Memorial
Cenotaph 1914-18 1939-45 Korea Gulf Roadside
Birtley Gateshead
Memorial Name: Cenotaph 1914-18 1939-45 Korea Gulf Roadside (B127.01)
NEWMP Ref No.: B127.01
Parish: Birtley Gateshead
On the left (East) hand side of the main road through Birtley going towards Durham on a site called “Constable’s Garth.” DH3 1LH. NZ 27213 55954
a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45
c. Korea, 1951- 53
d. Gulf, 1991
a. Unveiled August 4th 1923 by Lieut. Col. Philip Kirkup, M.C., D.S.O.;
dedicated by Rev. George Walter King.
b. Unveiled November 12th 1950 by Lord Lawson of Beamish;
rededicated by the Venerable Archdeacon of Durham.
Heworth stone cenotaph; bronze plaques.
War Memorial Committee.
Land was gifted by Birtley Freeholders and Mr. A.R. Fleet.
See Note 5 below.
Cenotaph designed by Messrs. Davidson & Son, Architects of Gosforth.
Contractors for the work were Messrs. Bolam, Simpson & Bolam.
Bronze tablets by Messrs. H. Walker & Son, Newcastle.
Trees and shrubs by Messrs. Fell & Co., Hexham.
To the
glory of God
and in memory of
Officers, Non-Commissioned
Officers and Men
of Birtley Parish
who made the supreme
sacrifice in the
Great War
1914-1918
for God
King and Country
The
sacred cause of
Justice and the
Freedom
of the World.
Cenotaph and two public shelters set in a garden entered through iron gates.
The cenotaph is square in plan, built in ashlar, with rebated panels so designed that a cross is indicated on each face. It is mounted on a circular stylobate.
The arms of the cross on three faces has an enrichment in the shape of a laurel wreath and a festoon indicative of victory. The cenotaph is finished with heavy cornice and dentilled courses.
The cornice is surmounted by two blocking courses.
At the base of the cross on three sides is a bronze plaque with names of the fallen while above this plaque on the main facade is a memorial inscription cut in the stone.
The names for 1914-18 are carried on vertical bronze plates on each face, listed in two columns divided by a vertical line.
Those for 1939-45 are on horizontal plates on each face below, the names listed in three columns.
A further plate records the Gulf conflict of 1991.
The lettering is in raised Roman capitals throughout.
The Cenotaph is surrounded by a circular brick wall with a stone coping and flanked by two shelters of timber with glazed ends and fronts.
a. 197 names, ranks and regiments
b. 89 names, ranks and regiments.
c. 1 name, rank and regiment.
d. 1 name, rank and regiment.
See transcript.
1. Other suggestions for a memorial include cottages for servicemen and dependants, but were rejected through lack of funds.
2. Pelaw Main Colliery Company offered £500 to the costs of the memorial if a further £1,000 were to be raised.
3. In a letter to the Chester le Street Chronicle , an ex-servicemen deplores the idea of a side chapel in the church as “ritualistic priests seizing the names of the honoured dead amongst others as pegs upon which to hang their propaganda”.
4. A Souvenir Programme of the Unveiling of Birtley War Memorial was priced at one shilling.
5. To help pay for this project, Mr. G.L. Collins gave 500 War Savings certificates to be used as prizes in a draw. Fifty thousand tickets were issued at one shilling each, and were eagerly bought. The prizes in War Savings Certificates were 1st prize £100; 2nd and 3rd prizes, £50 each; four of £25 each; eight of £12 each; ten of £5 each, fifty four of £1. From the sale of tickets, donations and bank interest, the sum of £1,900 was realized.
6. Of the 1,350 Birtley men who joined the armed services in 1914-18, 189 were killed.
7. William Thompson from WW2 was added to the Memorial.
Photos: Dorothy Hall; B. Jackson, St. Thomas More School, Blaydon; Reg Hornsby; Glynis Gawley; K. Blythe
Chester le Street Chronicle
1921, 1922 and 1923 passim report proposals for the memorial, discontent at its non-appearance etc.
Consett Guardian
02/06/1922 reports lack of interest on a memorial.
Durham Chronicle
undated carries photograph of the 1950 rededication.
Illustrated Chronicle
06/08/1923 reports unveiling with photos;
Newcastle Daily Chronicle
31/05/1921 reports in length about the apathy shown;
04/07/1921 reports a Drumhead Memorial Service to honour the fallen.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
11/08/1923 reports unveiling.
