Cross 1914-18 1939-45 Churchyard

St. Andrew’s Church

In the graveyard, fronting on to the road.

a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45

b. November 1947 the Rector Rev S.A. Crawford conducted the unveiling ceremony.

Stone

a.
Sacred
to the memory of
these, who in the Great War,
gave their lives, for us at home.

b.
To the memory of
these, who gave
their lives in
the World War.

Cross of St.Cuthbert type, about 15 feet (4.8m) high, with Celtic pattern carving.

It stands on a cairn of stones, 79 inches square (200cm), the total being about 20 feet (6.5m) high.

The cross has a tapering pedestal on which are inscribed the names from 1914-18 on the front, and those from 1939-45 on the side.

The date of each war is inscribed on the narrow step below the pedestal.

The names from 1914-18 are listed in two columns, and those of 1939-45 are listed in a single column.

The lettering is inscribed in sans serif script capitals, apart from the word “Sacred” which is in Gothic.

1. On either side of the cross, the vicar planted a tree. On one side is a weeping ash, to represent the tears of the bereaved. The other is a maple, chosen because it turns red in November, to represent the blood of the fallen. The Vicar was himself the father of Francis Bevis Ellis, who was killed, the vicar being devastated at the loss of his son.

2. The cross is also mounted on a mound of boulders to represent the rugged road the servicemen had to tread.

3. “The weather-beaten Bothal Village war memorial is still the object of discussion by Ashington Council which is to obtain details as to cost of a bronze plaque bearing the names of the fallen. When the need for renovation to the memorial was brought to the council’s attention, there was a suggestion of the names on the memorial should be placed in Bothal Village Church.” News Post Leader 19/06/1997 quoting “25 Years Ago” 15/06/1972.

4. Mr. Lackey was gardener to Rev. Ellis. He took a sprig of weeping ash and grafted it to an ash tree already standing behind the iron railings so that it would not take as long to grow as a sapling would. It appears that one of the men, either Rev. Ellis or his gardener, were plant collectors. The acer planted beside the cross is acer septendlullium.

5. The trees on each side had grown to such an extent that the stone could never dry out properly and started to decay. This led to the restoration in 2013. Refurbished for November 11th 2013

Historic England Listing

Photos: Janet Brown, Philip Thirkell, Tony Harding; Alan Wallace; Barry Mead;
photo following rededication: Stephen Humphrey; Pat Pierpoint;
Old postcard: George Nairn

Blyth News
17/11/1947 reports unveiling ceremony

Morpeth Herald
16/01/1920 gives the story of John Scott of Pegswood.

Sunday Sun
29/08/1965 page 3.

The Journal
08/11/2011 carries a photo of the acer in full colour.

Newcastle Central Library
Description and photo

Morpeth County Library
Frith collection of photographs;

Janet Brown;
Philip Thirkell;
Wansbeck District Council;
Michael Batey, Bothal;
David Wise;
Alan Wallace;
Stephen Humphrey;
Pat Pierpoint
Barry Mead

The names on Bothal memorials are being researched by Mike Shingleton.

Contact: bothalwarmemorial@gmail.com