Memorial Details
Memorial
Cross 1914-18 1939-45 Korea 1952 Green
Reference
R24.01
Place
ROTHBURY
Map ref
NU 057017
Original Location
High Street, on green at division of feeder road and main road in the town centre.
Which war
a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45
c. Korea, 1952
b. 1939-45
c. Korea, 1952
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
a. Drinking fountain unveiled Sunday, 23rd January 1921 by Lord Armstrong.
Memorial Description
Cross and fountain. Column 2m square surmounted by a stumpy cross, total height approx. 7m, standing in a small enclosure with white painted iron fence and grass. The cross has a bronze sword affixed to the front.
The names for 1914-18 are listed in two columns on the front, those for 1939-45 in two columns on the back with the name from the Korean war at the bottom of this list.
Binyon's verse is on the third side. The fourth side is blank. In each case the lettering is incised and painted black, using sans serif capitals throughout. The dates themselves are on the lower faces.
At the base of the front and back are drinking troughs, now filled with flowers.
The names for 1914-18 are listed in two columns on the front, those for 1939-45 in two columns on the back with the name from the Korean war at the bottom of this list.
Binyon's verse is on the third side. The fourth side is blank. In each case the lettering is incised and painted black, using sans serif capitals throughout. The dates themselves are on the lower faces.
At the base of the front and back are drinking troughs, now filled with flowers.
Materials used
Local stone from Denwick quarry.
Inscription
a. To the memory of / those of this Parish who gave / their lives for their country.
b. To the memory of / those of this Parish who gave / their lives for their country.
c. None.
"They shall grow not old as we that / are left grow old / Age shall not weary them nor the years / condemn. / At the going down of the sun and in the / morning / We will remember them."
b. To the memory of / those of this Parish who gave / their lives for their country.
c. None.
"They shall grow not old as we that / are left grow old / Age shall not weary them nor the years / condemn. / At the going down of the sun and in the / morning / We will remember them."
Names
Who commissioned
War Memorial Committee.
Cost
£600
How money was raised
Public subscription
Present condition
Restored 2007. Rededicated 30th September 2007
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
Designed by Reavell and Tebbs, Alnwick. Made by Muckle and Sons, Builders.
Ownership and maintenance
Rothbury Parish Council
Notes
1. The memorial was to have been unveiled by Maj. Gen. Sir Percival Wilkinson, C.B., K.C.M.G., who commanded the Division at the Front to which Rothbury men were attached. However, his car had broken down, and Lord Armstrong officiated in his place.
2. War Memorial Committee secretary was John Brown, a draper and outfitter in Rothbury.
3. First meeting was held in the Jubilee Hall to discuss proposals. Suggestions made were a stained glass window, nursing fund, public baths, or drinking fountain.
4. Alnwick Gazette Almanack 1916 carries photo of members of the Rothbury Branch of the Red Cross Society, also portrait of John Littlefair, killed in action.
5. The bronze sword on the top was designed and made by HH Martin and Co. of Cheltenham. The cost was £8 8s, this cost being borne by Lord Armstrong, Dr. Hedley, James Clark and John Brown.
6. The memorial was spotlit in 1974.
2. War Memorial Committee secretary was John Brown, a draper and outfitter in Rothbury.
3. First meeting was held in the Jubilee Hall to discuss proposals. Suggestions made were a stained glass window, nursing fund, public baths, or drinking fountain.
4. Alnwick Gazette Almanack 1916 carries photo of members of the Rothbury Branch of the Red Cross Society, also portrait of John Littlefair, killed in action.
5. The bronze sword on the top was designed and made by HH Martin and Co. of Cheltenham. The cost was £8 8s, this cost being borne by Lord Armstrong, Dr. Hedley, James Clark and John Brown.
6. The memorial was spotlit in 1974.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: Janet Brown; P. Thirkell; Tony Harding; Lonely Tower; old postcards: Tony Harding
Morpeth Herald 21/03/1919 reports suggestions and appointment of Steering Committee; 25/04/1919 reports more discussion; 06/06/1919 reports ballot in favour of drinking fountain; 27/06/1919 reports election of Committee; 28/01/1921 reports the unveiling ceremony.
