Memorial

Plaque 1914-18 St. George’s Presbyterian

Ashington

Memorial Name: Plaque 1914-18 St. George's Presbyterian (A17.11)

NEWMP Ref No.: A17.11

Parish: Ashington

Original Location:

Originally on west wall of nave of St. George’s Presbyterian Church.

Past Location:

Later renamed St. George’s United Reformed Church, Station Road.

Present Location:

Now called Trinity Church. (Methodist and United Reformed)

In the corridor following the alterations to the church into a Community centre.

Which War:

1914-18

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

Unveiled February 1921 by Rev. Mr. Campbell of Alnwick.

Materials Used:

Brass in wood frame.

Who Commissioned:

Church members

Inscription:

Erected by the Congregation
in sacred memory of those who
gave their lives in the Great War
1914-1919

“Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away”.

Memorial Description:

Plaque set on a wood pattress.

There is a border of a single red line which culminates in a square in each corner, in which is a symmetrical leaf design.

The dedication and the quotation are in Roman capitals.

The names are listed in three columns using sans serif capitals.

The plaque sits on a wood surround which incorporates a boxed ledge at the front in which are slots in which poppies are placed on Remembrance Sunday.

Names:

25 full names.
See transcript.

Notes:

1. With the closure of two other churches in Ashington, the three congregations united into St. George’s which was renamed Trinity Church.

2. The name of George Cleough is correctly copied from the plaque. However, he is confirmed as being the same George Clough as the individual plaque A17.16.

3. During the Great War, serving men from Scottish regiments (Royal Scots Fusiliers; Black Watch) attended services here.

4. “In 1940 it was decided to open the church hall as a forces’ canteen. Many members gave strong support to the canteen, which was a facility much appreciated by servicemen in the district. Church windows were blacked out to enable the evening services to continue. Railings in front of the church were removed for the war effort”

5. Miss Cullen, sister to Rev. Wm. Cullen, B.A., minister at St. George’s from 1935 to 1944, was a Presbyterian missionary interned by the Japanese but returned safely.

Sources:

Photos: J. Brown; Tony Harding

Morpeth Herald
11/02/1921 reports the unveiling.

Centenary Brochure 1899-1999 Trinity Church (Methodist/United Reformed) Ashington D. Wise.

Source of quotation
“Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away” Song of Solomon 2 v 17, 4 v 6