Memorial Details
Memorial
Plaque 1914-18 Police HQ
Reference
P12.01
Place
PONTELAND
Map ref
NZ 163726
Original Location
Police headquarters at the Kylins, Morpeth. Located on the right hand side of the entrance to the then headquarters of the Northumberland Constabulary.
It was then relocated to Northumbria Police Headquarters in Ponteland, on an outside wall.
It was then relocated to Northumbria Police Headquarters in Ponteland, on an outside wall.
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Unveiled Monday 13th September 1920 by the Duke of Northumberland (Lord Lieutenant of the County); dedicated by the Bishop of Newcastle.
Memorial Description
Plaque 30 inches high x 15 inches wide (750mm x 376mm). There is a single line border. At top is the title below which is depicted the badge of the Northumberland County Council. The names are in a single column, using Roman capitals.
Materials used
Bronze
Inscription
Northumberland Constabulary / In memory of the following / comrades who gave their lives / for King and Country in the / Great War 1914-18
Steadfast in life, valiant in death.
Steadfast in life, valiant in death.
Names
Who commissioned
The Joint Standing Committee of the County Constabulary without outside assistance.
How money was raised
"This memorial . . . has been erected by the members of the County Constabulary without outside assistance".
Notes
1. When they moved in the 1970s, the memorial was placed 'in a specially prepared recess at the entrance to the Headquarters'.
2. 'The authority strength of the force was 294 of all ranks, and of these 82 members had served king and country in the Great War . . . 72 served in the Army and six in the Navy. Six were killed in action, one died of wounds, two died in service. 14 were wounded and one had been a prisoner from 1914. 65 had rejoined the force since hostilities ceased"
3. Constable R. Telford, whose name appears on the plaque, was killed at Willington Quay during an air-raid in June 1915.
4. The Ponteland Cottage Homes were opened in 1903 to take workhouse children from the Newcastle Workhouse. They closed in 1960.
The premises were used as a Teacher Training College until they left.
The buildings became the HQ of Northumbria Police. In 2015 they have built themselves another HQ and have moved out, but not entirely, and the site has been sold for housing.
5. In 2015, the Police premises were relocated to Wallsend.
6. This Memorial did not come to the new Headquarters. But the names have been added to the New Memorial a Wallsend.
2. 'The authority strength of the force was 294 of all ranks, and of these 82 members had served king and country in the Great War . . . 72 served in the Army and six in the Navy. Six were killed in action, one died of wounds, two died in service. 14 were wounded and one had been a prisoner from 1914. 65 had rejoined the force since hostilities ceased"
3. Constable R. Telford, whose name appears on the plaque, was killed at Willington Quay during an air-raid in June 1915.
4. The Ponteland Cottage Homes were opened in 1903 to take workhouse children from the Newcastle Workhouse. They closed in 1960.
The premises were used as a Teacher Training College until they left.
The buildings became the HQ of Northumbria Police. In 2015 they have built themselves another HQ and have moved out, but not entirely, and the site has been sold for housing.
5. In 2015, the Police premises were relocated to Wallsend.
6. This Memorial did not come to the new Headquarters. But the names have been added to the New Memorial a Wallsend.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: Janet Brown
Morpeth Herald 05/12/1919 carries brief report re decision to erect a memorial; 17/09/1920 carries full report of the unveiling ceremony.
Newcastle Daily Journal 14/09/1920 reports unveiling.
Illustrated Chronicle 14/09/1920 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 18/09/1920 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle 14/09/1920 reports unveiling.
Source of quotation:
“Steadfast in life, valiant in death” Not ascertained.
Morpeth Herald 05/12/1919 carries brief report re decision to erect a memorial; 17/09/1920 carries full report of the unveiling ceremony.
Newcastle Daily Journal 14/09/1920 reports unveiling.
Illustrated Chronicle 14/09/1920 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 18/09/1920 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle 14/09/1920 reports unveiling.
Source of quotation:
“Steadfast in life, valiant in death” Not ascertained.
Links to Source Material :
Additional Research documents (click to download)
Research acknowledgements
George and Janet Brown; Northumbria Police; M. Newrick; Dorothy Hall; Muriel Sobo; Mike Mullen, Northumbria Police
Research In Progress
John Grainger has researched the names on this memorial and would be pleased to hear from anyone with stories, photographs or memorabilia.
Contact:- monreith@aol.com
Plaque 1914-18 Police HQ (P12.01)
PONTELAND, Northumbria Police Headquarters
Northumberland Constabulary
(Shield)
In memory of the following
comrades who gave their lives
for King and Country in the
Great War 1914-1918
Killed in action
MacLennan, David B., L.Cpl. S.Gds
Shotton, John Tpr. L.Gds
Strother, John Sgt. N.F.
Taylor, John Cpt. C.Gds
Wooley, Robert Pte. Gord. Highrs.
Yorke, Edward, B.R. " S. Lan.
Died of Wounds
McDougall, Robert Gnr. R.F.A.
Died on Service
Cowe, Henry Pte. R.A.S.C.
Law, William Pte Gord. Highrs.
Killed in Air Raid
Telford, Robert, P.C.
Steadfast in Life, Valiant in Death.
NamesP12.01
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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