Stanley News and Consett Chronicle
09/08/1923 reports unveiling.
The Journal
14/01/1995 reports campaign to have Paul Atkinson’s name added following his death in 1991
Gateshead Library Local Studies
programme of unveiling ceremony.
Birtley Nairn and Rand; Chalford 1997 ISBN 0 7524 0366 4
Additional Research Documents
B127.01 Unveiling Programme 1923
Ethel and Neville Armstrong, Whickham & District Local History Society;
Dorothy Hall;
B. Jackson, St. Thomas More School, Blaydon;
Reg. Hornsby;
Tony Harding;
Steve Smith;
Glynis Gawley;
K. Blythe
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.
BIRTLEY Main road.
Front
To the
glory of God
and in memory of
Officers Non-Commissioned
Officers and Men
of Birtley Parish
who made the supreme
sacrifice in the
Great War
1914-1918
for God
King and Country
The
sacred cause of
Justice and the
Freedom
of the World.
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Top panel
Lt. W.E. Avery N.F. L/C J. Wilson D.L.I.
Lt. A.A. Leighton Pte. F. Anderson D.L.I.
D.S.O. R.N.V.R. Pte. F. Alderson D.L.I.
2nd.Lt. J.G. Booth W.Y. Pte. H.E. Alderson N.F.
2nd.Lt. G. Foster R.F.A. Pte. R.H. Arthur N.F.
Sgt.Maj.E. Cook MM D.L.I. Pte. T.W. Atkin M.G.C.
CSM P.P. Blyth MC K.L. Pte. D. Atkinson N.F.
CSM J. Furness D.L.I. Pte. H. Barrett D.L.I.
Sgt. J. Armstrong Pte. J. Barton D.L.I.
DCM. MM. D.L.I. Pte. F.R. Bates D.L.I.
Sgt. J.A. Clasper N.F. Pte. J. Baxter A.S.C.
Sgt. T. Dunbar D.L.I. Pte. J. Bell D.L.I.
Sgt. T. Gillan D.L.I. Pte. S. Birchall
Sgt. M.L. Neville C.R. Pte. W. Blench R.A.M.C.
Sgt. J. O’Neil D.L.I. Pte. J. Blyth D.L.I.
Sgt. T. Lowery D.L.I. Pte. T. Bowman
Sgt. R. Wilson D.L.I. Pte. G. Bromley D.L.I.
Cpl. C.R. Eddy E.L. Pte. M. Bussey D.L.I.
Cpl. R. Edgar D.L.I. A.B. F. Chapman R.N.D.
Cpl. W. English N.F. Pte. C.K. Clennell D.L.I.
Cpl. T. Luke MM. N.F. Pte. A. Clifford
Cpl. J. Richardson C.G. Pte. S. Coates N.F.
Cpl. S. Tulip R.E. Pte. D. Collings D.L.I.
L/C R. Appleby D.L.I. Pte. W.A. Collins R.F.A.
L/C A. Baxter N.F. Pte. R. Coltman W.Y.
L/C R. Baxter E.Y. Pte. R. Comerford D.L.I.
L/C J. Carr Pte. E. Connelly W.R.
L/C G. Cowell D.L.I. Pte. A.F. Cooper N.F.
L/C G.W. Gargett D.L.I. Pte. F. Cooper D.L.I.
L/C L.P. Gavin N.F. Pte. T.R. Corbett R.N.
L/C J. Harkess D.L.I. Pte. J. Corr D.L.I.
L/C W.M. Riley R.A.M.C.
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Lower panel
1939-1945
F/O W.A. Smith R.A.F. Sgt. E. Fawcett R.A.F. Cpl. E. Wanless Q.B.
W/O J.H. Diffley R.A.F. Sgt. J. French D.L.I. Bdr. J.W. Davidson R.A.
P.O. G.E. Fisk R.M. Sgt. J.W. Higdon R.A.F. LAC W.R.P. Byers R.A.F.
P.O. N. Kay R.N. Sgt. E. Starkie R.A.F. LAC F.C. McIver R.A.F.
P.O. C.W. Wade R.N. Cpl. R. Adamson R.T.R. L/Cpl F. Barnfather D.L.I.
Eng. S.M. Turnbull MBE M.N. Cpl. J.T. Cavagan D.W.R. L/Cpl.J.G.W. Nesbitt D.L.I.
