Memorial Details
Memorial
Crucifix and Plaques 1914-18 St. George
Reference
S129.02
Place
SOUTH MOOR
Map ref
NZ 189519
Original Location
St. George Church, Park Road. On the gable end.
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Unveiled 29th November 1919 by Mr. R.W. Cooper, managing director of South Moor Colliery Co., and dedicated by the Bishop of Durham.
Memorial Description
Crucifix set on a stone pedestal. This is set in a tiny garden with a path on either side leading to the plaques on the wall behind.
There are three plaques set in a stone framework. The dedication and poem are set into the centre panel. The names are listed in two staggered columns on each of the two outer panels. All lettering is gilded, the dedication is in elaborate Roman capitals, the names and poem are in sans serif capitals and the poem is italicised.
There are three plaques set in a stone framework. The dedication and poem are set into the centre panel. The names are listed in two staggered columns on each of the two outer panels. All lettering is gilded, the dedication is in elaborate Roman capitals, the names and poem are in sans serif capitals and the poem is italicised.
Materials used
Oak cross, copper figure. Marble panels in Portland stone framework.
Inscription
To the glory of God / and in memory of / the men whose names / are here recorded who / cheerfully gave their / lives for freedom and / the England they loved / so well in the Great War / 1914-1919 / Their relatives / have erected this tablet / and adjoining cross
“Above the graves of heroes / the wooden crosses grow, / who shall no more see Durham, / nor any place they know, / where fell tops face the morning / and great winds blow; / who loving as none other / the land that is their mother, / unfaltering renounced her / because they loved her so” / W.N. Hodgson.
“Above the graves of heroes / the wooden crosses grow, / who shall no more see Durham, / nor any place they know, / where fell tops face the morning / and great winds blow; / who loving as none other / the land that is their mother, / unfaltering renounced her / because they loved her so” / W.N. Hodgson.
Names
Cost
Estimated £200
How money was raised
Public subscription.
Present condition
Crucifix badly damaged in 2005, the Christ figure had gone in 2007 but on a visit in 2016 all had been restored.
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
Calvary design by Mowbray of London.
Notes
1. In the Faculty file, Correspondence from the incumbent stressed the unanimous support from within the Parish for the design and location of the memorial, despite the fact that the majority of casualties commemorated were Non-Conformists or non-church goers. Reference is made to other Parishes where such tolerance and unanimity of view had not been shown and “would cause strife” – this was supported by anecdotal accounts of objections to proposed memorial designs and sitings of which Diocesan staff were aware.
2. Annfield Plain Family History Society has produced a transcript of the monumental inscriptions. Contact John G. Milburn, milburnjohng@yahoo.co.uk
2. Annfield Plain Family History Society has produced a transcript of the monumental inscriptions. Contact John G. Milburn, milburnjohng@yahoo.co.uk
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: Errol Broomfield, Ron Carson; Simon Raine; Dorothy Hall; Ian Finlayson; Old Postcard: George Nairn
Diocese of Durham Faculty 839, issued 19/06/1919
Illustrated Chronicle 29/11/1919 reports unveiling “this afternoon” ; 01/12/1919 reports unveiling with photo.
Northern Echo 17/01/1919 reports proposals and decision; 01/12/1919 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 06/12/1919 reports unveiling with photo
Stanley News 11/08/1921 reports memorial anniversary service.
Consett & Stanley Chronicle 05/12/1919 reports unveiling, but omits the name James Brinton from the list.
Source of quotation
”Above the graves of heroes . . .” Poem by W.N. Hodgson.
Diocese of Durham Faculty 839, issued 19/06/1919
Illustrated Chronicle 29/11/1919 reports unveiling “this afternoon” ; 01/12/1919 reports unveiling with photo.
Northern Echo 17/01/1919 reports proposals and decision; 01/12/1919 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 06/12/1919 reports unveiling with photo
Stanley News 11/08/1921 reports memorial anniversary service.
Consett & Stanley Chronicle 05/12/1919 reports unveiling, but omits the name James Brinton from the list.
Source of quotation
”Above the graves of heroes . . .” Poem by W.N. Hodgson.
External web link
Links to Source Material :
Research acknowledgements
Errol Broomfield and Ron Carson; Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale; John and Mavis Dixon; C. Sanders; Ian Finlayson; Dorothy Hall
Research In Progress
If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk
Crucifix and Plaques 1914-18 St. George (S129.02)
South Moor, St. James’ Church
Centre plaque:
To the Glory of God
and in memory of
the men whose names
are here recorded who
cheerfully gave their
lives for freedom and
the England they loved
so well in the Great War
1914-1919
their relatives
have erected this tablet
and adjoining cross
----------
“Above the graves of heroes
The wooden crosses grow,
Who shall no more see Durham,
Nor any place they know,
Where fell tops face the morning
And great winds blow.
Who loving as none other
The land that is their mother,
Unfaltering renounced her
Because they loved her so.”
W.N. Hodgson
-------------------------------------
Left hand plaque: Right hand plaque:
John G. Appleton Michael Joyce
Robert Armstrong John Lamb
William Armstrong Edmund Kelly
Henry G. Beckham Henry King
Robert H. Bowman Robert Knight
Edmund Brass Emmerson Marley
James Brinton John Marshall
John Brinton Francis Martin
Robert Brown William Monkhouse
Norman Burnage Charles Morton
George S.P. Charlton Jonathan Mosey
James A. Clennell John M. Newby
John W. Collings George Nichol
Alexander Coxon Joseph Norwood
Ernest Davison George T. Pearson
John J. Dickeson William Pinkerton
John G. Dobson Albert Pomeroy
Joseph W. Dodds Thomas H. Proctor
Thomas Down William Proudlock
Levi Dowson James H. Race
James W. Duffy Charles G. Rackham
Michael Duffy George W. Rainbow
Richard Ellis Robert Ratcliffe
Joseph Ellwood John Readman
Thomas R. Emery Henry Robertson
Henry Falgate Thomas Savage
Miles Farrell Arthur Seymour
Wilson Ferry John Shield
Thomas Forster Robert V. Shield
William J. Foster W. Gilbert Simm
Richard Frost John J. Simpson
Joseph T. Fuller James W. Smith
Thomas Gair John W. Smith
Alfred E. Gibson Albion Teasdale
George H. Goodchild Benjamin Thirlaway
Thomas Green Matthew I. Thirlaway
William Green Wylam Thirlaway
Thomas Guy Jonathan Tinnion
William Hall Samuel Ward
Robert Hill John Whitney
William Hill Septimus L. Whitney
Richard Hope Matthew H. Wright
R.J.T. Ingram Johnson
------------------------------------------------------
There are some inconsistencies in the names printed in the
Consett and Stanley Chronicle.
They have “Henry B. Beckham” instead of “Henry G. Beckham”;
“James Brinton” is missing;
“Thomas Brown” instead of “Thomas Down”;
“Michael Duffy” is missing
“John Marshall” is incorrectly followed by “Jno. Marshall”
NamesS129.02
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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