Memorial Details
Memorial
Plaque 1914-18 Royal Insurance Co.
Reference
NUT004
Place
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Map ref
NZ 249641
Original Location
Royal Insurance Co., 41 Grey Street (Closed)
Present Location
The Royal National Arboretum, Alrewas.
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Unveiled Friday 9th November 1923 at 4 p.m. by the Right Rev. The Lord Bishop of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Memorial Description
Plaque of solid brass, very ornate domed top with pinnacle at the two top corners, with laurel sprays beneath. There is a raised inner border of twisted rope design. On the centre panel, at the top is a shield bearing the initials "R.I.C.", raised in half relief, with the dates "1914" and "1919" on either side. The dedication is below this, followed by the names listed in a single column. The quotation is at the bottom. All lettering is in raised Roman capitals.
Materials used
Brass
Inscription
To the honoured memory / of the men of this office / who made the supreme / sacrifice in the Great War / (Names) / They gave their lives / that we might live.
Names
Notes
1. When the office in Newcastle closed, the plaque went to an office in the Midlands. It is now in the National Arboretum store at Alrewas, Staffordshire.
2. The Bishop dedicated the memorial “To the Glory of God, and in unfading memory of the men of the Newcastle upon Tyne office and its sub-branches who gave their lives in the Great War”.
3. A report states that Sir Francis Blake, Bart., presided in the absence through illness of Mr. Clarence D. Smith, chairman of the local board of directors.
4. “From all branches of this great company . . . .1,887 men joined the Colours, and 229 had made the supreme sacrifice. A general memorial had been unveiled at Head Office."
2. The Bishop dedicated the memorial “To the Glory of God, and in unfading memory of the men of the Newcastle upon Tyne office and its sub-branches who gave their lives in the Great War”.
3. A report states that Sir Francis Blake, Bart., presided in the absence through illness of Mr. Clarence D. Smith, chairman of the local board of directors.
4. “From all branches of this great company . . . .1,887 men joined the Colours, and 229 had made the supreme sacrifice. A general memorial had been unveiled at Head Office."
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photo: Royal National Arboretum
Illustrated Chronicle 02/11/1923 reports proposed unveiling; 10/11/1923 reports unveiling.
Tyne & Wear Archives Ref.DX 1047/13 Order of Proceedings programme.
Pensioners’ Pages Autumn 2004 and Winter 2005 issues carry articles by Harry Sell regarding his memories of those named on both war memorials.
Illustrated Chronicle 02/11/1923 reports proposed unveiling; 10/11/1923 reports unveiling.
Tyne & Wear Archives Ref.DX 1047/13 Order of Proceedings programme.
Pensioners’ Pages Autumn 2004 and Winter 2005 issues carry articles by Harry Sell regarding his memories of those named on both war memorials.
Additional Research documents (click to download)
Research acknowledgements
F.R. Jeavons; Royal National Arboretum; Tony Harding; Dorothy Hall
Research In Progress
If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk
Plaque 1914-18 Royal Insurance Co. (NUT004)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Royal Insurance Co.
1914 1919
To the honoured memory
of the men of this office
who made the supreme
sacrifice in the Great War.
-------------------
Joseph Avery
William J. Hopper
Thomas Jobson
George Pringle
J.A.W. Rickaby
Robert W. Sephton
Robert A. Young.
-------------------
They gave their lives
that we might live.
NamesNUT004
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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