C/P. C.W. Thorp R.A.F. Cpl. R. Herberson B.W. L/Cpl.W.G. Streeter D.L.I.
S/Sgt. J.E. Todd R.A.M.C. Cpl. P. Loughlin R.A.C. Pte. T.W. Affleck D.C.L.I.
F/Sgt. J. Richardson R.A.F. Cpl. W.E. Metcalfe R.A.F. Pte. T. Alderson S.& R.
S/Pt. S. Baxter R.A.F. Cpl. W. Morrison R.C.S. Gn. J. Attey R.A.
Sgt. R. Black R.A.F. Cpl. J. Scott R.E. A.B. J.R. Barrass M.N.
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Left hand face:
Top plaque
Gulf Conflict 1991
Fus. P. Atkinson R.R.F.
Pte. G. Cowell D.L.I. Pte. R. Harland D.L.I.
Pte. R. Cowie D.L.I Pte. W. Heckles D.L.I.
Pte. M. Coyle D.L.I. Pte. A. Henderson D.L.I.
Pte. J.K. Crawford W.R. AB J. Hepple R.N.D.
Pte. H.W.Cresswell MDCC Pte. R.D. Herron N.F.
Pte. W.T. Crozier N.C. Pte. T.G. Herron D.L.I.
Pte. T. Dawson K.O.S.B. AB J. Holmes R.N.
Pte. J. Devonish N.F. StokerT.J. Holmes R.N.
Pte. J.E. Dilkes D.L.I. Pte. A. Hunter D.L.I.
Pte. E.R. Dodds KOYLI Pte. T. Hunter D.L.I.
Pte. R. Donnelly Pte. J. Hutchinson R.G.A.
Pte. C.H. Dyson N.F. Pte. J. Iveson D.L.I.
Pte. E.L.J. Eland W.Y. Pte. T.W. Johnson S.H.
Pte. C. Elliot N.F. Pte. M.H. Johnstone M.G.C.
Pte. M. Elliot D.L.I. Pte. J. Kelly D.L.I.
Pte. R. Elliott R.N.D. Pte. G.W. Ledger D.L.I.
Pte. G. Fenton D.L.I. Pte. J.J. Lee D.L.I.
Pte. T. Fenton D.L.I. Pte. J. Letch D.L.I.
Pte. J.H. Ferguson D.L.I. Pte. T. Luke E.Y.
Pte. J. Fisher D.G. Pte. A. Maghie D.L.I.
Pte. J.G. Fuller D.L.I. Pte. J. Maghie D.L.I.
Pte. J. Graham Q.O.R. Pte. W. Maghie D.L.I.
Driver R. Greaves R.F.A. Tpr. H. Mallabar L.G.
Pte. L. Greaves D.L.I. Pte. J.E. Martin
Pte. F.M. Greenwood W.Y. Pte. W. Marshall N.F.
Pte. D. Grimes E.Y. Pte. J. Mason D.L.I.
Pte. F. Grimshaw D.L.I. Pte. J. May D.L.I.
Pte. P. Grimshaw E.Y. Pte. J. McAvoy
Pte. R. Grimshaw D.L.I. Pte. S. McGinn D.L.I.
Pte. F. Hammond L.L.C. Pte. S. McGlory N.F.
Pte. J.T. Harkes Y.L. Pte. J. McIntyre D.L.I.
Pte. M. Harland D.L.I. Pte. J.O.G. McKay D.L.I.
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Lower panel
1939-1945
AB J. Belshaw R.N. Stk. J.T. Charles R.N. AB T. Ford R.N.
Stk. R. Betts R.N. Pte. J. Cordon M.R. Pte. J. Forster K.R.
Pte. F. Bolton G.H. Pte. J.R. Cowell D.L.I. Gn. R. Gargett R.A.
Gn. T.P. Bolton R.A. Pte. J.A. Dennison B.W. Stk. S. Gough R.N.
Pte. F.L Bowater D.L.I. Pte. R.T. Douglass D.L.I. Gn. J.W. Gradon R.A.
Pte. E.E. Brown D.L.I. Pte. J.W. Fawcett K.O.R.R.Pte. R. Gradon D.L.I.
Stk. T. Burns R.N. Pte. R.H. Fawcett B.R. Rfl. H. Grimwood C.A.M.S
Pte. W. Cavanagh D.L.I. AB A.T. Fellingham R.N. Pte. N. Huscroft D.L.I.
