Memorial
Cenotaph 1914-18 1939-45 Afghanistan Battle Green
Pelton Fell
Memorial Name: Cenotaph 1914-18 1939-45 Afghanistan Battle Green (P27.01)
NEWMP Ref No.: P27.01
Parish: Pelton Fell
Pelton Fell War Memorial Park
a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45
c. Afghanistan
a. Unveiled Saturday 22nd July 1922 by Sir Horace Plunkett, K.C.V.O., F.R.S., D.C.L., Chairman of Pelton Colliery;
dedicated by Right Rev. Dr. J.N. Quirk, Lord Bishop of Jarrow,
Rededicated on Nov. 11th 2007.
Heworth Sandstone
War Memorial Committee
£6,000 which covered the Cenotaph, gates, bandstand and park.
A Small Grant of £150 was paid by the Friends of War Memorials in 2003 towards restoration.
Public subscription.
Present Condition: Restored 2007.
Cenotaph Mr. A.H. Fennell of Chester le Street.
Stonework erected by Messrs. Alex. Pringle Ltd. of Gateshead.
Contractors were Messrs. Emley and Son, Newcastle.
Ownership and Maintenance: Trustees.
a. Base Plaque:
In glorious memory of those of Pelton Fell and District
who laid down their lives in the Great War
1914 – 1919.
Rear Plaque:
In glorious memory of those of Pelton Fell and District
who laid down their lives in the Great War
1914 – 1919.
b. Upper Plaque:
In memory of those of Pelton Fell & District
who laid down their lives in World War II
1939 – 1945.
c. Front Upper Plaque
In memory of those of Pelton Fell and District
who laid down their lives
Cenotaph “of Renaissance design” approx. 30 feet high x 10 feet wide x 7 feet deep (9.14m x 3.04m x 2.13m).
It is set upon three steps.
Near the top, at front and rear, is a wreath is half relief.
On the front the plaque for 1914-18 is made of bronze, 36 inches high x 96 inches wide (912mm x 2.43m).
Names are listed in four columns, the lettering is raised in casting using Roman capitals.
This is for the names from the first half of the alphabet.
The originals were 27 inches high x 87 inches wide (685mm x 2.20m).
Above it, also on the front is a plaque 24 inches high x 36 inches wide (608mm x 912mm), painted green, for 1939-45.
Letters are painted white in two columns using Roman capitals.
At the rear, the plaque is made of two pieces of polished marble, total width 42 inches high x 96 inches (106m x 2.43m) and is relatively recent.
The names are listed in four columns, incised and gilded, using sans serif capitals, for the end half of the alphabet.
The original was of copper, but was stolen. This one was made by Manpower Services Commission.
The Cenotaph stands within a park laid out with mature trees.
There is a bowling green, tennis courts, a putting green and children’s play area.
a. 135 surnames, initials and ranks.
b. 17 surnames, initials, ranks and regiments.
C. 1 name rank regiment and date
See transcript.
1. The discrepancies in the materials used for the plaques are because of theft. The original copper plaques were stolen and replacements made.
2. In preparation for restoration, an agency was brought in to help provide access for the disabled. Their proposals for mosaics and children’s play facilities in the area of the cenotaph were rejected as being totally inappropriate, as this area is filled with people on Remembrance Day with the band occupying a large area. This particular corner is set aside as being special.
3. On the cenotaph, the plaque at the rear and the plaque for 1939-45 have been replaced in 2007, and the entrance to the park improved.
4. At the official opening, a gilt silver key was presented to Sir Horace Plunkett by Mr. Stephenson, an old employee at the Colliery, as a souvenir.
5. The original idea for the memorial was providing houses for war widows.
Photos: Errol Broomfield; Ron Carson; Dorothy Hall; Old postcard: John Grainger
Chester le Street Chronicle
08/11/1918 reports proposals meeting;
08/08/1919 reports presentations to various serving men with brief CVs.
23/01/1920 reports further presentations. Of 677 men from the village who served, 34 had gained honours.
28/07/1922 reports unveiling
Chester Post
19/05/1983 carries article first published during 1914-18 war re death of Pte. Sydney Oliver.
Consett and Stanley Chronicle
23/07/1922 reports unveiling.
Durham Advertiser
10/11/2007 reports proposed unveiling with an article and some stories behind the names.
Durham Times
09/11/2007 reports research into the stories behind the names on the memorial by Clive Bowery. Also included are photos and stories of Pte. Edward Hope; Pte. John Middlemiss; two Claspers (father and son) killed within a month of each other.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
22/07/1922 reports proposed unveiling this afternoon
Northern Echo
29/06/1969 reports that a £1,500 granite plaque will replace the bronze one stolen earlier in the year.
Stanley and Chester le Street News
03/08/1922 reports unveiling.
