Plaque Parish 1914-18 St. Luke

St. Luke’s Church, Claremont Road.

On the outside wall.

Removed to the inner porch following vandalism.

1914-18

Unveiled 15th October 1921 by Major D.L. Brereton, D.S.O.;
dedicated by the Archdeacon of Northumberland, the Ven. C.E. Blackett-Ord.

Re-erected 1990.

Bronze

Under £200

Mr. Thomas Curry, Hanover Square, Newcastle.

Designed by Messrs. Graham & Hill, 6 Eldon Square, Newcastle, Architects.

To the glory of God
and in memory of the
men of this Parish
who gave up their
lives in the Great
War 1914-1918.
(Names)

Plaque 45 inches high x 24 inches wide (114cms x 61cms).

At the top is a laurel wreath enclosing a cross.

There is a plain raised edge.

The names are listed in two columns in raised Roman capitals for the names.

The dedication is an elaborate lettering.

1. “Three years ago, on the evening of St. Luke’s Day (October 18th 1989), the bronze tablet recording the names of the men from the parish of Spital Tongues who had been killed during the Great War was forcibly wrenched from the War Memorial erected in 1921. A few days later, it was discovered by road maintenance men in the undergrowth alongside the Radial Road nearby. It had been so badly damaged and was in a very fragile state, and so, after repairs had been carried out, it was re-mounted and placed in the church porch in time for St. Luke’s Day, 1990”. (From the Order of Service of Dedication of the new War Memorial – see S108.03)

2. “The memorial, built in red brick with stone dressing, takes the form of a buttressed and recessed arch which relieves the expanse of plain brickwork at the east end of the Early English Church. A massive but neat bronze plate inscribed with the names of the fallen has been designed to fit into the recess of the arch. A stone table or sill at the base of this plate has been designed to take tokens of respect in the form of wreaths, etc.” Illustrated Chronicle

4. On re-erection, it was decided not to clean it, but to leave it as it was, since it would detract from its value as a monument. It makes it difficult to read.

Photos: Janet Brown; Spital Tongues Local History Society

Evening Chronicle
02/11/1992 reports dedication of restored tablets

Illustrated Chronicle
15/10/1921 has drawing of memorial to be unveiled later today;
17/10/1921 reports unveiling.

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
22/10/1921 reports unveiling.

Tyne & Wear Archives Ward and Oakley Plans Ref. DTW08 301

Mr. Maughan (Spital Tongues L.H.S.);
A. Greaves;
Janet Brown;
Dorothy Hall;
James Pasby

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