Memorial Details
Memorial
Cross 1914-18 1939-45 Guide Post
Reference
C36.02
Place
CHOPPINGTON
Map ref
NZ 253850
Original Location
“In a prominent position in Guide Post village, by the side of the main road”. At the corner near the Choppington Clinic.
Present Location
The memorial was moved to allow for road widening. from the corner of the Guide Post Choppington Road to Morpeth Road at the top of Sheepwash Avenue.
Which war
a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45
b. 1939-45
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
a. Unveiled 2nd July 1921 by Mr. William Short of Monkseaton; dedicated by Rev. J. Burdon.
b. Unveiled and re-dedicated 19/10/1952. Unveiled by Mr T.H. Cruddis of Guide Post dedicated by Rev George H. Earle
b. Unveiled and re-dedicated 19/10/1952. Unveiled by Mr T.H. Cruddis of Guide Post dedicated by Rev George H. Earle
Memorial Description
Cross on a pedestal "of cross and crown design". The whole monument stands about 22 feet high. The cross is about 3 feet high, standing on a shaft 6 feet high. The main square stone which bears the inscription is about 4 feet high by 2 feet wide. That stone has a splayed pedestal below it which also bears some names. The sandstone base is about 4 feet wide. The whole sits on three concrete steps, which suggest that the cross has been moved. The names from 1914-18 are on the main stone in the middle, while those of 1939-45 are on the sloping stone which lies beneath this and on top of the main base support. The letters are in sans serif capitals through.
Materials used
Red sandstone throughout from Doddington Quarries
Inscription
They lived and died like Britons
For King and Country
Erected / in proud and grateful / remembrance of the men / connected with / Guide Post, Choppington / who laid down their lives / in the Great War / and whose names are / inscribed hereon / 1914 - 1919 / 1939 - 1945
For King and Country
Erected / in proud and grateful / remembrance of the men / connected with / Guide Post, Choppington / who laid down their lives / in the Great War / and whose names are / inscribed hereon / 1914 - 1919 / 1939 - 1945
Names
Who commissioned
Choppington & District Soldiers’ and Sailors’ War Memorial Fund.
Cost
£230. (Builder W. Robertson £191/15/-; R. Gibson, monumental sculptor, £12/17/4d; Swinney Bros Ltd, paling, £10/10/-; Total £215/2/4d. the balance to be kept in the bank against repair bills.
How money was raised
Public subscription. The site was given by Mr. William Short of Epworth House, Choppington.
Present condition
Fair
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
Designed by Mr. Maughan; Erected by Mr. Walter Robertson, Contractor, Guide Post. Inscriptions done by Mr. Gibson of Newbiggin. Painting of railings at the base of the monument painted by Mr. Dickenson.
Ownership and maintenance
Wansbeck District Council.
Notes
1. Information received suggested that a photograph showing the cross in its original position was in the hands of the butcher at the roundabout at Guide Post. However, the man in question has died since, and his widow is not sure where the photograph is now.
2. It is not yet clear whether the William Short of Monkseaton who unveiled the Cross and the William Short of Choppington who gave the site are the same person.
3. “Had it not been for the coal stoppage the £230 would have been realised, but under the circumstances £216 9s 8d was raised, leaving a deficit of £13.10s 4d.”
2. It is not yet clear whether the William Short of Monkseaton who unveiled the Cross and the William Short of Choppington who gave the site are the same person.
3. “Had it not been for the coal stoppage the £230 would have been realised, but under the circumstances £216 9s 8d was raised, leaving a deficit of £13.10s 4d.”
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: P. Thirkell; Janet Brown
Shields Daily News 04/07/1921 carries brief report of unveiling.
Morpeth Herald 11/04/1919 reports fund raising; 07/11/1919 reports fund raising football match; 05/11/1920 carries an appeal for funds, and states the donation of the site; 25/02/1921 reports subscribers to the fund; 25/03/1921 reports fund raising; 08/07/1921 reports unveiling; 21/03/1952 reports meeting; 23/05/1952 advertises for Tenders; 12/09/1952 removing taking place; 01/09/1922 reports final costings. 10/10/1952 gives notice of unveiling; 31/10/1952 reports unveiling. (Available on The British Newspaper Archive)
Alnwick & County Gazette 21/08/1920 reports donation of site by Mr. Short.
