Memorial Details
Memorial
Plaque 1914-18 Post Office
Reference
D47.131
Place
DURHAM CITY
Original Location
Durham General Post Office.
On the wall of the Sorting Office in Providence Road.
On the wall of the Sorting Office in Providence Road.
Present Location
Moved 1995 to a new Sorting Office, Carrville Industrial Estate, Belmont
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Unveiled 2nd August 1920 by Mayor Cllr. W.H. Wood; dedicated by Canon Dawson Walker.
Memorial Description
Plaque 3 feet high x 2 feet wide (904mm x 608mm) on oak pattress 4 inches wider all round. The City arms are at the top, with a decorative border of Celtic knotted string work with GPO monograms at the corners. The names are listed in a single column, using mostly Roman upper and lower case with some elaborate lettering for the heading and the quotation.
Materials used
Brass on oak pattress.
Inscription
For King and Country.
This tablet is erected / by the staff of the Durham Postal Area / to perpetuate the memory of / their colleagues who lost their Lives / in the Great War 1914-1919.
At the call of their Country they left all, endured / hardships, faced danger and finally passed out of / the sight of men, by the path of duty giving up their lives / that others might live in freedom.
This tablet is erected / by the staff of the Durham Postal Area / to perpetuate the memory of / their colleagues who lost their Lives / in the Great War 1914-1919.
At the call of their Country they left all, endured / hardships, faced danger and finally passed out of / the sight of men, by the path of duty giving up their lives / that others might live in freedom.
Names
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
W.T. Toulson, engravers, Durham
Notes
1. From Durham and District, 93 staff served. 36 were male sorting clerks, telegraphists etc. and two were females. Thirty postmen went from the head office and 35 from sub-offices. Their places were taken by a temporary force. 15 were killed, one was missing and 11 were wounded. Two obtained honours.
2. Canon Walker commented that most memorials he had seen were in churches and were only seen once a week, and only occasionally by those who did not attend church, whereas this one would be seen by all who visited the post office.
2. Canon Walker commented that most memorials he had seen were in churches and were only seen once a week, and only occasionally by those who did not attend church, whereas this one would be seen by all who visited the post office.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: C. Sanders; James Pasby
Sunderland Daily Echo 3/8/1920 (Available on The British Newspaper Archive)
Northern Echo 3/8/1920 reports unveiling.
Durham Chronicle 30/7/1920 reports proposed unveiling; 6/8/1920 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 7/8/1920 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle 30/7/1920 reports proposed unveiling on Monday;
Source of quotation
“At the call of their country . . .” Quoted from a Certificate signed by King George V and sent to every bereaved family.
Sunderland Daily Echo 3/8/1920 (Available on The British Newspaper Archive)
Northern Echo 3/8/1920 reports unveiling.
Durham Chronicle 30/7/1920 reports proposed unveiling; 6/8/1920 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 7/8/1920 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle 30/7/1920 reports proposed unveiling on Monday;
Source of quotation
“At the call of their country . . .” Quoted from a Certificate signed by King George V and sent to every bereaved family.
External web link
Research acknowledgements
Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale; C. Sanders; George Nairn; Dorothy Hall; James Pasby
Research In Progress
If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk
Plaque 1914-18 Post Office (D47.131)
DURHAM General Post Office.
For King and Country.
This Tablet is erected
by the Staff of the Durham Postal Area
to perpetuate the Memory of
their Colleagues who lost their Lives
in the Great War 1914-1919.
Pte. A. Davison, Cameron Hdrs. Durham
Pte. T. Ewbank, D.L.I. Durham
Spr. S. Hardy, R.E. Signals Durham
Gnr. G.W. Harris, R.F.A. Durham
L/Cpl. C.C. Heron, R.E. Signals Durham
Pte. E.W. Keeble, D.L.I. Durham
Spr. T. Telford, R.E. Signals Durham
Pte. F.E. Wills, D.L.I. Durham
Pte. R. Nicholson, D.L.I. Chester-le-Street
Capt. F. Wilson., D.C.M. 17th Lancers FenceHouses
Pte. J.W. Finch, D.L.I. FenceHouses
Sgt. A. Lavender, R.F.A. FenceHouses
Gnr. J.W. Jackson, R.F.A. Hetton-le-Hole
Pte. A.E. Shepherd, West Yorks. Houghton-le-Spring
Pte. S. Duke, Yorkshire Regt. Lanchester
Pte. L. Clark, Coldstream Gds. Willington
At the call of the Country they left all, endured
Hardships, faced Danger and finally passed out of
sight of Men, by the Path of Duty, giving up their Lives
that others might Live in freedom.
NamesD47.131
You are looking at all the information and the best images we have so far on this memorial. If you can supply more information or better images please get in touch by sending an email to enquiries@newmp.org.uk.
Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
The British Library is preserving this site for the future in the UK Web Archive at www.webarchive.org.uk
Copyright 2013, North East War Memorials Project. Registered Charity No. 1113088
Another Effective Group Website