Memorial

Plaque 1914-18 Presbyterian

Bellingham

Memorial Name: Plaque 1914-18 Presbyterian (B18.10)

NEWMP Ref No.: B18.10

Parish: Bellingham

Original Location:

Bellingham Presbyterian Church

Past Location:

Later United Reformed Church

Present Location:

Methodist and United Reformed Church Hall.

Upper of two.

Which War:

1914-18

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

Unveiled April 1920 by Maj.Gen Sir R.A. Kerr-Montgomery. Service conducted by Rev. John McKee, M.A.

Materials Used:

Grey Sicilian marble framed in oak.

Inscription:

In grateful remembrance
of
(Names)
who fell in the Great War
1914-1918
“They died the noblest death that man can die,
fighting for God and right and liberty;
and such a death is immortality”

The brass plate reads:
Transferred from
Bellingham United Reformed Church
(formerly Presbyterian)
1982

Memorial Description:

Plaque 24 inches square (61cms) in plain wood frame.

Upper of two.

The lettering is in elaborate Roman capitals.

The quotation at the bottom is in italic capitals.

Above the memorial is a small brass plate stating that the memorial had formerly been in the Presbyterian Church.

Names:

9 names, ranks and regiments.
See transcript.

Notes:

1. It would appear that the original was placed on a black marble pattress. When the similar plaque for 1939-45 was prepared, it was possibly then that the two were put together in the oak surround.

Sources:

Photos: J. Brown; Tony Harding

Illustrated Chronicle
10/04/1920 reports unveiling.

Newcastle Daily Journal
09/04/1920 reports unveiling.

Source of quotation
“They died the noblest death and man can die . . . “ To You Who Have Lost John Oxenham

Sources Link: Illustrated Chronicle 04 10 Sat -1920

Additional Research Documents

Research Acknowledgements:

Bellingham Local History Society;
Janet Brown;
Tony Harding;
Dorothy Hall

Research In Progress:

Alan Grint researched the names on this memorial in his book In Silent Fortitude: In Memory of the Men of the North Tyne Valley who Fell in the Great War; 2011; Ergo Press; ISBN 9780955751097: Contact:-Cogito books 01434 602555