Memorial

Plaque Windlestone Colliery 1914-18 Memorial Cottages

Chilton Buildings

Memorial Name: Plaque Windlestone Colliery 1914-18 Memorial Cottages (C107.15)

NEWMP Ref No.: C107.15

Parish: Chilton Buildings

Original Location:

Beneath the Memorial Plaque, Memorial Cottages Chilton Buildings (C107.01)
On east side of Eden Terrace, almost opposite the Wheatsheaf pub.

Which War:

1914-18

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

September 2022

Cost:

£1500

How Money was Raised:

The Wheatsheaf Public House, Chilton Catholics Club and Chilton Sports and Social Club all held fundraising events, while the Chilton Miners Banner Appeal made a donation, as did Chilton Scooter Club and the 2+2 Scooter Club (County Durham), together with individual donations and the money raised from the sale of two County Durham Flags, meaning the sum of £1,500 was raised to pay for the memorial.

Inscription:

In Memory of those who worked at Windlestone Colliery
who gave their lives in the Great War.

Memorial Description:

Granite Plaque 16 inches high x 43 inches wide (41cms x 109cms)

Names:

20 surnames and initials
See Transcript

Notes:

The Northern Echo reports:-

The event started with the Ferryhill Town Band playing Gressford (The Miner’s Hymn) while the Chilton Miner’s banner was held aloft. The Mayor of Chilton Michael Young then addressed the crowd, followed by the town’s official Town Crier Norman Strongman reading out the names of the 20 men being honoured on the memorial.

The Scottish Pipers Kevin York and Kenny Williams then played the lament “Sky Boat”.

The Mayor accompanied by Stephen Guy, Chairman of the Durham Miners’ Association, and relatives of the Windlestone Colliery men then unveiled the memorial which has the names of the 20 former miners inscribed on it.

Chilton Town Clerk John Robinson then read out “The Soldier” followed by “For the Fallen” and finally “Kohima Epitaph” which was followed by the laying of a number of wreaths.

The Town Clerk and Mayor lead the two minute silence in honour of the 20 men, followed by Ferryhill Town Band playing the “Last Post” and “Reveille”.

The Mayor, Mayoress and Town Clerk then thanked everyone for attending what was a very moving and dignified event in honour of the brave men.

The Scottish Pipers ended the ceremony with the lament “Hector the Hero”.

Special thanks to local historian Barry Richardson who found the names of the men; brothers Michael and Edward Slater who had a banner made with the names of the 20 men on – which inspired this actual memorial; and James Moffatt who suggested to the council the memorial for the men and for helping to co-ordinate the fundraising.