Newcastle Daily Journal 19/08/1920 reports donation of land, and memorial to cost £300.
Illustrated Chronicle 05/07/1921 carries photos of unveiling.
North Mail 19/08/1920 mentions briefly that Mr. Short has given the site.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 09/07/1921 reports unveiling.
Blyth News 04/07/1921 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle 04/07/1921 reports unveiling.
Shields Daily News 04/07/1921 carries brief report of unveiling.
Morpeth Herald 11/04/1919 reports fund raising; 07/11/1919 reports fund raising football match; 05/11/1920 carries an appeal for funds, and states the donation of the site; 25/02/1921 reports subscribers to the fund; 25/03/1921 reports fund raising; 08/07/1921 reports unveiling; 21/03/1952 reports meeting; 23/05/1952 advertises for Tenders; 12/09/1952 removing taking place; 01/09/1922 reports final costings. 10/10/1952 gives notice of unveiling; 31/10/1952 reports unveiling. (Available on The British Newspaper Archive)
Alnwick & County Gazette 21/08/1920 reports donation of site by Mr. Short.
Newcastle Daily Journal 19/08/1920 reports donation of land, and memorial to cost £300.
Illustrated Chronicle 05/07/1921 carries photos of unveiling.
North Mail 19/08/1920 mentions briefly that Mr. Short has given the site.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 09/07/1921 reports unveiling.
Blyth News 04/07/1921 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle 04/07/1921 reports unveiling.
External web link
Links to Source Material :
Research acknowledgements
Janet Brown; the late R.W. Gould; Wansbeck District Council; Michael Newrick; Dorothy Hall
Research In Progress
If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk
Cross 1914-18 1939-45 Guide Post (C36.02)
South side
They lived and died like Britons
For King and Country
Erected
in proud and grateful
remembrance of the men
connected with
Guide Post, Choppington
who laid down their lives
in the Great War
and whose names are
inscribed hereon
1914-1919
1939-1945
-----------------------------------------------
South side 1939-45
Pte. E.Y. Adamson Fus. J.G. Parker
Sgt. A.J. Crammond " N. Redpath
Pte. T.R. Johnson Sgt. H. Stanton
Tpr. W.C. Jordan F.Sgt. S. Stuart
Pte. L. Lynn. L.Sgt. J.G. Whitfield
Sgt. L. Joisce.
-----------------------------------------------
South side 1914-18
Pte. R. Fish Pte. J. Hall
Sgt. J. Graham " W.B. Johnson, MM
Pte. R.W. Golden " J. Jameson, MM
" H.H. Golden " J. Lamb
Bde. G.R. Hawkins " T. Leece
Pte. J.W. Hetherington O.S. H.O. Moore
" R. Halcrow Pte A.E. Murray
-----------------------------------------------------------
West Side 1914-1918 East side 1914-1918
Pte. J. Auld, MM Pte. H. Martin
" A.S. Adamson " T. Maxwell
" F. Baker " J. Middleton
" W. Brown " J. McCarthey
" W.R. Barnett " T.W. Mossman
L.Cpl. J. Black Sgt. J.A. Patterson
" D. Bacon Pte. J. Pendrich
" T.W.M. Battensby " D. Porter
L.Cpl. G. Barnfather L.Cpl. R. Robson
Sgt. Major T. Chrisp, MM Pte. H.C. Robson
Pte. T. Curry " J. Robson
" H.C. Clark " J.R. Robson
" J.H. Coppin " J. Reed
" C.W. Crame " H.M. Seymour
Cpl. W. Darling " J.W. Ternent
AB. J.J. Dickinson " E. Thompson
Pte. J. Dickinson " J. Thompson
" R. Dodds " R. Wood
" J. Fraser " P. White
Pte. A. Ford " W. Watson
-----------------------------------------------------------
West side, 1939-1945 East side, 1939-1945
Pte. W. Brown Pte. P.S. Winlow
" H. Price " J. Turner
" E.F. Sherrard
NamesC36.02
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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