Memorial

Cross 1914-18 1939-45 St. John the Evangelist Churchyard

Kirk Merrington

Memorial Name: Cross 1914-18 1939-45 St. John the Evangelist Churchyard (K26.01)

NEWMP Ref No.: K26.01

Parish: Kirk Merrington

Original Location:

Church of St. John the Evangelist.

In churchyard.

Which War:

a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

a. Unveiled 23rd July 1921 by Sir Timothy Eden, Bart., of Windlestone Hall;
dedicated by Rev. J. Duncan.

Materials Used:

Granite

How Money was Raised:

Public subscription

Inscription:

a.
To the glory of God
and
in undying memory of
the men
of Merrington
who gave their lives
for their country
in the Great War
1914 – 1918

b.
and the world war
1939-1945.
Their name liveth for evermore.

On side:
Requiescant in pace.
“They died that we might live”

Memorial Description:

Cross on tall tapered column on large pedestal on three steps.

It is set in a gravel bed with stone kerb and is half surrounded by low railings.

The dedication is carried on the front face of the main pedestal.

The names are listed in two columns for 1914-18 on one side face, and in one column on another face for 1939-45.

All lettering is carved and inserted with lead, using sans serif capitals throughout.

Names:

a. 28 surnames and initials.
b. 7 surnames and initials.
See transcript.

External Links:

Historic England Listing

Sources:

Photos: Simon Raine; John and Mavis Dixon; Dorothy Hall; old postcard: George Nairn

Auckland and County Chronicle
28/07/1921.

Durham County Advertiser
22/07/1921 briefly reports unveiling.

Northern Echo
25/07/1921 brief report of unveiling.

Sources of quotations:
“Their name liveth for evermore” : Apocrypha Ecclesiasticus 44;
“Requiescant in pace” (‘May they rest in peace’) : Latin Mass for the Dead;
“They died that we might live” : Hail! and Farewell! John Oxenham

Sources Link: Northern Echo 07 25 Mon -1921

Additional Research Documents

Research Acknowledgements:

Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale;
C. Sanders;
John & Mavis Dixon;
George Nairn;
Dorothy Hall

Research In Progress:

Jim and John Grainger are creating an archive of information about each person named on the local War Memorials and would like to hear from anyone with stories, photographs or memorabilia.

Contact:- monreith@aol.com