Cross 9th D.L.I. 1916 D.L.I. Museum

The cross was originally erected in France as a memorial to the Battalion dead.

After the war, the French sent it to Gateshead Drill Hall in Burt Terrace.

The maker claimed it from there, repaired it, and placed it in St. Mary’s Church Gateshead.

D.L.I. Museum at Durham (closed)

D.L.I. Collection at Spennymoor

The Story Durham (formerly D.L.I. Collection, Spennymoor)

1914-18

Erected during the Battle of the Somme.
Dedicated on its placement in St. Mary’s 1926 by Rev. L.A. Hughes, Assistant Chaplain, General, Northern Command, following the unveiling by Lieut.Col. F.R. Simpson, T.D., Hon. Colonel of the 9th D.L.I.

Wood

Made by Sgt. Sutton, a carpenter.
Painted by Mr. Ernest Mitchell of 30 Sidney Grove, Bensham, Gateshead.

On crosspiece:
In memory
of the gallant Officers, N.C.Os
and men of the 9th Battalion
the Durham Light Inftry
who fell in action Sept. 15th 19th
Oct.1st 1916

On top step:
Dulce et decorum est
pro patria mori

On second step:
Erected in affectionate remembrance
by their friends who fought with them and
who will ever keep their memory green

Cross with ornate top standing on three steps.

The edges are traced with gold paint.

The badge of the Durham Light Infantry is carved at the top.

The dedication is carried on the cross piece.

The quotation is on the front of the top step.

The details of the erection are on the front of the middle step.

1. The design for relocating the cross was by Cordingley and McIntyre, Durham City, February 1970.

2.  Three crosses were erected on the Butte de Warlencourt to various D.L.I. battalions. These were all brought back to England. One is in Chester le Street (C105.18) and the other at South Church, Bishop Auckland (S144.03). To commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, these were all briefly brought together in a display at the D.L.I. Museum. In 2016 they were on display in Durham Cathedral.

3.  A newspaper report states that the cross was made and painted by Mr. Ernest Mitchell who lived at 30 Sydney Grove, Bensham. He died in 1958. In order to paint the cross, he walked in front of the Germans with a paint pot in his hand. He was a clear target, but the Germans left him alone.

4. He and Sgt. Sutton made two crosses, the second one being placed on the battleground at Arras. Both remained in France until the French government sent both to the D.L.I. 9th Battalion Drill Hall in Burt Terrace. Mr. Mitchell reclaimed the Somme cross as his. The second one went straight to Durham Cathedral.

5. From the battalion who were at the Somme, 10 Officers were killed, 27 wounded, 3 missing. Of the NCOs and men, 175 were killed, 595 were wounded and 134 missing. Nearly all the those missing were presumed killed.

6. At the dedication ceremony, the colours were handed to Canon Stephenson, who laid them on the altar.

Photos: C. Sanders; Janet Brown

Evening Chronicle
09/11/1957

Gateshead Post
01/11/1966 and 08/11/1968 tell the story of the making and erection of the cross in France

Illustrated Chronicle
26/07/1917 carries photos of Bradford sketch

Tyne & Wear Archives
DX730/1/1-4 includes a drawing made of the cross entitled “This is a drawing of the cross which we erected to our friends who were killed during the Great Advance” by Roland Bradford, commanding 9th Battalion, Oct. 1916.

Diocese of Durham
Faculty 5176, issued 13/02/1970 allows removal from St. Mary’s porch to a new position in the north transept.

Source of quotation:
“Dulce et decorum est . . .” Horace, Odes Book 3, No.2, 1.13

Nan Smith;
Ethel and Neville Armstrong, Whickham and District L.H.S.;
Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale;
C. Sanders;
Janet Brown;
D.L.I. Museum;
John and Mavis Dixon;
James Pasby;
Dorothy Hall;
Doreen Morton

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