Pte. J.D.Chambers R.A.O.C. Pte. E.A. Fenwick D.L.I. Fus. N. Huthart L.F.
Pte. R. Redshaw D.L.I. Stk. J. Fletcher R.N. Cpl. J. Pinkerton K.S.L.I
Korea 1951
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Right hand face
Pte. R. Mitchenson D.L.I. Pte. T. Smith D.L.I.
Pte. C. Mowbray Pte. A. Sowerby D.L.I.
AB J. Mulcahy R.N.D. Pte. C. Speed R.F.A.
Pte. T. Neville Pte. W. Stobbart N.F.
Pte. T.S. Newmark M.G.C. Pte. R. Suddick D.L.I.
Pte. F. Newman D.L.I. Pte. W. Taylor D.L.I.
Pte. G.S. Nicholson D.L.I. Pte. H. Thompson
Pte. A. O’Neil N.F. Pte. R. Tiplady N.F.
Pte. P. O’Neil N.F. Pte. W. Todd D.L.I.
Pte. T. O’Neil D.L.I. Pte. F. Toner
Pte. J. Page D.L.I. Pte. J. Toner
Pte. W. Page D.L.I. Pte. W. Tunnah W.G.
AB T. Parker R.N.D. Pte. J. Turnbull D.L.I.
Pte. W. Pickering R.E. Pte. W. Turnbull R.N.
Pte. T.P. Poole L.Y. Pte. T. Wade R.F.
Pte. D. Potts N.F. Pte. W. Wakefield N.F.
Pte. A. Proudfoot D.L.I. Pte. J. Waller D.L.I.
Pte. J. Rice D.L.I. Pte. J.W. Ward
Pte. C.H. Robinson R.N.D. Pte. T.N. Watson
Pte. J. Robinson N.F. Pte. R. Weddle D.L.I.
Gnr. W. Robson R.F.A. Pte. C. West R.N.D.
Pte. W. Robson D.L.I. Pte. D. West R.N.D.
Pte. T. Ross D.L.I. Pte. J. Whalen D.L.I.
Pte. T.H. Rowe D.L.I. Pte. J. Whitfield C.G.
Pte. W. Rowntree E.L. Pte. P. Whitmore K.O.Y.L.I.
Pte. W. Sables Pte. E. Whitmore D.L.I.
Pte. T. Sanderson N.F. Pte. J. Winn L.R.
AB G. Shipley R.N.D. Pte. J. Wild W.Y.
Pte. C. Small R.F.A. Pte. J. Wilson D.L.I.
Pte. E. Small R.F.A. Pte. J. Wilson N.F.
Pte. C. Smith R.N.D. Pte. R. Wilson N.F.
Pte. F. Smith D.L.I. Pte. G. Worthington M.G.C.
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Lower panel
1939-1945
Gn. F.G. Jobling R.A. Gds. W.S. Pearson C.G. Pte. J. Timney R.C.S.
Pte. J.H. Layfield A.S.H. Pte. F. Punshon R.W.K. Pte. I. Todd D.L.I.
Mn. W.A. Little R.M. Gn. R. Purdom R.A. Pte. D.N. Tomassi K.O.
Pte. R.A. Magee A.M.P.C. A.B. C. Ryan R.N. Gn. T.W. Vasey R.A.
Pte. G.R. Middleton A.A.C. Pte. W.R. Savage D.L.I. Pte. G.A. Wiggins D.L.I.
Gn. J.M. Morgan R.A. Pte. J. Shields D.L.I. Ac J. Winter R.A.F.
AB K. Morrison R.N. Stk. J.M. Smith R.N. Pte. J. Witherspoon K.O.S.B.
Pte. T. Murphy R.C. Pte. H.S. Souter M.R. Gds. F. Wood C.G.
Pte. M.C. Newark R.A.M.C. AC. J. Stonehouse R.A.F. Pte. E.W. Wood D.L.I.
Sgt. J.E. Bond R.A.F. Pte. J. Terrell R.A.O.C. Rfl. W. Thomson C.A.M.S.
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At rear of memorial
Pte. J.W. Cryer D.L.I.
Pte. T. Childs R.N.D.
Pte. A. Dawson D.L.I.
Pte. W. Oliver N.F.
Pte. W. Pycroft D.L.I.
Pte. C.S. Rivers D.L.I.
Pte. W. Donnelly D.L.I.
Names B127.01
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