Memorial

Cross D.L.I. 1914-18 Bowes Museum

Barnard Castle

Memorial Name: Cross D.L.I. 1914-18 Bowes Museum (B135.24)

NEWMP Ref No.: B135.24

Parish: Barnard Castle

Original Location:

Bowes Museum, Newgate, Barnard Castle DL12 8NP.

In the south west corner of the grounds.

Which War:

1914-18

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

Unveiled 7th July 1921 by the Earl of Durham
Dedicated by the Bishop of Durham.

Materials Used:

Stainton stone for the base, Clipsham stone for the rest.

Who Commissioned:

Officers of 4th D.L.I.

Cost:

Borne by Officers of the Regiment.

Ownership and Maintenance: Handed over to the Trustees of Bowes Museum at the time of the dedication by Brigadier General Sir Herbert Surtees.

Inscription:

To all ranks
of the old
Barnard Castle Militia
Durham L.I.
who died
for their country
Aug. 1914-Nov.1918

Memorial Description:

Crucifix on very slender tall column, total height 22 feet (6.7m).

On it on one side is the figure of Christ crucified and on the other side is the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus.

This stands on an octagonal pedestal, 11 feet (3.35m) in diameter, which stands on three octagonal steps.

A laurel wreath is raised in half relief on the side of the pedestal, inside which is the dedication in Roman capitals throughout.

On the rear is a stone carving of the D.L.I. regimental badge also raised in half relief.

Names:

None

Notes:

1. ” . . . . went off to Barnard Castle where I dedicated a memorial to the Officers, NCOs and men of the 4th Bn. D.L.I. The memorial consisted of a tall crucifix of stone set up in the grounds of the Bowes Museum. Lord Durham unveiled it and made a speech. Then I dedicated it, and it was handed over for custody to the Trustees of the Museum by Brig. Gen. Sir Herbert Surtees. The beauty of the place seen to advantage in the brilliant weather and the function notable. Everything had been carefully arranged and went off without a hitch. Afterwards we had tea with (Col.) Watson.” (Bishop Henson diaries, 1921).

2. Restoration work in 2009 was carried out by P. & S. Coverdale Masonry Contractors Ltd, with a grant from for £1,034 from the War Memorials Trust.

3. Work on the surrounding area was done by Robson Horticulture, Ltd, at the cost of the Town Council.

4. During the late war the battalion had its first headquarters at Forest Hall and afterwards at Seaham Harbour. It was used as a training battalion for sending out officers and men to fill the ranks of the regular battalions and service battalions who were serving overseas . . . over 200 officers and 6.500 other ranks were trained. The quality of the drafts were of such a high standard that they called forth a personal letter of congratulation from Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig . . . (Consett Guardian)

5. The battalion . . . originated from the old Durham Militia which had its HQ at Barnard Castle since 1757, when the Militia Act came into force. Prior to that, according to old records there was a Militia stationed at Barnard Castle from 1615. It was involved in the Napoleonic Wars 1797-1816. Crimean War saw its revival. The old Militia became the 3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry and the 2nd Battalion became the 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. It was involved in South Africa. It became the 4th Special Reserve Battalion Durham Light Infantry.

External Links:

Historic England Listing

Sources:

Photos: Simon Raine; Howard Jemmeson; Dorothy Hall; old postcard Frith B2512: Tony Harding Collection

Auckland and County Chronicle
14/07/1921 reports unveiling;

Consett Guardian
08/07/1921 reports unveiling with notes on the battalion history.

Darlington and Stockton Times (North)
27/11/1920 reports on preparations

Durham County Advertiser
15/07/1921 reports unveiling and handing over of memorial to Trustees.

Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail
08/07/1921 reports unveiling and handing over of memorial to Trustees.

Illustrated Chronicle
08/07/1921 reports unveiling with photos.

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
09/07/1921 reports unveiling.

Northern Echo
08/07/1921 reports unveiling

Teesdale Mercury
05/03/1919; 06/07/1921; 12/07/1919; 13/07/1921; 20/08/1919; 06/07/1921; 13/07/1921

The Barney Crier
No.11 Winter 2010, Town Council Newsletter, reports restoration work done.

Durham County Council
Ref: 505/6/2/156

Barnard Castle in old picture postcards
Vol.2 carries a photo of the dedication. (Alan Wilkinson, European Library, ISBN 90 288 4939 4 / CIP. 1990)

Bishop Henson’s diaries
07/07/1921 reports the handing over to the Trustees.

Sources Link: Consett Guardian 07 08 Fri -1921

Additional Research Documents

Research Acknowledgements:

Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale;
Durham County Council;
Tony Harding;
John and Mavis Dixon;
Howard and Christine Jemmeson;
Alan Sewell;
Dorothy Hall

Research In Progress:

If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk