Memorial Details
Memorial
Cross 1914-18 St. Hilda churchyard
Reference
S86.020
Place
SOUTH SHIELDS
Map ref
NZ 361670
Original Location
The cross was originally in the South End of the Market Place and was moved into the Churchyard.
Present Location
Church of St. Hilda with St. Thomas, Market Place / St. Hilda’s Lane. 40 feet (12m) west of the church tower.
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Unveiled 17th November 1921 (St.Hilda’s Day) by Mr. J. Sedeole, senior churchwarden; dedicated by the Bishop of Durham.
Memorial Description
Cross of St. Hilda on tall tapering shaft 14 feet high (4.26m) with crucified Christ in half relief. The monument stands on a shallow plinth, resting on three steps, the total height 22 feet 6 inches (6.85m) (Faculty gives 24 feet, 7.31m). The dedication is carried down the shaft of the cross, letters formed to stand proud using Roman capitals.
On the back in a shallow niche is carved the figure of St. Hilda holding a model of her church worked in half relief. The column stands on a substantial base, approached by three steps. The names are incised on the main pedestal, in two columns on each face, using sans serif capitals throughout.
The whole stands in a railed area with grass round the edges. An old photo shows further steps leading up to the platform.
On the back in a shallow niche is carved the figure of St. Hilda holding a model of her church worked in half relief. The column stands on a substantial base, approached by three steps. The names are incised on the main pedestal, in two columns on each face, using sans serif capitals throughout.
The whole stands in a railed area with grass round the edges. An old photo shows further steps leading up to the platform.
Materials used
Stancliffe stone
Inscription
To the / glory of / God this / cross was / erected in / the year / of Our / Lord 1921, / in / grateful / remembr / ance of / the decla / ration of / peace in / the Great / European / War and / in memory / of those / who fought / and fell / for their / Sovereign / and Empire / by sea land / and air.
Names
Who commissioned
Parish Council
Cost
Estimated £1,000
How money was raised
Public appeal
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
Designed by J.H. Morton, F.R.I.B.A. (an old member of the Four and Twenty); sculpted by George Walker Milburn of York.
Ownership and maintenance
South Tyneside Council
Notes
1. Archdeacon’s certificate (used for maintenance rather than construction work) 6898, issued 14/04/1989 for the cleaning of the war memorial (S 86.20) under the provisions of the Inner Area Programme in South Tyneside.
2. The design of the cross was based on the Saxon cross of St. Hilda, c.749 A.D.
3. The restoration cost £388, the work done by Peter Cox.
4. A Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers worshipped at this church in 1915.
5. The South Shields Gazette 26/10/1921 describes the memorial as follows:
“The base of the cross is divided into three panels bearing emblems of the Passion. On the first panel is the crown of thorns, Lamb and banner (Agnus Dei), three nails, and two dice (“they cast lots for his garments”0. On No. 2 panel is the Runic ornament, representing prayer continuous; and on the third panel are three carved Amonites, emblem of St.Hilda. The panels are enclosed with moulded bead. The figure of St.Hilda, holding a small model of a church, is carved in relief on the back of the shaft of the cross.”
The South Shields Gazette 17/11/1921 describes it thus:
“The expression on the face of the figure is to represent sadness, yet forgiving- “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do”. The background has been arranged with runic twisted stems suggesting “I turned in my anguish while the thorn was fastened in me”.
6. The cross faces east, and is line with the altar and the centre of the west porch.
7. The South Shields Gazette report of the unveiling says that the Bishop of Durham both unveiled and dedicated the memorial. There is no mention of Mr. Sedeole.
8. The sculptor, G.W. Milburn, was paid a total of £880 5s 7d. The document in the Durham Record office is listed in the
references below.
2. The design of the cross was based on the Saxon cross of St. Hilda, c.749 A.D.
3. The restoration cost £388, the work done by Peter Cox.
4. A Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers worshipped at this church in 1915.
5. The South Shields Gazette 26/10/1921 describes the memorial as follows:
“The base of the cross is divided into three panels bearing emblems of the Passion. On the first panel is the crown of thorns, Lamb and banner (Agnus Dei), three nails, and two dice (“they cast lots for his garments”0. On No. 2 panel is the Runic ornament, representing prayer continuous; and on the third panel are three carved Amonites, emblem of St.Hilda. The panels are enclosed with moulded bead. The figure of St.Hilda, holding a small model of a church, is carved in relief on the back of the shaft of the cross.”
The South Shields Gazette 17/11/1921 describes it thus:
“The expression on the face of the figure is to represent sadness, yet forgiving- “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do”. The background has been arranged with runic twisted stems suggesting “I turned in my anguish while the thorn was fastened in me”.
6. The cross faces east, and is line with the altar and the centre of the west porch.
7. The South Shields Gazette report of the unveiling says that the Bishop of Durham both unveiled and dedicated the memorial. There is no mention of Mr. Sedeole.
8. The sculptor, G.W. Milburn, was paid a total of £880 5s 7d. The document in the Durham Record office is listed in the
references below.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: C. Sanders; old postcard 10: Tony Harding
South Tyneside Library Local Studies Dept.: photocopies of photographs of the unveiling ceremony in collection of also copies of plans
Diocese of Durham Faculty 944, issued 21/07/1920
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 24/11/1923 page 7; 24/04/1920
Tyne and Wear Archives Photos of unveiling : photos by J. Cleet.
Northern Echo 10/04/1919 reports appeal for funds for the memorial.
St.Hilda’s Parish Magazines Jan. 1915 to April 1917 reports names of those missing or wounded; April 1919 – 1921 report fund raising and progress made.
Shields Daily News 09/04/1919 reports appeal.
