Plaque 1914-18 1939-45 Post Office

Post Office, Battle Hill.

Sorting Office on Bridge End Industrial Estate.

See Note 1 below.

a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45

Unveiled 21st May 1922 by Mr. E.B. Smith, former postmaster at Hexham;
dedicated by Rev. J.V.C. Farquhar, Rector of Hexham.

Brass

Staff at Head post office and sub post offices.

Edward H. Thew, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Hexham Post Office

In honoured memory of those
connected with this Postal District
who made the Supreme Sacrifice
in the Great War, 1914-1919
and the World War, 1939-1945.
(Names)

Plaque, 27 inches high x 24 inches wide (68cms x 61cms) and with rounded  centre top.

The words “Hexham Post Office” are in an arc to fit inside the rounded top, in plain capitals and crossed flags, one of which is the Union flag.

There is a border patterned with Tudor roses and leaves, with a boss in a square in each corner.

The names are listed in two columns.

The lettering is in black Roman capitals.

1. This was originally in the Post Office in Market Street opposite St. Wilfrid’s Gateway (now Hadrian House). It was moved to the Post Office on Battle Hill when it was opened in 1963. When this closed in 1995 and removed to Robbs store in Priestpopple the memorial was removed to the Post Office public enquiry counter to the rear of the earlier public counter. When the Post Office Sorting Office in the Battle Hill building was closed in November 1999 and moved to Bridge End Industrial Estate, the memorial was moved to the public enquiry counter there.

2. From the Hexham & District Post office 54 men volunteered, of whom one third were killed.

3. The original plaque for 1914-18 was of brass on oak.

Photos: C.N. Dallison

Hexham Courant
16/05/1997 feature “75 years ago” reports unveiling.

Hexham Weekly News
26/05/1922 reports unveiling.

Newcastle Daily Chronicle
22/05/1922 reports unveiling.

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
27/05/1922 reports unveiling.

C.N. Dallison;
Dorothy Hall

Alan Grint has researched the names on the Hexham memorials in his book The Faith and Fire Within, 2006, Ergo Press ISBN 0955275814

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