Memorial

Sarcophagus 1914-18 1939-45 St. Joseph R.C.

Murton

Memorial Name: Sarcophagus 1914-18 1939-45 St. Joseph R.C. (M47.04)

NEWMP Ref No.: M47.04

Parish: Murton

Original Location:

In St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Churchyard

Present Location:

This was formerly at the south end of the church, below a crucifix.

It is now at the entrance to the graveyard.

Which War:

a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45

Materials Used:

Stone

Inscription:

They died for home and freedom.
Greater love hath no man.
May they rest in peace.

Memorial Description:

Sarcophagus, with stone sides and flat top 49 inches high x 79 inches wide (124cms x 201cms).

The names are borne in a sunken panel on the front 30½ inches high x 49 inches wide (77cms x 124cms)

At centre top is a cross between the dates of 1914 and 1918.

The names are listed in three columns, incised using sans serif capitals throughout and blackened.

Names:

a & b.
There are 35 names in all, it is difficult to see which relate to which war.
See transcript.

Notes:

1. The original 1899 church was demolished to make way for a new building in 1964.

2. An old photograph shows Mary McPartland posed beside the memorial at her Confirmation service.

Sources:

Photos: John Maughan; Dorothy Hall

Pit Boy: Memories of a life in Murton during the 1930s and 1940s; P.J. McPartland; The People’s History; 2005; ISBN 1 902537 90 9 has photo of original memorial (page 65); in the chapter called “The War” it also has some details of Cpl. Joe Slater, the author’s uncle, killed in Burma May 28th 1944.

Sources of quotations:
“Greater love than this no man hath ” Based on St. John 15 v 13;
“May they rest in peace” Mass for the Dead