South Shields Gazette 26/10/1921 describes the memorial and gives date of proposed unveiling; 17/11/1921 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle 10/04/1919 reports proposals; 16/11/1921 reports unveiling tomorrow; 17/11/1921 reports unveiling.
Durham Record Office: Plan and elevation of war memorial by J.H. Morton EP/SS.SH 4/373; Bill of costs of erecting the memorial EP/SS.SH 4/375 Acc:2333.
The Arts and Crafts Movement in the North East of England; Barrie and Wendy Armstrong; 2013; Oblong; 9 780957 599215.
South Tyneside Library Local Studies Dept.: photocopies of photographs of the unveiling ceremony in collection of also copies of plans
Diocese of Durham Faculty 944, issued 21/07/1920
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 24/11/1923 page 7; 24/04/1920
Tyne and Wear Archives Photos of unveiling : photos by J. Cleet.
Northern Echo 10/04/1919 reports appeal for funds for the memorial.
St.Hilda’s Parish Magazines Jan. 1915 to April 1917 reports names of those missing or wounded; April 1919 – 1921 report fund raising and progress made.
Shields Daily News 09/04/1919 reports appeal.
South Shields Gazette 26/10/1921 describes the memorial and gives date of proposed unveiling; 17/11/1921 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle 10/04/1919 reports proposals; 16/11/1921 reports unveiling tomorrow; 17/11/1921 reports unveiling.
Durham Record Office: Plan and elevation of war memorial by J.H. Morton EP/SS.SH 4/373; Bill of costs of erecting the memorial EP/SS.SH 4/375 Acc:2333.
The Arts and Crafts Movement in the North East of England; Barrie and Wendy Armstrong; 2013; Oblong; 9 780957 599215.
External web link
Links to Source Material :
Additional Research documents (click to download)
Research acknowledgements
The late R.W. Gould; South Tyneside Library Local Studies Dept.; Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale; C. Sanders, John and Mavis Dixon; Tony Harding; James Pasby; George Nairn; Dorothy Hall; Michael Mulhern; Anthony Power
Research In Progress
The names on this memorial are being researched by Peter Hoy.
Contact: peterhoy@hotmail.co.uk
Cross 1914-18 St. Hilda churchyard (S86.020)
SOUTH SHIELDS. St. Hilda's Church, Market Place.
To the
glory of
God this
cross was
erected in
the year
of Our
Lord 1921,
in
grateful
remembr
ance of
the decla
ration of
peace in
the Great
European
War and
in memory
of those
who fought
and fell
for their
Sovereign
and Empire
by sea land
and air.
First side
1914-1919
Charles Allen Gordon Bower, L.Cpl.
Cecil Amos John Edwin Brown
Forster Moore Armstrong, Major James Butchart, Ch.Engr.
Benjamin Arnott John Nelson Butterley
Charles Robert Austwick, 2nd Engr. William Bunn Cannell, Bdr.
Robert Dunn Balmain, Ch.Offr. William Carlin, Bdr.
John George Barker, Sgt. Gordon Morris Carling
Thomas Blanchard, Sgt. Maj. Charles Sutherland Dalziel, 2nd Lieut.
Kenneth William Campbell. John William Gray.
-------------------------------------------------
Second side
Albert Victor Daniels James Hall, Ch.Engr.
Anthony Hails Davidson William Hubert Hall, Lieut.
John Dingle, Lieut. Arthur John Handyside, 2nd Lieut.
Robert Earnshaw, 2nd Engr. Wilfred Anthony Hedworth
Ernest Bristow Farrar, 2nd Lieut. Walter Hodgson
Harold Fenwick, L.Cpl. John Tom Hogg
Charles Gibson William Blakey Hoy
Alfred George Grice William Hughes
Fred Gunn James Humble
James William Hall William Carswell Hunt, Lieut.Col.
Leadley Rowan Wright
Third side
Richard Jennings Frederick Millett
John Patterson Johns, Cpl. James Morgan
John Johnston Thomas Morgan
Samuel Mallett Lake, Sgt. Andrew Napier, Sgt.
John Edward Libberton August Nelson
Charles Lidster. L/Cpl. Joseph William Paterson
Thomas Mercer Lidster Robert Plumley
Gustaf Magnuson Reginald Kerr Pollard
Cristopher Bailey Mason Harry Powell
William Thomas Medley Andrew Armour Ramsay, 2nd Offr.
Adam Angus Manson Thomas Medley
Fourth side
John Lowe Rawlings, Sgt. Charles Attwood Stobart
John Hildreth Reed Lionel Louis C. Tucker, 2nd Lieut.
Thomas Renwick, Sgt. James Mitchell Walker
Charles Robson, 2nd Lieut. Charles Edwin Wardle
George Robson, Lieut. John William Waugh, Sgt.
Alfred Sangster, L.Cpl. Henry Miller Whitfield
Malcolm Shewan Henry Burrell Winlo, Mas.Mar.
George Shotton, Engr. Henry Wright, L.Cpl.
Charles Henry W. Smith Mathias Yates
John Matheson Stanley Hymers, Sgt.
Henry Young Robson William Robert Templeman, L.Cpl.
The name of Wilfred Anthony Hedworth appears to have been altered from
“William”.
The rank of Harold Fenwick appears to have been adjusted from “Lieut” to
“L/Cpl.” It appears as “Lieutenant” in Newcastle Daily
Chronicle 17/11/1921.
Also in the same newspaper edition:
John Patterson Johns appears as John Patterson Jones Cor.
and several names have been omitted from the report:
John George Barker, Sgt.
Kenneth William Campbell.
John William Gray.
Leadley Rowan Wright
Adam Angus Manson
Thomas Medley
Henry Young Robson
William Robert Templeman, L.Cpl.
NameS86.20
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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