Memorial Details
Memorial
Memorial 2 V.C.s 1914-18 Primary School
Reference
H106.04
Place
HIGH SPEN
Map ref
NZ 595138
Original Location
On a paved area in front of the school Grounds of High Spen Primary School beside Hugar Road (B6315).
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Unveiled 8th July 2007 by Mr. Nigel Sherlock, Lord Lieutenant, Tyne & Wear. dedicated by Rev. Stephen Hewitt, vicar, St.Patrick’s, High Spen.
Memorial Description
Two slabs, each 2 m 10 cm high x 1 m wide standing in parallel.
On one, made of red metal, the shape of a soldier has been cut out in outline.
The other one is of white stone. On the side facing the soldier is the dedication with names. Lettering is incised using sans serif capitals throughout. Between the words “Lest we forget” and the rest of the inscription is a bronze poppy.
On the back of the slab are handprints placed so that they echo the shape of the soldier, each in its own black irregular shaped sunken panel. One of the handprints contains an outline of a VC cross, another has the DLI badge.
Between the two slabs are two mining tub tracks 2 metres long with three sleepers between.
The whole has been placed in a long bed of gravel.
On one, made of red metal, the shape of a soldier has been cut out in outline.
The other one is of white stone. On the side facing the soldier is the dedication with names. Lettering is incised using sans serif capitals throughout. Between the words “Lest we forget” and the rest of the inscription is a bronze poppy.
On the back of the slab are handprints placed so that they echo the shape of the soldier, each in its own black irregular shaped sunken panel. One of the handprints contains an outline of a VC cross, another has the DLI badge.
Between the two slabs are two mining tub tracks 2 metres long with three sleepers between.
The whole has been placed in a long bed of gravel.
Materials used
Marble? Sandstone?
Inscription
Lest / We / Forget / (Names) / Whose / bravery / saved / ten lives / 1914-1918
Names
Who commissioned
High Spen Community Association
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
Felicity Watts
Notes
1. The tub rails and sleepers are a reminder that both men were miners.
2. The memorial represents the past towards the future.
3. The memorial has been deliberately placed so that at 11 am on 11th November the shadow of the soldier would fall on the pedestal.
4. The Heritage Lottery Fund logo is on the wall nearby.
5. The High Spen Community Association produced a DVD containing 421 images of the unveiling ceremony. Address: c/o 60 Hugar Rd., High Spen. Tel : 01207 545511
6. “Two men from High Spen came back from the war having won the highest award for bravery in battle.
One of them, Tommy Young, a volunteer, returned to the village and the pit after the war and is buried in St.Patrick’s churchyard.
The other, Lance Corporal Dobson, a regular in the Coldstream Guards when the war started, left the regiment after [during] the war and died a pauper in Newcastle in 1935, [not 1941]. He was buried in Ryton Cemetery. A few years ago, in belated recognition of his distinguished war service, his old regiment erected a suitably inscribed stone on his grave”. Quoted from an unknown source. Updated 2016.
2. The memorial represents the past towards the future.
3. The memorial has been deliberately placed so that at 11 am on 11th November the shadow of the soldier would fall on the pedestal.
4. The Heritage Lottery Fund logo is on the wall nearby.
5. The High Spen Community Association produced a DVD containing 421 images of the unveiling ceremony. Address: c/o 60 Hugar Rd., High Spen. Tel : 01207 545511
6. “Two men from High Spen came back from the war having won the highest award for bravery in battle.
One of them, Tommy Young, a volunteer, returned to the village and the pit after the war and is buried in St.Patrick’s churchyard.
The other, Lance Corporal Dobson, a regular in the Coldstream Guards when the war started, left the regiment after [during] the war and died a pauper in Newcastle in 1935, [not 1941]. He was buried in Ryton Cemetery. A few years ago, in belated recognition of his distinguished war service, his old regiment erected a suitably inscribed stone on his grave”. Quoted from an unknown source. Updated 2016.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: Dorothy Hall
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 08/06/1918 carries a photo of Thomas Young and a report of how he won his V.C.
The Complete Victoria Cross: a full chronological record of all holders of Britain's highest award for gallantry; Kevin Brazier, Pen and Sword; 2010; ISBN 1 84884150-7. page 185 is the entry on Private. Dobson; page 120 tells the story of Private Young and states that his real name was Morrell.
High Spen News Spring 2007 carries article about the memorial.
Evening Chronicle 9/05/2000 carries an article on Thomas Young, and the restoration by the D.L.I. of his headstone, which had fallen into disrepair, and tells the story of how he won his V.C.; 30/01/2007 reports raising £32,000; 10/11/2007 reports proposed dedication tomorrow.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 08/06/1918 carries a photo of Thomas Young and a report of how he won his V.C.
The Complete Victoria Cross: a full chronological record of all holders of Britain's highest award for gallantry; Kevin Brazier, Pen and Sword; 2010; ISBN 1 84884150-7. page 185 is the entry on Private. Dobson; page 120 tells the story of Private Young and states that his real name was Morrell.
High Spen News Spring 2007 carries article about the memorial.
Evening Chronicle 9/05/2000 carries an article on Thomas Young, and the restoration by the D.L.I. of his headstone, which had fallen into disrepair, and tells the story of how he won his V.C.; 30/01/2007 reports raising £32,000; 10/11/2007 reports proposed dedication tomorrow.
External web link
Additional Research documents (click to download)
Research acknowledgements
Dorothy Hall; C. Sanders; Kevin Milburn; James Pasby
Research In Progress
If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk
Memorial 2 V.C.s 1914-18 Primary School (H106.04)
HIGH SPEN Primary School.
Lest
We
Forget
L/Cpl. F.W. Dobson V.C.
Coldstream Guards
1886-1935
Pte. T. Young V.C.
Durham Light
Infantry
1895 - 1966
Whose
bravery
saved
ten lives
1914 – 1918
NamesH106.04
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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