Plaque 1914-18 Clayport Presbyterian

Clayport Presbyterian Church, (closed)

This was at the west side of the opening to the organ chamber.

St.James United Reformed Church.

1914-18

Unveiled February 1920 by Councillor J. Frater, one of the oldest members of the Church.

Bronze

War Memorial Committee.

This tablet is erected by
Clayport Presbyterian Church, Alnwick
in gratefulness to Almighty God for victory granted
and to commemorate those belonging to the Congregation
who served in the Great War 1914-19.

Names of fallen

Pro Deo Patria et Rege
Faithful unto death their deeds live on.

Names of those who returned from the war
and find their fitting place in this memorial.

“Thine, O Lord, is the greatness and the
Power and the Glory and the Victory”.

Plaque 48 inches high x 24 inches wide (1210 mm x 608 mm).

There is a single line border, inside which sprays of leaves go up each side, tied with ribbon at the bottom.

The names of the fallen are listed in a single column, and underneath are the names of those who served, listed in two columns.

The lettering is in Roman capitals with fancy capitals for the dedication all in black with red initials.

1. Four people sharing the name “Darling” have been identified by the addition of the name of the street where they lived.

2. “Pro deo, patria et rege” translates as “For God, Country and King”.

3. Rev. W.L. Fordyce, M.A. from Etal, took up the Ministry in 1916. He wished to serve in France with the Y.M.C.A. but was refused permission by the Session, so he took care of troops stationed in the district and those families whose members had been killed.

4. Among those who served in 1939-45 was Mr. Richards, the organist.

5. Clayport Presbyterian Church was formed in 1753 and closed in 1955, when the congregation joined St. James Church.

6. St. James’s Church has been redesigned inside. All the memorials are now in a dedicated place at the top of the stairs, funded by War Memorials Trust.

Bailiffgate WW1 Database

Photos: Tony Harding; Janet Brown

Alnwick and County Gazette
03/01/1920 reports unveiling.

Morpeth Herald
02/01/1920 reports on the unveiling ceremony.

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
03/01/1920 reports unveiling.

Northern Echo
29/12/1919 reports unveiling.

A History of St. James’ United Reformed Church, Alnwick, incorporating Lisburn Street and Clayport Street Presbyterian Churches. Jane Straker, M.B.E., 1988, ISBN X000 153362

Sources of quotations:
“Faithful unto death” : Revelation 2 v 10;
“Thine, O Lord, is the Greatness . . .” :1 Chronicles 29 v 11.

Mrs. J. Purvis (St. James U.R. Church);
Janet Brown;
Tony Harding;
Dorothy Hall

If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk