Obelisk 5th N.F. 1914-18 Walker Park

In Walker Park, Scrogg Road.

In south west corner.

1914-18

Unveiled 24th May 1921 by Col. E.P.A. Riddell, C.M.G., D.S.O.;
Dedicated by Rev. A. S. Wardroper, Vicar of Longhirst.

Restored memorial unveiled 30th July 2016 by Lieut. Robin V. Brims, CB., CBE., DSO., DL.

Stone

Designed by Messrs. Graham and Hill, Newcastle.
Bronze plaque modeled by Mr. A. Proufoot, A.R.S.A.
Made by Mr. George Carr, Newcastle.

The Fifth Battalion
Northumberland Fusiliers

In memory of the Officers and Men of
the Battalion who gave their lives for
their country in the Great War,
1914-1918
And those officers and Men of
The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers
and the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
who have lost their lives in conflicts since.
Erected by members
and friends of The Battalion.

“Quo Fata Vocant”
(Whither the fates call)

The Roll of Honour is held in
Walker Parish Church.

On plinth
Dulce et decorum
est
pro patria mori

Obelisk, 16 feet high (4.9m), standing on a base of fine dressed steps.

At the top of the obelisk is a bronze casting of the Northumberland Fusiliers’ badge of St. George and the Dragon, and on the face of the monument is a plaque bearing the dedication.

The quotation is carved into one side of the pedestal, using elaborate capitals and substituting a “v” for “u”.

1. 190 officers and 4,000 men fought in France, of whom 45 officers and 1003 men were killed.

2. The bronze plaques were stolen.

3. In 2016 the memorial was restored and rededicated. The plaques were replaced with granite plaques inscribed with gold. The upper one bears St.George and the Dragon – the badge of the Northumberland Fusiliers. The lower one has had the wording adjusted to include later wars.

4. The original plaque read:
Fifth Battalion
Northumberland Fusiliers
In memory of the officers and men of
the Battalion who gave their lives for
their country in the Great War,
1914-1918
Erected by members and friends of
The Battalion.
“Quo Fata Vocant”

5. In the 2016 ceremony wreaths were laid by Lt. General Brims, the Lord Mayor of Newcastle Hazel Stephenson, the German Consul in Newcastle Josephine Valerie Chexal, Walker Churchyard Memorial Group, Major Gary Jones MBE of RRF, then by Raymond Hull, a Fusilier Veteran, born in Walker, who was 101 years of age. The final wreaths were laid by a young boy and girl on behalf of the children of Walker.

Historic England Listing

Photos: P. Thirkell; E. Simpson; Jim Smith

Illustrated Chronicle
21/05/1921 reports proposed unveiling;
24/05/1921 carries details of the memorial;
25/05/1921 reports unveiling with photos.

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
28/05/1921 reports unveiling.

Northern Echo
17/11/1920 reports proposed memorial.

Shields Daily News
25/05/1921 reports unveiling ceremony

St. George’s Gazette
Vol. XXXIX (1921) gives full report on unveiling.

Catalogue of Sculpture, Monuments and Memorials in Public Places in Newcastle upon Tyne Newcastle City Council 1985.

Source of quotation:
Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori (It is a sweet and noble thing to die for one’s country) Horace, Odes Book 3, No.2, 1.13

Ralph W. Gould;
F. McDonald (Newcastle City Council);
Philip Thirkell;
E. Simpson;
Joan Jobling;
Dorothy Hall;
Jim Smith (Secretary, Walker Churchyard Memorial Group)

If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk