Memorial Details
Memorial
Plaque 1914-18 Earl's House School
Reference
D47.098
Place
DURHAM CITY
Original Location
Earl’s House School, Lanchester Road, Durham.
Present Location
Reception/cafe area Lanchester Road Hospital, Durham
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Unveiled January 1920 by Major J. Ritson, 8th D.L.I.
Restored, replaced and unveiled November 7th 2014 by Brent Kilmurray and Marcus Hawthorn.
Restored, replaced and unveiled November 7th 2014 by Brent Kilmurray and Marcus Hawthorn.
Memorial Description
Plaque. There is a wide border of leaves broken at centre top by an elaborate cross. Lettering is in elongated sans serif capitals.
Materials used
Brass
Inscription
To the memory of the following who gave their lives for their country in the European War 1914-1918
Names
Who commissioned
Major Ritson.
Notes
1. This was an Industrial School on the site now occupied by Earl’s House Hospital. It closed in 1922.
2. The unveiling took place at the annual prize-giving ceremony.
3. Major Ritson and previous members of his family had shown “a long series of acts of kindness” to the school over many years.
4. In 2002 the brasses were relocated to Durham Hospital. It was taken at some time after to Winterton Hospital Chapel. In 2009, when it obvious that the area was to be redeveloped, an approach was made to the Health authorities who allowed the brasses to be taken into private hands.
5. Tees Esk and Wear Valleys Trust Website November 7th 2014
A plaque commemorating the memory of staff and pupils from the former Earls House Industrial School, Durham who lost their lives during the First World War has been returned to its rightful place today November 7th 2014 after being rescued from a skip.
The memorial plaque names nine men and was originally unveiled in 1919 at the school which stood on the site of the Lanchester Road Hospital in Durham.
The plaque was rescued from a skip by local history enthusiast David Hillerby in 2012 and restored with the help of Durham County Council’s archive team, the Friends of Durham County Record Office (FODCRO) and the Tees Esk and Wear Valleys Trust.
The plaque was unveiled in the reception/cafe area of the hospital alongside information boards providing an overview of Earls House Industrial School.
Marcus Hawthorn, non-executive director, TEWV and British Legion Northern Area Manager, said “The Earls House memorial plaque captures an important moment in time; one which we must not forget. It commemorates those men who gave their lives for our country – men who worked and studied on this very site, formerly Earls House Industrial School, now Lanchester Road Hospital. To be able to play a role in ensuring this piece of history returns to its rightful place is hugely satisfying and helps the memory of the fallen live on.”
Liz Bregazzi, county archivist at Durham County Record Office, said: “We are delighted to see the plaque conserved and restored to its original home. A chance meeting with Mr Hillerby by the Friends of Durham County Record Office while fundraising for the project Durham at War, helped identify and research the history of the plaque and ensure that the boys and their bandmaster who gave their lives are remembered forever.”
2. The unveiling took place at the annual prize-giving ceremony.
3. Major Ritson and previous members of his family had shown “a long series of acts of kindness” to the school over many years.
4. In 2002 the brasses were relocated to Durham Hospital. It was taken at some time after to Winterton Hospital Chapel. In 2009, when it obvious that the area was to be redeveloped, an approach was made to the Health authorities who allowed the brasses to be taken into private hands.
5. Tees Esk and Wear Valleys Trust Website November 7th 2014
A plaque commemorating the memory of staff and pupils from the former Earls House Industrial School, Durham who lost their lives during the First World War has been returned to its rightful place today November 7th 2014 after being rescued from a skip.
The memorial plaque names nine men and was originally unveiled in 1919 at the school which stood on the site of the Lanchester Road Hospital in Durham.
The plaque was rescued from a skip by local history enthusiast David Hillerby in 2012 and restored with the help of Durham County Council’s archive team, the Friends of Durham County Record Office (FODCRO) and the Tees Esk and Wear Valleys Trust.
The plaque was unveiled in the reception/cafe area of the hospital alongside information boards providing an overview of Earls House Industrial School.
Marcus Hawthorn, non-executive director, TEWV and British Legion Northern Area Manager, said “The Earls House memorial plaque captures an important moment in time; one which we must not forget. It commemorates those men who gave their lives for our country – men who worked and studied on this very site, formerly Earls House Industrial School, now Lanchester Road Hospital. To be able to play a role in ensuring this piece of history returns to its rightful place is hugely satisfying and helps the memory of the fallen live on.”
Liz Bregazzi, county archivist at Durham County Record Office, said: “We are delighted to see the plaque conserved and restored to its original home. A chance meeting with Mr Hillerby by the Friends of Durham County Record Office while fundraising for the project Durham at War, helped identify and research the history of the plaque and ensure that the boys and their bandmaster who gave their lives are remembered forever.”
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: Ken Saiger; John Dixon
Durham Chronicle 2/1/1920 reports unveiling.
North Mail 1/1/1920 reports memorial to “the bandmaster and seven old scholars”.
Northern Echo 30/11/1922 reports proposals to close the school due to serious decline in the numbers of pupils.
Auckland and County Chronicle 8/1/1920 reports unveiling.
Durham Times 14/11/2014 reports rededication.
Durham Chronicle 2/1/1920 reports unveiling.
North Mail 1/1/1920 reports memorial to “the bandmaster and seven old scholars”.
Northern Echo 30/11/1922 reports proposals to close the school due to serious decline in the numbers of pupils.
Auckland and County Chronicle 8/1/1920 reports unveiling.
Durham Times 14/11/2014 reports rededication.
External web link
Links to Source Material :
Additional Research documents (click to download)
Research acknowledgements
Dorothy Hall; David Hillerby; Ken Saiger; John and Mavis Dixon
Research In Progress
If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk
Plaque 1914-18 Earl's House School (D47.098)
To the memory of the following
who gave their lives for their country
in the European War 1914-1918
Staff
Sergeant Robert Yule, 19th Durham Light
Infantry, School Bandmaster
Old Scholars
Sergeant John R. Bell, 3rd Rifle Brigade
Gunner William Cribbin, Royal Garrison Artillery
Private John George Davison, 7th King’s Own Scottish Borderers
Private George Reynolds, 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers
Private Robert Richardson, 11th Durham Light Infantry
Private John Willis, 10th King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Private Thomas Charles Wilson, 16th Durham Light Infantry
Private Maurice Rogerson Wood, 6th Durham Light Infantry.
NamesD47.098
You are looking at all the information and the best images we have so far on this memorial. If you can supply more information or better images please get in touch by sending an email to enquiries@newmp.org.uk.
Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
The British Library is preserving this site for the future in the UK Web Archive at www.webarchive.org.uk
Copyright 2013, North East War Memorials Project. Registered Charity No. 1113088
Another Effective Group Website