Memorial

Plaque Civil Defence 1939-45 Regent Cinema

South Shields

Memorial Name: Plaque Civil Defence 1939-45 Regent Cinema (S86.034)

NEWMP Ref No.: S86.034

Parish: South Shields

Original Location:

Regent Cinema, 52 Dean Street. (Closed)

Present Location:

This was originally on the outside wall, it was stolen, recovered, and then placed inside the entrance.

Which War:

1939-45

Materials Used:

Steel/bronze

Who Commissioned:

Wardens from Sector D.

Cost:

£1 12s 6d (Unconfirmed)

Ownership and Maintenance: South Tyneside Council

Inscription:

Erected by the wardens of area ‘D’
to the memory of
members of the Civil Defence
who were killed by enemy action
near this spot on
25th May 1943.
Dep. Hd. Wdn. Stanley Sutton,
Sector Ldr. James Slesser,
Warden George Bertram
and P.C. Joseph Armstrong.

Memorial Description:

Plaque, 12 inches high x 18 inches wide (295mm x 460mm).

A central sunken panel has a sunken double border.

The lettering is in raised sans serif capitals.

Names:

4 names and ranks.
See above.

Notes:

1. The Regent Cinema had a fully equipped stage, with fly tower, which was put to good use over the years. It was closed on 15th July 1966 with Cliff Richard in “Summer Holiday”. It was immediately converted into a Mecca Bingo Club, which closed on 14th September 2014. (Cinema Treasures)

2. Because of the on-going re-development of South Shields, the Council have claimed ownership, they have also cleaned and restored the plaque. They are keeping it in storage until a new home can be found (2022).

3. See Stanley Sutton’s Every Name a Story entry

4. See James Slesser’s Every Name a Story entry

5. See George Bertram’s Every Name a Story entry

6. See Joseph Sproat Armstrong’s Every Name a Story entry.

Sources:

Photos: C. Sanders; James Pasby

Humanity and Courage Part I, II, and III; A pictorial record of the Bombing of South Shields. Amy Flagg;
A three set series of soft cover booklets about 9 inches x 5 inches (227mm X 177mm) showing full photos of the bombing of South Shields.