Memorial

Trees 1939-45 Grammar School

Wolsingham

Memorial Name: Trees 1939-45 Grammar School (W128.09)

NEWMP Ref No.: W128.09

Parish: Wolsingham

Original Location:

Wolsingham Grammar School, along northern edge of playing field. Now called Wolsingham School. DL13 3DH. NZ 06879 37401

Present Location:

The school is now a Community College.

Which War:

1939-45

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

Dedicated by the Bishop of Durham on November 11th 1998; rededicated 11th November 2009

Materials Used:

Bronze coloured plaque.

Who Commissioned:

School

How Money was Raised:

Staff and pupils.

Present Condition: See notes below

Ownership and Maintenance: Wolsingham Community College/Durham County Education Committee.

Inscription:

(Name) / Killed in action / W.W.2

Memorial Description:

Oak trees.

There is a row of 40 saplings, one for each of the former pupils killed.

In front of each is a plaque approx. 3 inches (76mm) high x 5 inches (126mm) wide on a stake.

Lettering is in Roman upper case for the name and lower case for the rest.

Names:

40 full names.
See transcript.

Notes:

1. The saplings were grown from acorns taken from the 1914-18 oaks by young science students.

2. Several of the saplings appear to have died, and in one case – Allanson – the plaque is placed in front of an empty space, while there is a sapling with no plaque to the left. The names have been counted and match the total on the 1939-1945 Memorial in the School Hall – reference number W128.03.

3. An individual brass plaque was fixed to the fence beside the sapling when planted.

Sources:

Photo: John and Mavis Dixon

The Response The occasional magazine of the Northumberland and Durham Branch of the Western Front Association No.7 (new series) bears an article telling the story.

Northern Echo
12/11/2009 reports rededication.

A History of Wolsingham Grammar School, 1997, Anita Atkinson carries brief report.

Additional Research Documents

Research Acknowledgements:

Jim Winter,
John and Mavis Dixon;
Alan Vickers;
Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale

Research In Progress:

Ken Heatherington has researched the names on the local memorials. His research is available at Weardale Museum and High House Chapel, Ireshopeburn Co Durham DL13 1HD. www.weardalemuseum.org.uk Opening Hours 2pm – 5pm, Easter and Bank Holidays, May, June, July, Sept, and October (Wednesday to Sunday inclusive). Every afternoon in August. Contact ken.heatherington@btinternet.com

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Names Documents:

WOLSINGHAM Wolsingham School

KENNETH ALLANSON GEORGE GRAHAM JOHN PROUD