Memorial

Cross 1914-18 Roadside

Scremerston

Memorial Name: Cross 1914-18 Roadside (S5.01)

NEWMP Ref No.: S5.01

Parish: Scremerston

Original Location:

Roadside, a few yards along the road south of St. Peter’s Parish Church.

Which War:

1914-18

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

Unveiled 8th May 1920 by Lord Joicey.

Materials Used:

Aberdeen granite

Who Commissioned:

War Memorial Committee

How Money was Raised:

Public subscription; land donated by Lords of Admiralty

Ownership and Maintenance: Ownership is uncertain, maintenance is by local residents.

Inscription:

To
the Revered Memory
of
the men of Scremerston
who fell in the Great War
1914-1918.

A last tribute of pride and sorrow.
“They died as men were called upon to die
Fighting for God and Right and Liberty
and such a death is immortality.”

Memorial Description:

Cross of Runic type, approx. 15 feet high (4.6m) in total.

The tapering shaft of the cross is about 10 feet high, the main pedestal about 4 feet high and resting on a platform about 12 inches high (3m x 1.2m x 30cms).

The letters are lead affixed to the monument, and painted black.

All letters are elongated capitals, with the exception of the words “To the Revered memory of” which are ornate.

The names appear in a single column on the shaft of the cross, and the dedication is placed on the front face of the pedestal.

The whole monument is set in a concreted area, backed by a low fence, and a narrow flower bed.

In front are wrought iron gates painted black, which bear the words “British” and “Legion” and the dates 1914 and 1945 as part of the design.

Names:

14 names, ranks and regiments.
See transcript.

External Links:

Historic England Listing

2/25… – Royal British Legion North Northumberland | Facebook

Sources:

Photos: J. Brown; P. Thirkell; T. Harding; Dorothy Hall Post Card: George Nairn

Alnwick & County Gazette
15/05/1920 reports unveiling.

Berwick Journal
10/04/1919 reports proposals;
07/08/1919 reports fund raising so far for runic cross design;
18/09/1919 reports progress;
29/04/1920 reports proposed unveiling on May 8th;
13/05/1920 reports unveiling.

Illustrated Chronicle
10/05/1920 reports opening with photos.

Martin’s Newspaper
15/05/1920 reports unveiling.

Source of quotation
“They died as men were called upon to die . . .” Variation of “They died the noblest death a man may die /fighting for God and Right and Liberty / and such a death is Immortality. From the poem “To You Who Have Lost” by John Oxenham.