Memorial

Plaque 1939-45 St. John the Baptist

Alnmouth

Memorial Name: Plaque 1939-45 St. John the Baptist (A10.04)

NEWMP Ref No.: A10.04

Parish: Alnmouth

Original Location:

St. John the Baptist Church, Northumberland Street

Which War:

1939-45

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

Unveiled 7th November 1948 by Duke of Northumberland and dedicated by the vicar.

Materials Used:

Portland stone.

Who Commissioned:

Men’s and Women’s Sections of the Alnmouth and District Branch of the British Legion.

Cost:

Estimated at £78

How Money was Raised:

Alnmouth and District Royal British Legion.

Sculptor, Artist or Designer:

Inscription:

To the memory of the men and
women of Alnmouth who gave their
lives in the World War 1939-1945

Memorial Description:

Plaque 23½ inches high x 50½ inches wide (596mm x 1270mm).

There is a cross in the top left hand corner, otherwise the plaque is very plain.

The names of military men who died are given in two columns, and underneath are two more columns of civilians who died.

Lettering is in Roman capitals, incised and painted blue.

Names:

10 names, ranks and regiments of military personnel and 8 full names of civilians.
See transcript.

Notes:

1. This memorial was unveiled by the Duke of Northumberland on the same day as those at Lesbury and Longhoughton.

2. In an annual report, the Alnmouth Branch of the British Legion said that they had erected three memorials, which had cost them £84 0s 6d. and that the Women’s Section had paid half the costs.

3. A Book in the church states The War Memorial Plaque to the memory of the Fallen in World War II, was the gift of the Alnmouth and District British Legion . Unveiled by His Grace the Duke of Northumberland and dedicated by the Vicar on Remembrance Sunday 7th November 1948.

External Links:

Alnmouth War memorials

Sources:

Photos: J. Brown

Morpeth Herald
05/11/1948 reports proposed unveiling of memorials in three churches on the same day;
16/12/1948 reports on the British Legion’s costs;

Diocese of Newcastle
Faculty Book 2 , No. 1668, 19/10/1948 (NRO)

Around Alnmouth, John Yearnshire, Sunderland, The People’s Press 2000, ISBN 1 903534 03 8 includes photos of Mrs Scholefield and of some of those who served, and some who died, from Alnmouth. Page 36 has a photo of Mr and Mrs Yearnshire and there are individual photos of their six sons in uniform.