Memorial Details
Memorial
Cross 1914-18 1939-45 Roadside
Reference
W73.02
Place
WYLAM
Map ref
NZ 119646
Original Location
North end of Wylam bridge. War Memorial Green, Stephenson Terrace / Main Road.
Present Location
Memorial green was originally enclosed by railings, which were removed during 1939-45.
Which war
a. 1914-1918
b. 1939-1945
b. 1939-1945
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
a. Unveiled 10th March 1923 by C.J.W. Blackett, Lord of the Manor; dedicated by Rev. H.H. Barff
Memorial Description
Cross of Gothic type, hexagonal, on tall octagonal pedestal, total height 9m. The whole stands on a stepped base 4m in diameter.
Bronze plaques each 91cm high x 51cm wide on three sides of the main pedestal bear the inscriptions, Each plaque has a raised border of string pattern, and raised lettering. The plaque bearing the dedication has a wreath in half relief at the bottom.
All lettering is in elongated Roman capitals, apart from the Scripture quotation, which is in sans serif capitals.
Bronze plaques each 91cm high x 51cm wide on three sides of the main pedestal bear the inscriptions, Each plaque has a raised border of string pattern, and raised lettering. The plaque bearing the dedication has a wreath in half relief at the bottom.
All lettering is in elongated Roman capitals, apart from the Scripture quotation, which is in sans serif capitals.
Materials used
Cross of Windy Nook stone on steps of Heworth stone encircled by York flagstones.
Inscription
Erected by / the people of / Wylam / in grateful memory / of those who / gave their lives / in the Great War / 1914-1918
"They were a wall unto us / both by night and day." / I.Sam.xxv.16.
"They were a wall unto us / both by night and day." / I.Sam.xxv.16.
Names
Who commissioned
Wylam War Memorial Committee
Cost
Estimated £700.
How money was raised
Public subscription
Present condition
Good
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
W. Dixon and Sons, Newcastle.
Ownership and maintenance
Formally handed over to Wylam Parish Council at the unveiling.
Notes
1. Gold medals were presented to the families of the fallen, and also to the soldiers and sailors who returned, names are given.
2. This was the site chosen by the people, but rejected by the Squire. However, after his death, his son acceded to the public's wish and gifted the site to the parish council.
3. Sir James Knott offered to provide the memorial, but this was turned down by the villagers who wanted to provide it themselves.
4. Photocopies of the unveiling ceremony were donated from the Philip R.B. Brooks Collection.
5. At a meeting called in March 1919, the proposal for a war memorial was discussed, and a letter was read from Colonel Blackett suggesting the movement was premature as the war was not yet over. It was agreed to set up a war memorial committee to discuss the matter.
6. “An average of one in every six of our little community had offered themselves for the defence of our liberties. Fifteen per cent of those were now missing, and it was in honour of their memory that we assembled that day before this memorial.”
7. James Leadbitter Knott –see Every Name a Story
Henry Basil Knott see Every Name a Story
Thomas Garbutt Knott see Every Name a Story
2. This was the site chosen by the people, but rejected by the Squire. However, after his death, his son acceded to the public's wish and gifted the site to the parish council.
3. Sir James Knott offered to provide the memorial, but this was turned down by the villagers who wanted to provide it themselves.
4. Photocopies of the unveiling ceremony were donated from the Philip R.B. Brooks Collection.
5. At a meeting called in March 1919, the proposal for a war memorial was discussed, and a letter was read from Colonel Blackett suggesting the movement was premature as the war was not yet over. It was agreed to set up a war memorial committee to discuss the matter.
6. “An average of one in every six of our little community had offered themselves for the defence of our liberties. Fifteen per cent of those were now missing, and it was in honour of their memory that we assembled that day before this memorial.”
7. James Leadbitter Knott –see Every Name a Story
Henry Basil Knott see Every Name a Story
Thomas Garbutt Knott see Every Name a Story
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: P. Thirkell; J. Brown; T. Harding; Alan Wallace; David Petrie; Photo of unveiling 1923: Vincent Smith
Hexham Courant 27/03/1920 reports handing out of medals who returned; 27/11/1920 includes letter of indignation that Col. Blackett will not sell the land for the memorial.