Stanley News
05/10/1916 reports death of Pte. Stephenson.
The Journal
09/10/1989 page 7
Memories of Pelton (Rand and Nairn)
Pelton In Old Picture Postcards has a photo of the cenotaph and park gates.
Friends of War Memorials Newsletter No 20 Winter 2003 reports grant towards restoration of £150.
Additional Research Documents
Errol Broomfield;
Ron Carson;
Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale;
Janet Brown;
Dorothy Hall;
C. Sanders;
T. Harding;
John and Mavis Dixon;
Nancy Crampton;
If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk
If you know more about this memorial, please send the details to NEWMP.
PELTON FELL, Battle Green
Front base plaque:
In glorious memory of those of Pelton Fell and District
who laid down their lives in the Great War
1914 – 1919.
Pte. Alderson C. Driver Curle J. Pte. Errington P. Pte. Howes W.
” Batty R. Pte. Curry W. Corpl. Evans W. Cyclist Howey G.
” Bewick T. ” Dargue R. Pte. Fullerton M. Pte. Howey J.
” Bird J. L/Cpl. Davidson J. Sgnlr. Gilder F. ” Hubble J.
” Bland J.S. Pte. Davidson T. Pte. Gooch J.G. Corpl. Hunter G.
” Bradford G.A. ” Dawson T. Corpl. Goodwin E. A.B. Hutchinson H.
” Brown J.R. ” Dickinson J.A. Pte. Gray W.M. Pte. Hutchinson J.
Sapper Budd G. ” Dinning T. ” Griffiths R. L/Cpl. Hutler T.
Sergt. Buffman H.A. ” Dinning J. ” Guire W. Seaman Hutton W.
Pte. Chapman G. ” Dixon W. ” Hearn G.E. Engr. James T.
” Clasper F. ” Dixon W. Corpl. Henderson W. Pte. Johnson D.A.
” Clasper J. ” Dobson J. Pte. Hogg W. A.B. Kay E.
” Collins L. Ldg.Smn.Donkin G. ” Hope E. Pte. Lambert J.
Gunner Curle C. ” Dyson J. ” Hope J. ” Laverick W.
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Rear base plaque
In glorious memory of those of Pelton Fell and District
who laid down their lives in the Great War
1914 – 1919.
Bell Mary Ann Pte. Moffitt R.W. Gunner Sands J. L/Cpl. Thompson R.T.
Pte. Lawson R.F. Pte. Morson W.E. Pte. Selkirk P. Seaman Trotter R.
Pte. Ledger W. Pte. Morton J. Sergt. Sheldrake W. Sergt. Turnbull H.
Pte. Leighton F. Gunner Muncaster R. Pte. Sillett H. Pte. Turnbull L.
Sergt. Lennox R. Cyclist Oliver S.A. L/Cpl. Skillcorn J. Pte. Tweddle T.W.
Pte. Little G.E. Sergt. Parker M.W. Pte. Smiles G.W. Pte. Vickers T.T.
A.B. Little J. Pte. Patterson E. Pte. Smith H. Pte. Walton T.
Sapper Longstaffe T. Pte. Phillipson H.L. Pte. Sneller J.W. Pte. Wardle J.
Pte. Lonsdale A.S. Sergt. Pickering J.H. Pte. Southwick J. Sergt. Wardle T.
Farrier Lowery C.D. Pte. Proctor F. Pte. Stephenson W. Pte. Wardle T.
Sgnlr. Lynn J. Gunner Radcliffe F. Pte. Stirling J. Pte. Warnes G.
Pte. McDermott E.V. Pte. Reed J. Pte. Stirman G. Pte Welsh T.
Pte. McDermott M.H. Pte. Reed J.S. Pte. Stobbs T. Pte. Welsh W.T.
Pte. McDermott T. L/Cpl. Richardson G. Pte. Stockburn S.E. Pte. White J.W.
Sapper Michael T.W. Pte. Richardson J. Driver Stoker J.J. A.B. Wilson J.H.
Pte. Middlemas J.G. Pte. Richardson J.R. Pte. Strachan H. M.Marine Woodruff L.S.
Pte. Middleton J.G. Pte. Riddell A. Pte. Strachan R. Pte. Wray W.
Pte. Middleton J.W. Sergt. Ritson H.L. Pte. Surtees W. Pte. York M.
Pte. Miller J. Pte. Robson G. Pte. Telfer R. Pte. Young E.
Sapper Miller J. Pte. Rundle J.W. Stoker Thompson F.
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Upper front plaque
1939-45
In memory of those of Pelton Fell & District
who laid down their lives in World War II
1939 – 1945.
Pte. E.J. Bain, A.S.H. Sgt. J. Spedding, R.A.F.
Pte. W. Bell, D.L.I. Sgt. W.M. Stanger, R.A.F.
