subscription.
Present condition
Good, though beginning to be covered with lichen. The flagpole has gone.
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
Robinson, The Clear House, Meldon.
Notes
1. This village, whose men all came back, is one of 51 villages in England called “Thankful Villages” by Arthur Mee. The men who served all returned.
2. There is a story that there was a lion on the base which was broken off by a little girl who has never been named.
3. On August 3rd 2013, a visit was made by about 40 motor bikes of the “Thanksgiving Villages Group”, touring all 51 of the Thankful Villages in England to raise funds for the Royal British Legion.
They had a brief service by the flagpole, and presented the village with a plaque and a certificate. It was hoped that the plaque would be dedicated on 3rd August 2014 at the same time as the other 50.
They then went on to visit Hunstanworth.
4. There are no thankful villages in Scotland. Meldon is the most northerly in mainland Britain.
2. There is a story that there was a lion on the base which was broken off by a little girl who has never been named.
3. On August 3rd 2013, a visit was made by about 40 motor bikes of the “Thanksgiving Villages Group”, touring all 51 of the Thankful Villages in England to raise funds for the Royal British Legion.
They had a brief service by the flagpole, and presented the village with a plaque and a certificate. It was hoped that the plaque would be dedicated on 3rd August 2014 at the same time as the other 50.
They then went on to visit Hunstanworth.
4. There are no thankful villages in Scotland. Meldon is the most northerly in mainland Britain.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: J. Brown, P. Thirkell
Morpeth Herald 10/11/1922 reports fund-raising; 16/08/2013 carries an article which seeks information about the lion story
Illustrated Chronicle 13/11/1922 has photo with flag flying.
Old Bike Mart May 2013 reports proposed motor cycle visit in August.
Morpeth Herald 10/11/1922 reports fund-raising; 16/08/2013 carries an article which seeks information about the lion story
Illustrated Chronicle 13/11/1922 has photo with flag flying.
Old Bike Mart May 2013 reports proposed motor cycle visit in August.
External web link
Links to Source Material :
Additional Research documents (click to download)
Research acknowledgements
Mrs. Potts, Meldon; Janet Brown; P. Thirkell; Dorothy Hall
Research In Progress
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Flagpole Thanks for safe return 1914-18 (M3.01)
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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