Memorial Details
Memorial
Plaque 1914-18 Memorial Hall
Reference
W125.04
Place
WITTON PARK
Map ref
NZ 172296
Original Location
Witton Park and District War Memorial Institute and Red Triangle Club, known as “The Hut”.
Present Location
Just inside the cemetery gates, to the east of St. Chad's RC Church. There is a plaque affixed to both sides of the stone.
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Unveiled 25th October 1921 by Princess Marie Louise; dedicated by Dean Welldon.
Memorial Description
Plaque set on oak pattress. There is a raised border of stems and flowers. At centre top is a wreath with the dates on either side. The names are listed in five columns. Lettering is in Roman capitals throughout.
Materials used
Bronze plaque on oak pattress.
Inscription
1914 1919 / To the glorious memory of the / men of Witton Park and District who / laid down their lives in the Great War.
Names
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
Herbert Wauthier des F. Osborne Co. Ltd London
Notes
1. There are some discrepancies between the names on the lists in the church (W125.02) and in the hall:
In the church: Greegan, in the hall: Creegan.
In the church: Lyman, in the hall: Lynas.
In the church: York, in the hall: Yorke.
The name Lumley is in the church but not in the hall.
2. 67 poplar trees were to be planted outside the hall, each one representing one man killed. Only half were ever planted, of which none survived. The first – reported to be a lime tree - was planted by Princess Marie Louise on the same occasion as unveiling the plaque, for which she was presented with a spade inscribed with the words “With this spade Her Highness Princess Marie Louise inaugurated the tree-planting in memory of the fallen of Witton Park, 25th October, 1921. Presented by Mrs. Sydney Foster, Bishop Auckland”.
3. Princess Marie Louise was presented with a bouquet by Lavinia Lumley, the daughter of a dead soldier. The Princess “signified her pleasure by kissing the little girl to the delight of all”.
4. The Princess was also given a copy of “The Coming of the Princess, being the Official Souvenir of the Unveiling of Witton Park Memorial 25th October, 1921, by Her Highness Princess Marie Louise” compiled for the occasion by T. Dando.
5. The plaque should have been unveiled at the same time as the hut was officially opened, but was not ready in time.
In the church: Greegan, in the hall: Creegan.
In the church: Lyman, in the hall: Lynas.
In the church: York, in the hall: Yorke.
The name Lumley is in the church but not in the hall.
2. 67 poplar trees were to be planted outside the hall, each one representing one man killed. Only half were ever planted, of which none survived. The first – reported to be a lime tree - was planted by Princess Marie Louise on the same occasion as unveiling the plaque, for which she was presented with a spade inscribed with the words “With this spade Her Highness Princess Marie Louise inaugurated the tree-planting in memory of the fallen of Witton Park, 25th October, 1921. Presented by Mrs. Sydney Foster, Bishop Auckland”.
3. Princess Marie Louise was presented with a bouquet by Lavinia Lumley, the daughter of a dead soldier. The Princess “signified her pleasure by kissing the little girl to the delight of all”.
4. The Princess was also given a copy of “The Coming of the Princess, being the Official Souvenir of the Unveiling of Witton Park Memorial 25th October, 1921, by Her Highness Princess Marie Louise” compiled for the occasion by T. Dando.
5. The plaque should have been unveiled at the same time as the hut was officially opened, but was not ready in time.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: John and Mavis Dixon; James Pasby
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 29/10/1921 reports on Princess Louise’s visit and planting trees.
Evening Despatch 25/10/1921 and 26/10/1921 report unveiling
Darlington and Stockton Times 29/10/1921 reports unveiling.
Illustrated Chronicle 29/08/1921 reports proposed unveiling; 26/10/1921 reports unveiling
Northern Echo 25/10/1921 reports proposed unveiling; 06/12/1920 reports unveiling.
"Witton Park, Forever Paradise”
“Memories of Witton Park”
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 29/10/1921 reports on Princess Louise’s visit and planting trees.
Evening Despatch 25/10/1921 and 26/10/1921 report unveiling
Darlington and Stockton Times 29/10/1921 reports unveiling.
Illustrated Chronicle 29/08/1921 reports proposed unveiling; 26/10/1921 reports unveiling
Northern Echo 25/10/1921 reports proposed unveiling; 06/12/1920 reports unveiling.
"Witton Park, Forever Paradise”
“Memories of Witton Park”
External web link
Links to Source Material :
Research acknowledgements
Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale; John and Mavis Dixon; C. Sanders; Dale Daniel; Gillian Wales; Dorothy Hall
Research In Progress
If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk
Plaque 1914-18 Memorial Hall (W125.04)
WITTON PARK Memorial Hall
1914 1919
To the glorious memory of the
men of Witton Park and District who
laid down their lives in the Great War.
Anderson J. Fairhurst T. Kemp P.V. Narey R. Scott W.
Bell J. Fitzgerald J. Lindsay W. Newcombe J. Selby G.E.
Beniston A.F. Flynn H. Lowes M. Parker J. Simpson J.
Bowes W. Guy H. Lynas R. Plummer E. Swinbank J
Campion J. Guy J. Maddox R. Plummer H. Tague W.
Casson J.G. Gypp G. Mahaffey J.W. Pounder W. Tazey F
Calvert J.T. Haley E. Martindale J.W. Race J.W. Underwood W.
Chadwick J. Hebron J. Martindale T.O. Raine R. Walton N.S.
Conley T.A. Hobson G. Mawson R. Ross A. Walton T.
Creegan P. Hobson W. McGuire J. Ross J. Watson R.L.
Douthwaite G. Howe T. Metcalfe R.T. Ross W. Welbury J.
Douthwaite J.V. Hull J.A. Moore J. Sample J.W. Wilkinson J.W.
Elliott R. Humble J. Moore J.P. Sanders J. Yorke E.
Campion J. Murrow A.
Names W125.04
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