Alnwick & County Gazette 28/08/1920 reports progress; 29/01/1921 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Daily Journal 05/08/1920 reports War Memorial Committee Meeting to decide a site for the fountain, and agreed to ask the managers of Thomlinson's School to allow a German gun to the fixed in the schoolyard; 24/08/1920 reports proposals for war memorial.
Illustrated Chronicle 24/01/1921 reports the unveiling to have been on 22nd January.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 29/01/1921 reports unveiling.
Northumberland Record Office Parish Council correspondence re War Memorial (Ref. PC71/17 1956 and 1973); War Memorial Committee Minute Book.
Northumberland Gazette 23/02/2006 reports EH Listing; 13/09/2007 reports proposed rededication after restoration.
Morpeth County Library Frith collection of photographs; Postcard collection
Source of quotation:
“They shall grow not old . . .” For the Fallen Lawrence Binyon.
Morpeth Herald 21/03/1919 reports suggestions and appointment of Steering Committee; 25/04/1919 reports more discussion; 06/06/1919 reports ballot in favour of drinking fountain; 27/06/1919 reports election of Committee; 28/01/1921 reports the unveiling ceremony.
Alnwick & County Gazette 28/08/1920 reports progress; 29/01/1921 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Daily Journal 05/08/1920 reports War Memorial Committee Meeting to decide a site for the fountain, and agreed to ask the managers of Thomlinson's School to allow a German gun to the fixed in the schoolyard; 24/08/1920 reports proposals for war memorial.
Illustrated Chronicle 24/01/1921 reports the unveiling to have been on 22nd January.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 29/01/1921 reports unveiling.
Northumberland Record Office Parish Council correspondence re War Memorial (Ref. PC71/17 1956 and 1973); War Memorial Committee Minute Book.
Northumberland Gazette 23/02/2006 reports EH Listing; 13/09/2007 reports proposed rededication after restoration.
Morpeth County Library Frith collection of photographs; Postcard collection
Source of quotation:
“They shall grow not old . . .” For the Fallen Lawrence Binyon.
External web link
Links to Source Material :
Additional Research documents (click to download)
Research acknowledgements
The late Bob Robson, Rothbury and Coquetdale Local History Society; Janet Brown; P. Thirkell; Imperial War Museum; Michael Newrick; Tony Harding; Dorothy Hall
Research In Progress
Duncan Glen is researching the names on this memorial and would like to hear from any one who has memorabilia, stories or photographs. Contact DUNCAN.GLEN@btinternet.com
Cross 1914-18 1939-45 Korea 1952 Green (R24.01)
ROTHBURY, Main Street.
To the memory of
those of this Parish who gave
their lives for their Country
William J. Atkinson Henry Mason
Reginald G. Avery John Mason
Jacob C. Bell James Milburn
Norman E. Charlton Thomas Murray
Thomas Cowans James McTear
William Dawson William Nichol
John Dawson William Potts
Thomas Davison James R. Richardson
Samuel T. Donkin William Richardson
Joshua Graham James S. Richardson
Thomas Gregory William R. Ridley
Robert Gutherson Robert W. Renton
Ephraim Hall Charles Robson
Robert Hounam Robert Rogerson
James F. Hood Joseph Scott
Robert R. Kidd George Trotter
Henry T. Kidd Thomas M. Trotter
John Littlefair William Turnbull
John R. Mavin John T. Wintrip
Douglas B. Weatherburn
William Pringle Charles Pearson
European War
1914-1919
-------------------------------------------
On side
"They shall grow not old as we that
are left grow old
Age shall not weary them nor the years
condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the
morning
We will remember them."
-------------------------------------------
On rear
To the memory of
those of this Parish who gave
their lives for their Country.
Reginald S. Aitchison Frederick H. Nixon
Lancelot Brewis James Ormston
John Chaplin John Read
Ralph W. Crawford James Reed
William Davidson Percy A. Reed
George Davison Charles P. Robson
Ernest B.L. Hart William J.R. Soulsby
George Helm John Stewart
Robert Laidler George A.N. Thompson
David Little Robert F. Thompson
Jonathan Mackay John T. Walker
Charles Milburn William L. Walker
Alexander C. Munro William H. Young
Edward Fenwicke-Clennell, Harbottle.
Geo. Anthony Foreman, Alwinton
John Graham, Biddlestone Edge
James L. Scott, Netherton
James H. Storey, Harbottle
John K. Thompson, Korean War 1952
World War
1939-1945
NameR24.01
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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