Notes: 1. Shields Daily Gazette (Tuesday 21/09/1920, page 2): printed the following report:
MEMORIAL TO THE BRAVE. Unveiling Ceremony in Queen Street Church.
The members and friends of the Queen Street United Methodist Free Church, South Shields have erected a brass tablet in the church In memory of those who went out from amongst them and to those who fell In the Great War. The inscription on the tablet is as follows: A memorial to the devotion of 103 connected with the church and school who served in the Great War for freedom and truth, 1914-18, and in loving memory of the following who were called High Service: Edmed, W. S.; Gibson, Martin; Hinman, Rbt.; Jary, Robert; Jameson, Thomas; Johnson, Ed.; Lawson, Alfred; Marshall, W.; Metcalf, J. W.; Metcalf, W. A; Wood, David; Nicholson, Rbt.; Payne, Jas. W.; Piggott, Albert; Smith, Arthur; Sullivan, Wm.
The memorial service was conducted by Rev. W. Arthur Todd. The service of praise was most appropriate and included an anthem. “Peace, Perfect Peace,” and solos by Mrs C. Anderson, “God shall wipe away all tears,” and “The Vesper Hymn.”
The unveiling ceremony was performed by Lieut.-Col. Robert Chapman. C.M.G., D.S.O., who gave a touching and earnest address.
The pastor preached on the subject “Does a soldier’s death save him?”
The service was very Impressive and Inspiring and concluded with the singing of “Now Pray we for our Country.” Memorial To The Brave. Source: British Newspaper Archive
2. Built in 1861 at a cost of £520, and seating 700, this chapel stood on the site of the former Salem Baptist Chapel (HER 17656). On the 8th June 1944, it was re-opened as a Merchant Navy Club having been converted for 300 seaman and their families run for no profit by the Seaman’s Society. By the 1950s it labelled ‘Hall’ on the OS map. In the 1970s it was being used by Blundell’s clothing firm as a warehouse. It has since been demolished.
2. The Memorial has been missing for many years, correspondence with the Methodist archivist (now deceased), in 2003 and 2013, said that the Memorial was supposed to be given to another Methodist Church in South Shields, but had doubted if this ever happened.
3. 10th May 2025: IWM were alerted that the memorial is being advertised for sale (as Lot Number 266), in a Military and Aviation History auction held by Dominic Winter Auctions, South Cerney, Cirencester, Gloucestershire. (In the auction house’s photo, the brass memorial appears to be in good condition, and has been modified to form the surface of a low table). 1970s: The Church permanently closed. The plaque was removed prior to its demolition, and moved to an unknown location. 1920: Unveiled in Queen Street United Methodist Church.
4. The Plaque was rededicated on the 6th November 2025 at 11am, hosted by the Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Jay Potts and Audrey Huntley.
5. The South Shields Museum stored this plaque before it was given to the Council for rededication.
