Memorial

Cross 1914-18 1939-45 Iraq Churchyard

Stanhope

Memorial Name: Cross 1914-18 1939-45 Iraq Churchyard (S134.01)

NEWMP Ref No.: S134.01

Parish: Stanhope

Original Location:

St. Thomas’ Church, Church Lane.

In churchyard. In southern wall facing the market place.

Which War:

a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45
c. Iraq 2003

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

a. Unveiled May 1922 by Dr. Gray.
Dedicated by Rev. C.J. Shebbeare, Rector.

Materials Used:

Stone

Cost:

£300

How Money was Raised:

Public subscription

Inscription:

a.
To the glory of God, and in memory of
those from the ecclesiastical parish of Stanhope
who gave their lives in the Great war
1914-1918.
Erected by public subscription
b.
1939-1945
Let us also remember.
c.
Iraq 2003.

Memorial Description:

Cross on square pedestal resting on two steps, set into the churchyard wall, total height 12 feet (3.7m),

The cross is decorated round the cross piece.

The dedication is carried on the front of the pedestal on a raised panel running horizontally.

Below this, the names are listed in a single column on each of two vertical raised panels.

The lettering is in raised sans serif capitals.

Below these, resting on the bottom step, is a raised flat stone bearing the dedication and names for 1939-45.

To this has been added one name from Iraq 2003.

Names:

a. 33 surnames, initials and regiments
b. 14 surnames, initials and regiments.
c. 1 name.
See transcript.

Notes:

1. The space in the wall for the cross originally had a gate and was fenced with railings.

2. Dr. John Gray of Stanhope, who performed the unveiling, commanded the Stanhope detachment of the 6th D.L.I. when war broke out, and was subsequently Lieutenant Colonel in the R.A.M.C.

3. There was a suggestion that a marble or granite memorial should be placed on a piece of high ground at the top of the cemetery between the Church and the Nonconformist Church.

External Links:

Historic England Listing

Sources:

Photos: John and Mavis Dixon, Simon Raine; Dorothy Hall; Glynis Gawley;
old postcard Frith SNE 16: Tony Harding

Auckland and County Chronicle
15/04/1920 reports proposed site suggestion in Note 3 above;
18/05/1922 reports unveiling.

Consett Guardian
19/05/1922 reports unveiling.

Darlington and Stockton Times
20/05/1922 reports unveiling.

Illustrated Chronicle
15/05/1922 reports unveiling;
18/05/1922 carries photo of cross.

Newcastle Daily Chronicle
15/05/1922 reports unveiling

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
20/05/1922 reports unveiling.

Durham Record Office
Photographs EP/St 299-301;
service of dedication of 1939-45 memorial EP/St 2/251

Diocese of Durham
Faculty number 1052, issued 14/07/1922

Sources Link: Darlington and Stockton Times (North) 05 20 Sat -1922

Sources Link: Consett Guardian 05 19 Fri -1922

Additional Research Documents

Research Acknowledgements:

Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale;
John and Mavis Dixon;
Durham County Council;
Tony Harding;
George Nairn;
Dorothy Hall;
Ken Heatherington;
Glynis Gawley