Crucifix 1914-18 1939-45 Grotto

In an alcove or grotto beneath Bamburgh Castle.

a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45

a.
Unveiled May 15th (Whit Sunday) 1921 by Lord Armstrong.
Dedicated by the Bishop of Newcastle, Bishop Herbert Louis Wild.

b.
Unveiled 06/11/1949 by Duke of Northumberland.
Service conducted by Rev. S.F.J. Dennett Vicar of Bamburgh.

The memorial was rededicated 10th November 2019.

White Portland stone with bronze plaques.

£500 approx. £320 for the Crucifix, £60 12s 0d for the bronze plaques.

Public subscription.

Designed by Mr. Hicks, of Hicks and Charleworth, Architects, Newcastle upon Tyne; made by Mr. G.W. Milburn of York.

Remade 2019 by Mr. Adran Melka, sculptor of York, and Classic Masonry of North Shields.

To the glorious memory
of the men of Bamburgh
who gave their lives for
their Country in the wars
1914-1919 and 1939-1945
May they rest in peace.

Crucifix, total height 13 feet and its arms 36 inches wide (3.96m x 91cms).

It stands on a square pedestal, 32 inches high x 49 inches wide (81cms x 124cms) and with stone wreath leaning against the foot of the cross.

The figure of Christ is 42 inches (107cms) high.

The quotation is on the shaft of the cross, the benediction is carved on the pedestal in sans serif capitals.

The words “May they rest in peace” are on the lower pedestal.

All lettering is incised using Roman capitals throughout.

Attached to the walls of the grotto, one at each side of the cross, are two plaques 28 inches high x 16 inches wide (71cms x 41cms) with cable borders, each bearing ten names from 1914-18.

Below the right hand plaque is a third plaque bearing the names from 1939-45.

Above each is a shallow plate bearing the dates of the two great wars.

Lettering is in raised Roman upper case for the words “Roll of Honour” and lower case for the names.

1. The sculptor also made the reredos in the church

2. At the unveiling, it was announced that there was a surplus of £4 raised over the costs.

3. At a final meeting, it was announced that the total costs had been £429 10s 2d. There was a balance in hand of £1 2s 6d which was to be kept in case it should be required.

4. Gunner M. Nutman of Bamburgh was awarded the Military Medal. This is reported in the Alnwick Gazette Almanack A11.56.

5. In June 2019 the Cross was away being repaired and had been replaced temporarily by a ‘There but Not There’ figure. The repair was unsuccessful and a new one made.

6. Recreated 2016, helped by a grants from the War Memorials Trust.

Photos: Janet Brown; Ralph W. Gould, Philip Thirkell, Dorothy Hall;
old postcards: Tony Harding; photo of unveiling: Andrew Brooks

Alnwick & County Gazette
07/05/1921 reports proposed unveiling;
21/05/1921 reports unveiling;
03/09/1921 reports final costs and balance in hand;
13/05/1922 carries the poem “Bamburgh War Memorial” by R. Wake of Bamburgh Castle.

Berwick Advertiser
10/11/1949 reports unveiling.
(Available on The British Newspaper Archive)

Illustrated Chronicle
17/05/1921 reports unveiling.

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
21/05/1921 reports unveiling

Morpeth County Library
Postcard collection

Newcastle Central Library
photographs c1930, 1966.

Imperial War Museum photographs of unveiling ceremony (photocopies on file)

The Arts and Crafts Movement in the North East of England; Barrie and Wendy Armstrong; 2013; Oblong; 9 780957 599215.

Source of quotation:
“May they rest in peace” Mass for the dead

North Sunderland and Seahouses Local History Society;
Berwick upon Tweed Town Council;
Philip Thirkell;
Imperial War Museum;
Janet Brown;
Tony Harding;
Andrew Brooks;
Dorothy Hall;
Andrew Bardgett, Bamburgh Parish Council.

Bamburgh Heritage Trust is researching the names.

Contact Chris Baldwin, chrismbaldwin@btinternet.com