Illustrated Chronicle 26/02/1919 reports Sir James Knott’s offer; 10/10/1922 carries drawing; 12/03/1923 reports unveiling with photos.
Northern Echo 24/02/1923 reports proposed unveiling; 12/03/1923 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 14/10/1922 reports progress; 17/03/1923 reports unveiling.
Blaydon Courier 15/03/1919 reports “too early” decision.
Hexham Weekly News 17/09/1920 reports a letter from Col. Blackett saying that he would not be able to transact any business for at least six months with the War Memorial Committee.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle 26/02/1919 reports proposals; 02/05/1922 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle and North Mail 10/10/1922 reports expected unveiling; 06/03/1923 reports proposed unveiling; 12/03/1923 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Central Library Photo 1930?; article Wylam Globe Winter 1979/80 No. 28 page 2
The Northumbrian Issue 140 June/July tells story of research into the names on the memorial.
Source of quotation:
"They were a wall unto us both by night and day." I.Sam.xxv.16.
Hexham Courant 27/03/1920 reports handing out of medals who returned; 27/11/1920 includes letter of indignation that Col. Blackett will not sell the land for the memorial.
Illustrated Chronicle 26/02/1919 reports Sir James Knott’s offer; 10/10/1922 carries drawing; 12/03/1923 reports unveiling with photos.
Northern Echo 24/02/1923 reports proposed unveiling; 12/03/1923 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 14/10/1922 reports progress; 17/03/1923 reports unveiling.
Blaydon Courier 15/03/1919 reports “too early” decision.
Hexham Weekly News 17/09/1920 reports a letter from Col. Blackett saying that he would not be able to transact any business for at least six months with the War Memorial Committee.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle 26/02/1919 reports proposals; 02/05/1922 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle and North Mail 10/10/1922 reports expected unveiling; 06/03/1923 reports proposed unveiling; 12/03/1923 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Central Library Photo 1930?; article Wylam Globe Winter 1979/80 No. 28 page 2
The Northumbrian Issue 140 June/July tells story of research into the names on the memorial.
Source of quotation:
"They were a wall unto us both by night and day." I.Sam.xxv.16.
External web link
Links to Source Material :
Additional Research documents (click to download)
Research acknowledgements
Prudhoe Local History Society; Philip R.B. Brooks; C.N. Dallison; Paul Graham (Prudhoe LHS); Janet Brown; Dorothy Hall; Alan Wallace; David Petrie; Vincent Smith
Research In Progress
The names for 1914-18 are being researched by Aubrey Smith, Philip Brooks and Roy Koerner.
Contact: aubreywylam@hotmail.co.uk
Contact: aubreywylam@hotmail.co.uk
Cross 1914-18 1939-45 Roadside (W73.02)
WYLAM, Stephenson Terrace.
Panel 1 Panel 2
John Edward Adams
Joseph Forster Appleby
Erected by John Ismay Atkinson
the people of Fred Bean
Wylam William Hall Bradley
in grateful memory William Richmond Clephan
of those who George Cowings
gave their lives Charles Andrew Dodd
in the Great War John Dolan
1914-1918 James Henry Forster
-------- William Forster
Thomas Gelson
"They were a wall unto us Walter Hindley
both by night and by day" Wilfred Hines
1 Sam XXV 16 Frederick Hunter
Jacob Irwin
Frederick Johnson
James Leadbitter Knott
Henry Basil Knott
Frederick Leathard
William Macaulay
--------------------------------------------------------------
Panel 3 Panel 4
Joseph Edward McCarthy 1939-1945
William Francis McKenna Edward Dennis Tootal Barff
Joseph Milburn Joseph Philip Edmondson
John Thomas Nixon Sydney Elliott
Gerald Paget Arthur Herdman
Algernon George Parsons William Armstrong Hind
Joseph Pattinson Harold Hodkinson
Henry Quentin Ridley Wilfred Maddison
George Robson Kenneth Noble
Thomas Rutter John Pearson
Charles Springett Manfred Revell Ternent
Robert Turnbull Lawrence Arthur Williamson
Henry Turnbull
Richard Watson
Alexander White
William Watson Wild
Charles Leyburn Wilkinson
Jack Winder
Frederick Henry Wright
William Wrightson
John William Young
Names W73.02
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