Memorial

Cross Snowball 1900 Cemetery

Ryhope

Memorial Name: Cross Snowball 1900 Cemetery (R52.06)

NEWMP Ref No.: R52.06

Parish: Ryhope

Original Location:

Ryhope Cemetery, Burdon Lane.

On right hand side of the main path, just in front of the chapel.

Which War:

South Africa 1899-1902

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

Unveiled 29th November 1902 by Captain H.S. Streatfield

Materials Used:

White Marble

Who Commissioned:

Ryhope Reservists Relief Fund

Cost:

£10 10 shillings

How Money was Raised:

Public subscription

Present Condition: Broken in two pieces 2012/2016

Sculptor, Artist or Designer:

Designed and executed by the Bros. McMann, Hylton Road Sunderland.

Inscription:

To the memory of
Private John W. Snowball
1st Batt. Scots Guards
who was killed whilst in active service
with the British Forces in South Africa
Aug. 23rd 1900
Erected by public subscription
by the people of Ryhope

Memorial Description:

Cross, 66 inches high (168cms), very plain, on three-stepped pedestal on a base.

The dedication is on the arms of the cross, whilst the rest of the inscription is on the risers to the pedestal.

Names:

See above

Notes:

1. The Sunderland Echo 01/12/1902 reports:-
“On Saturday afternoon, in wretched weather a large number of people assembled in the Burdon Lane Cemetery Ryhope to witness the ceremony of the unveiling of a memorial stone by Captain Streatfield to the memory of Private John William Snowball who was killed in South Africa on August 23rd 1900. At 2pm the Reservists Committee and the nine Reservists who have returned home marched in procession from the Blue Bell Hotel to the cemetery. They were joined en-route by the relatives of the deceased and a large number of friends. On arrival Councillor Robert Richardson gave a short address and introduced Captain H.S. Streatfield. Captain Streatfield said that perhaps a memorial stone had been erected to Private Snowball where he was accidentally killed but at any rate the people of Ryhope had given a very handsome stone to his memory and he would be remembered for many years to come as a soldier who had died performing his duty to his country.

2. See his Every Name a Story entry

Sources:

Photos: C. Sanders; Tony Harding; James Pasby

Sunderland Echo
23/08/1901 -In Memoriam;
01/12/1902 reports unveiling;
24/08/1903 In Memoriam;
23/08/1904 In Memoriam.
(Available on The British Newspaper Archive)