Memorial Details
Memorial
Column 1914-18 Cathedral grounds
Reference
D47.003
Place
DURHAM CITY
Map ref
NZ 273420
Original Location
Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham, Palace Green. Outside the east front.
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Unveiled 12 noon Saturday 24th November 1928 by Lord Lieutenant, the Marquess of Londonderry.
Memorial Description
Column in Norman-style which is carved with modern artefacts such as helmets, water bottles, Mills bomb and rifle grenades etc. and also with local symbols.
On the top is an object in three dimensions described as “an elaboration of the Cross of St. Cuthbert”.
The column stands on an octagonal base. This in turn stands on a square plinth which has the dates “1914-1918” incised in Roman lettering.
On the top is an object in three dimensions described as “an elaboration of the Cross of St. Cuthbert”.
The column stands on an octagonal base. This in turn stands on a square plinth which has the dates “1914-1918” incised in Roman lettering.
Materials used
Stone
Inscription
Names
None
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
Designed by Prof. (later Sir Charles) C.H. Reilly of Liverpool University; made by Mr. H. Tyson Smith, sculptor of Liverpool; memorial erected by Frank W. Goodyear & Son from Gilesgate.
Notes
1. In 1956 the original walls with metal railings and steps up to the column were removed and the area grassed over.
2. This memorial took ten years to put up, a decade marked by controversy about where to put it, what it should look like, who would pay for it, or even whether to have one at all. One objector wrote “Durham City is already smothered with memorials”.
3. “The Durham County War Memorial . . . stands within the precincts of the cathedral, immediately before the east end. It has been designed as a stout column of Norman type to harmonize with the Norman columns of the nave. A memorial of slighter proportions would have been out of scale with the buttresses near it”.
4. The area surrounding the memorial is currently a storage yard and is not accessible to the public. It is hoped to have it all restored by 2018.
2. This memorial took ten years to put up, a decade marked by controversy about where to put it, what it should look like, who would pay for it, or even whether to have one at all. One objector wrote “Durham City is already smothered with memorials”.
3. “The Durham County War Memorial . . . stands within the precincts of the cathedral, immediately before the east end. It has been designed as a stout column of Norman type to harmonize with the Norman columns of the nave. A memorial of slighter proportions would have been out of scale with the buttresses near it”.
4. The area surrounding the memorial is currently a storage yard and is not accessible to the public. It is hoped to have it all restored by 2018.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: Simon Raine; John and Mavis Dixon; James Pasby
Durham County Advertiser 22/11/1928
Architects’ Journal 25/12/1929
Durham County Council Ref: 505/4/8/260
Durham Michael F. Richardson page 37
Durham: The People and the Place Michael F. Richardson ISBN 1 870268 19 9 (In Clayport Library) contains photos of the Unveiling Parade and ceremony.
Friends of Durham Cathedral 24th Annual Report 1956-7
Durham County Advertiser 22/11/1928
Architects’ Journal 25/12/1929
Durham County Council Ref: 505/4/8/260
Durham Michael F. Richardson page 37
Durham: The People and the Place Michael F. Richardson ISBN 1 870268 19 9 (In Clayport Library) contains photos of the Unveiling Parade and ceremony.
Friends of Durham Cathedral 24th Annual Report 1956-7
External web link
Research acknowledgements
James Pasby: Simon Raine; Durham County Council; John and Mavis Dixon; Cathedral staff; Alison Morgan
Research In Progress
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Column 1914-18 Cathedral grounds (D47.003)
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
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