Plaque Fallen 1914-18 Presbyterian

Presbyterian Church.

In the north transept.

1914-18

Unveiled December 1920 by Mr. J.L. Twaddell, J.P., Monkseaton, who designed it.

Sicilian veined marble pattress with bronze scroll.

Mr. J.L. Twaddell, J.P.,

Plaque, approx. 48 inches high, (1.22m) bearing a bronze scroll in the style of a Roll of Honour, on which names are incised.

1. The first lesson was read by Lieut. W.E. Meikle, M.C., D.L.I., two of whose brothers are among those commemorated.

2. Of those named, six died in hospital, and two were in the Royal Navy.

3. “Some interesting figures were quoted by the Rev. R. Hill Thornton, minister of the Presbyterian Church at Whitley Bay, when presiding at the opening of a sale of work. As to the share of the war work by members of the congregation, he said there were serving in France and Salonika 34 men, and 40 were training at home or in home hospitals.
Four had given up their lives for their country.
Of the total helping their country, 16 were officers and 15 non-commissioned officers, and 18 were heads of families.
Twenty of these had been wounded or invalided.
There were also 7 men in the Navy and transport service, while 6 ladies had gone to be nurses, and 5 or 6 were working on munitions.
The congregation was peculiarly strong in men who were working on the building of warships and the making of guns, the number being 56.
These particulars go to show that the Whitley Bay Presbyterians are playing no insignificant part in the nation’s efforts to see right prevail over might.”

Newcastle Daily Chronicle
15/12/1916 gives the report in Note 3 above.

Whitley Bay Observer
17/12/1920 reports unveiling.

Dorothy Hall

Angela Conroy is researching the WW1 names on this memorial

Contact: 2014@newmp.org.uk