Memorial Details
Memorial
Obelisk 5th N.F. 1914-18 Walker Park
Reference
W2.04
Place
WALKER on TYNE
Map ref
NZ 289641
Original Location
In Walker Park, Scrogg Road. In south west corner.
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
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.
Restored memorial unveiled 30th July 2016 by Lieut. Robin V. Brims, CB., CBE., DSO., DL.
Memorial Description
Obelisk, 16 feet high, 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 fancy capitals and substituting a “v” for “u”.
The quotation is carved into one side of the pedestal, using fancy capitals and substituting a “v” for “u”.
Materials used
Stone
Inscription
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)v The Roll of Honour is held in
Walker Parish Church.
On plinth Dulce et decorum
est
pro patria mori
Names
None
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
Designed by Messrs. Graham and Hill, Newcastle. Bronze plaque modeled by Mr. A. Proufoot, A.R.S.A. Made by Mr. George Carr, Newcastle.
Notes
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 is 101 years of age. The final wreaths were laid by a young boy and girl on behalf of the children of Walker.
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 is 101 years of age. The final wreaths were laid by a young boy and girl on behalf of the children of Walker.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: P. Thirkell; E. Simpson; Jim Smith
Shields Daily News 25/05/1921 reports unveiling ceremony
Illustrated Chronicle 21/05/1921 reports proposed unveiling; 24/05/1921 carries details of the memorial; 25/05/1921 reports unveiling with photos.
Northern Echo 17/11/1920 reports proposed memorial.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 28/05/1921 reports unveiling.
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
Shields Daily News 25/05/1921 reports unveiling ceremony
Illustrated Chronicle 21/05/1921 reports proposed unveiling; 24/05/1921 carries details of the memorial; 25/05/1921 reports unveiling with photos.
Northern Echo 17/11/1920 reports proposed memorial.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 28/05/1921 reports unveiling.
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
External web link
Links to Source Material :
Additional Research documents (click to download)
Research acknowledgements
The late R.W. Gould; F. McDonald (Newcastle City Council); Philip Thirkell; E. Simpson; Joan Jobling; Dorothy Hall; Jim Smith (Secretary, Walker Churchyard Memorial Group)
Research In Progress
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Obelisk 5th N.F. 1914-18 Walker Park (W2.04)
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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