Memorial

Cross 1914-18 Village Green

Simonburn

Memorial Name: Cross 1914-18 Village Green (S32.01)

NEWMP Ref No.: S32.01

Parish: Simonburn

Original Location:

On village green.

Which War:

1914-18

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

Unveiled 30th May 1920 by Brig. Gen. W.H. Allgood, C.M.G., D.S.O.
Dedicated by the Rector of Simonburn.

Materials Used:

Portland stone

Sculptor, Artist or Designer:

Hart, Peard, Son & Co., London and Birmingham.

Ownership and Maintenance: Handed to Parish Council at unveiling ceremony.

Inscription:

To the glory of God and
in abiding memory of those
men of the parish of Simonburn
who for Home and Country
served in the Great War this
cross here stands in our midst.
MDCCCCXX

Memorial Description:

Cross of wheeled type with Celtic decoration 9 feet 6 inches tall, measuring 24 inches across the arms of the cross and 13 inches x 7 inches wide (290cms x 61cms x 33cms x18cms) at its base.

It stands on a rectangular pedestal which bears the inscription.

This in turn stands on three wide, shallow steps which are set into an octagonal gravelled area.

The whole is surrounded by eight low concrete posts supporting a single-link chain.

The inscription is incised using Roman capitals.

Names:

None.

Notes:

1. From the area, 79 men served, of whom 10 died and 12 were wounded.

2. The unveiling had to be postponed from 22nd May because the plaque created to be placed in the church had gone astray. The plaque was unveiled on the same day as the cross.

3. In 2005 there were suggestions that the names should be added somewhere.

External Links:

Historic England Listing

Sources:

Photos: P. Thirkell; Ken and Dorothy Southern; Rodney Higgins; old postcard: Tony Harding; John S. Perry

Alnwick & County Gazette
29/05/1920 announces unveiling on 30/5/1920

Hexham Courant
carries report of unveiling.

Hexham Weekly News
04/06/1920 reports unveiling.

Morpeth Herald
04/06/1920 gives brief report of unveiling ceremony.

Newcastle Daily Chronicle
01/06/1920 reports unveiling.

Newcastle Daily Journal
05/05/1920 reports proposed unveiling;
21/05/1920 reports delay in unveiling through late arrival of tablet;
24/05/1920 reports unveiling 30th May.

Newcastle Central Library
photo 1966.