Sgt. R. Black, D.L.I. A.B. L. Stennett, R.N.
Pte. J. Hall, D.L.I. Pte. J.T. Sutherland, D.L.I.
Sgt. T. King, D.F.M. R.A.F. A.B. J. Thirtle, R.N.
L/Cpl. W. Knox, D.L.I. Pte. R. Thirtle, D.L.I.
Pte. W. Lawrence, D.L.I. C.S.M. S. Wardle, M.M. D.L.I.
Pte. N. Proctor, D.L.I. Cpl. C. Wilson, D.o.Well.
Sgt. T. Robinson R.A.M.C.
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Upper rear plaque
In memory of those of Pelton Fell and District
Who laid down their lives
Sgt. S. Campbell Three Rifles Afghanistan 22 03 2010
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Souvenir Programme
Opening Ceremony
Of the
Pelton Fell and District War Memorial
Saturday July 22 1922
Page 28
Names of those who fell during the Great War
1914-1919
Alderson, C., Private Dickinson, J.A. Private
Batty, R. Private Dinning, T. Private
Bewick, T. Private Dinning, J. Private
Bird, J. Private Dixon, W. Private
Bland, J.S. Private Dixon, W. Private
Bradford, G.A. Private Dobson, J. Private
Brown, J.R. Private Donkin, G. Leading Seaman
Budd, G. Sapper Dyson, J. Private
Chapman, G. Private Errington, P. Private
Clasper, F. Private Evans, W. Corporal
Clasper, J. Private Gilder, F. Signaller
Curle, C. Gunner Gooch, J.G. Private
Curle, J. Driver Griffiths, R. Private
Collins, L. Private Guire, W. Private
Davidson J. Lance-Corporal Hogg, W. Private
Dawson, T Private Hope, E. Private
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Page 29
Hope, J. Private McDermott, E.V. Private
Howes, W. Private McMermot, M. Able-bodied Seaman
Howey, G. Cyclist McDermot, T. Private
Howey, J. Private Michaels, W. Sapper
Hunter, G. Corporal Middleton, J.G. Private
Hutler, T. Lance-Corporal Middleton, W. Private
Hubble, J. Private Miller, J. Private
Hutchinson, T. Private Miller, J. Sapper
Johnson, D.A. Private Moffat, R. Private
Kay, E. Able-bodied Seaman Morson, W.E. Private
Laverick, W. Private Tweedle, T.W. Private
Lawson, R.F. Private Vickers, T.T. Private
Ledger, W. Private Warnes, G. Private
Leighton, F. Private Walton, T. Private
Little, G.E. Private Wardle, W. (Died May 1919) Sergeant
Lennox, R. Sergeant Wardle, T. Private
Longstaffe, T. Sapper Wardle, J. Private
Lowery, C.D. Farrier Welsh, T. Private
Lynn J. (Died 24th Dec. Signaller White, J. Private
1920)
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Page 30
Wilson, J. Able-bodied Seaman Middlemas, J.G. Private
Wray, W. Private Welsh, W.T. Private
York, M Private Ritson, H. Sergeant
Young, E. Private Morton, J. Private
Hutton, W. Seaman Muncaster, R. Gunner
Henderson, W. Corporal Oliver, S. Cyclist
Gray, W. Private Parker, M. Sergeant
Davidson, T. Private Patterson, E. Private
Little, J. Able-bodied Seaman Phillipson, H.L. Private
Fullerton, M. Private Proctor, F. Private
Smiles, G.W. Private Radcliffe, F. Gunner
Turnbull, H. Sergeant Reed, J. Private
Woodruff, S.S. Mercantile Marine Reed, J. Private
Dargue, R. Private Riddell, A. Private
Lambert, J. Private Robson, G. Private
Curry, W. Private Rundle, J. Private
Buffham, H.A. Sergeant Sands, J. Gunner
Pickering, J.H. Sergeant Selkirk, P. Private
Richardson, G. Lance-Cororal Sheldrake, W. Sergeant
Richardson, J. Private Surtees, W. Private
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Page 31
Sillet, H. Private Straughan, R. Private
Skillcorn, J. Lance-Corporal Telfer, R. Private
Smith, H. Private Thompson, F. Stoker
Snellor, J. Private Thompson, R.T. Lance-Corporal
Stephenson, W. Private Trotter, R. Seaman
Stirman, G. Private Turnbull, L. Private
Stirling, J. Private Hearn, G.E. Private
Stobbs, T. Private Goodwin, E. Corporal
Stockbun, S.E. Private James, T. Engineer
Stoker, J.J. Driver Lonsdale, A.S. Rifleman
Southwick, J. Private Richardson, J.R. Private
Straughan, H. Private Hutchinson, H. Able-bodied Seaman
Annie Bell Munition Worker
NamesP27.01
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