Memorial

Pulpit 1914-18 St. Thomas of Canterbury R.C.

Wolsingham

Memorial Name: Pulpit 1914-18 St. Thomas of Canterbury R.C. (W128.01)

NEWMP Ref No.: W128.01

Parish: Wolsingham

Original Location:

St. Thomas of Canterbury Roman Catholic Church, Rectory Lane, Wolsingham DL13 3AG

Which War:

1914-18

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

Unveiled 29th April 1923 by Mr. J.E. Rogerson, M.P.; blessed by Rev. Father O’Donoghue of Blackhill.

Materials Used:

Wolsingham oak pulpit; 2 brass plaques on wood pattress.

Who Commissioned:

The Congregation.

Present Condition: This has been cut down to form a lectern.

Sculptor, Artist or Designer:

Mr. John Dobinson of Dobinson’s Yard, Wolsingham, an ex-service man.

Ownership and Maintenance: St. Thomas of Canterbury Church

Inscription:

To the memory of
(names)
who died in the Great War
1914-1918
this pulpit was erected
by the Congregation of
St. Thomas of Canterbury
1921.
R.I.P.

Memorial Description:

Pulpit, 42 inches high x 51 inches wide, (107cms x 130cms) with three sides, in Gothic style with traceried panels.

Originally raised on a narrower foot, following an attack of woodworm, this has been reduced to form a lectern.

On the wall alongside are two plaques, a larger one with smaller one underneath, on a wood pattress with matching traceried top, 38 inches high x 22 inches wide (97cms x 56cms)

The larger plaque bears the names of those who died during the 1914-18 war.

The smaller plaque below lists two who died after the war and are buried in the churchyard.

Lettering is in Roman capitals throughout, with some red initials.

The two plaques were originally attached to the pulpit but when this was reduced in size, the plaques were fixed to the wall nearby.

Names:

7 names and ranks of those who died during the war,
plus two names and ranks who died after the war.
See transcript.

Notes:

1. Three of the remembered casualties are buried in the Churchyard, with CWGC headstones. It appears that the main commemorative panel did not include Privates Cox (19) and Lockey (1921) and later the small plaque bearing their names, in exactly the same style and lettering, was added below the main one.

2. The oak from which the pulpit was created had been felled 25 years before.

Sources:

Photo: John and Mavis Dixon

Darlington & Stockton Times
05/05/1923 reports unveiling.

Durham Chronicle
14/11/1974 carries a short article about Dobinson who made the pulpit with photo in its original form.

The Monumental Brasses of County Durham William Lack, H. Martin Stuchfield and Philip Whittemore 2002 ISBN 095 4327101