Cross 1914-18 St. Hilda’s churchyard

The Churchyard of the Church of St. Hilda with St. Thomas, Market Place, St. Hilda’s Lane. 40 feet (12m) west of the church tower, South Shields. NE33 1BH. NZ 36098 67068

1914-18

Unveiled 17th November 1921 (St.Hilda’s Day) by Mr. J. Sedeole, senior churchwarden;
dedicated by the Bishop of Durham.

Stancliffe stone

South Shields Parish Council

Estimated £1,000

Public appeal

Designed by J.H. Morton, F.R.I.B.A. (an old member of the Four and Twenty);
sculpted by George Walker Milburn of York.

To the
glory of
God this
cross was
erected in
the year
of Our
Lord 1921,
in
grateful
remembr
ance of
the decla
ration of
peace in
the Great
European
War and
in memory
of those
who fought
and fell
for their
Sovereign
and Empire
by sea land
and air.

Cross of St. Hilda on tall tapering shaft 14 feet high (4.26m) with crucified Christ in half relief.

The monument stands on a shallow plinth, resting on three steps, the total height 22 feet 6 inches (6.85m) (Faculty gives 24 feet, 7.31m).

The dedication is carried down the shaft of the cross, letters formed to stand proud using Roman capitals.

On the back in a shallow niche is carved the figure of St. Hilda holding a model of her church worked in half relief.

The column stands on a substantial base, approached by three steps.

The names are incised on the main pedestal, in two columns on each face, using sans serif capitals throughout.

The whole stands in a railed fenced area with grass round the edges.

An old photo shows further steps leading up to the platform.

1. Archdeacon’s certificate (used for maintenance rather than construction work) 6898, was issued 14/04/1989 for the cleaning of the war memorial under the provisions of the Inner Area Programme in South Tyneside.

2. The design of the cross was based on the Saxon cross of St. Hilda, c.749 A.D.

3. The restoration cost £388, the work done by Peter Cox.

4. A Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers worshipped at this church in 1915.

5. The South Shields Gazette 26/10/1921 describes the memorial as follows:
the base of the cross is divided into three panels bearing emblems of the Passion. On the first panel is the crown of thorns, Lamb and banner (Agnus Dei), three nails, and two dice (“they cast lots for his garments”). On No. 2 panel is the Runic ornament, representing prayer continuous; and on the third panel are three carved Amonites, emblem of St. Hilda. The panels are enclosed with moulded bead. The figure of St. Hilda, holding a small model of a church, is carved in relief on the back of the shaft of the cross.

The South Shields Gazette 17/11/1921 describes it thus:
The expression on the face of the figure is to represent sadness, yet forgiving – “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do”. The background has been arranged with runic twisted stems suggesting “I turned in my anguish while the thorn was fastened in me”.

6. The cross faces east, and is line with the altar and the centre of the west porch.

7. The South Shields Gazette report of the unveiling says that the Bishop of Durham both unveiled and dedicated the memorial. There is no mention of Mr. Sedeole.

8. The sculptor, G.W. Milburn, was paid a total of £880 5 shillings and 7 pence.

Historic England Listing.

Photos: C. Sanders; old postcard 10: Tony Harding

Newcastle Daily Chronicle
10/04/1919 reports proposals;
16/11/1921 reports unveiling tomorrow;
17/11/1921 reports unveiling.

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
24/11/1923 page 7; 24/04/1920

Northern Echo
10/04/1919 reports appeal for funds for the memorial.

Shields Daily News
09/04/1919 reports appeal.

South Shields Gazette
26/10/1921 describes the memorial and gives date of proposed unveiling;
17/11/1921 reports unveiling.

St. Hilda’s Parish Magazines
Jan. 1915 to April 1917 reports names of those missing or wounded;
April 1919 – 1921 report fund raising and progress made.

Durham County Record Office:
Plan and elevation of war memorial by J.H. Morton EP/SS.SH 4/373;
Bill of costs of erecting the memorial EP/SS.SH 4/375 Acc:2333.

Tyne and Wear Archives
Photos of unveiling : photos by J. Cleet.

South Tyneside Library Local Studies Dept.:
photocopies of photographs of the unveiling ceremony in collection of also copies of plans

Diocese of Durham
Faculty 944, issued 21/07/1920

The Arts and Crafts Movement in the North East of England; Barrie and Wendy Armstrong; 2013; Oblong; 9 780957 599215.