Memorial
Cross 1914-18 1939-45 Abbey Grounds
Hexham
Memorial Name: Cross 1914-18 1939-45 Abbey Grounds (H51.03)
NEWMP Ref No.: H51.03
Parish: Hexham
Priory and Parish Church of St. Andrew, Market Place.
In the grounds.
a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45
Unveiled 29th September, 1921 by Prince Henry (later Duke of Gloucester);
dedicated by the Rector, Rev. J.V.C. Farquhar .
White Portland stone
The Hospital Committee
£15,000 for Hospital and Cross.
Public subscription.
Designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield, R.A.;
built by William Cresswell of Hexham.
Ownership and Maintenance: Hexham Town Council
On centre face, middle step:
Here are inscribed
names which bid us
by service our
debt repay.
On centre face, lower step:
This cross and S. Wilfrid’s
War Memorial Hospital
are dedicated to the
glorious memory of the
men of Hexham who laid
down their lives in the
Great Wars 1914-1918
1939-1945.
Cross based on Blomfield type.
Four octagonal steps of various depths and diminishing width are surmounted by a tall octagonal plinth, the whole base being about 8 feet (2.43m) high.
This is topped by plain cross about 7 feet high (2.13m), with a bronze sword mounted on the east face, the whole being 15 feet (4.57m) high.
The names are carved into the stone on all eight sides of the top three parts below the cross, and are painted black.
All lettering is in incised Roman capitals throughout.
Old photos show that it was originally surrounded by a circle of small stones enclosing a paved area.
a. 230 names, ranks and regiments.
b. 102 names, ranks and regiments.
See transcript.
1. The words “Wars1914” run into one another, and it is obvious that the letter “s” had been inserted and the dates “1939-1945” squeezed in at the bottom.
2. Maurice Cresswell, the son of William Cresswell, who created this memorial, carved the memorial stone at Kohima which bears the words “When you go home, tell them of us and say, For your tomorrow we gave our today”. Acknowledgments: Morris.
3. An Allotments Association was to be formed, and it would hold a show of vegetables to raise funds for the memorial.
4. In 1997 a major spring-clean was proposed, with estimates of costs between £4,000 and £4,500.
5. In August 2016 an appeal was launched for information about the names on the memorial. This appeared in the Hexham Courant 26/08/2016. There are discrepancies in the details on the memorial.
Photos: J. Brown; Colin N. Dallison;
Old postcards: Tony Harding; John S. Perry
Evening Dispatch
30/09/1921 reports unveiling.
Hexham Courant
14/02/1920 gives details of fund raising so far; Saturday,
01/10/1921 gives full report of the unveiling ceremony;
(date unknown) gives an account of William Cresswell and the memorial at Kohima;
25/08/1995 reports the carving on the Kohima Memorial;
13/12/1996 reports that Remembrance Day services were marred because of the poor state of the memorial;
12/09/1997 reports proposals for a spring clean;
08/02/2008 reports a large crack that would cost £3,000 to repair;
26/08/2016 carries details of the appeal for information on the names.
Hexham Weekly News
14/11/1919 reports silent homage;
14/11/1919 reports donations to fund; reports Allotments Assocn. proposals;
17/09/1920 reports lists of names and ranks received so far.
Illustrated Chronicle
30/09/1921 reports unveiling with photos.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle
12/09/1921 reports fund raising fete;
30/09/1921 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Daily Journal
03/01/1920 page 3.
Peace Celebrations
– leaflet appointing Committees to organise events and raise funds for the memorials;
– photocopies of assorted programmes of services in Hexham Abbey
Thanksgiving for Cessation of Hostilities 17/11/1918;
– “Welcome Home” Service of Thanksgiving 27/04/1919;
– Special Memorial Service for all who have fallen during the War (24th Oct, year not stated)
Newcastle Central Library
photographs c1935, 1954.
Morpeth County Library
Frith collection of photographs; Postcard collection contains photograph of unveiling.
Hexham Historian
No.15 carries an article entitled ‘Only Fools and Horses’ by Alan Grint about the Hexham men who fought at Gallipoli in 1915. It is extracted from In Silent Fortitude. Published by Hexham Local History Society; ISSN 1323-0563. www.hexhamhistorian.org. In Silent Fortitude: In Memory of the Men of the North Tyne Valley who Fell in the Great War; Alan Isaac Grint; 2011; Ergo Press; ISBN 9780955751097
Source of quotation:
“Here are inscribed names which bid us by service our debt repay” Not ascertained.
Ken and Dorothy Southern;
Janet Brown;
Colin Dallison;
John Swan Perry;
Tony Harding;
Derick Tiffin (Hexham Town Council);
Dorothy Hall;
Roger Morris
Alan Grint has researched the names on the Hexham memorials in his book The Faith and Fire Within, 2006, Ergo Press ISBN 0955275814
Contact:-Cogito books 01434 602555
If you know more about this memorial, please send the details to NEWMP.
HEXHAM, Abbey grounds.
East face: North east face:
E.R.A. A.R.B. Pearson R.N. Spr. T.W. Edwards R.E.
E.R.A. E.T. Baty R.N.R. Spr. R. Elliott R.E.
A.B. L. Charlton R.N. Pte. J.A. Ferroll C. Gds.
A.B. F.N. Dodds R.N. Pte. H.N. Fogg C. Gds.
A.B. W. MacLachlan R.N. Capt. J.H. Cuthbert, D.S.O. S. Gds
A.B. J. Robson R.N. Pte. V. Bathgate R. Scots.
A.B. P. Robson R.N. Pte. A. Patterson R.M.L.I.
A.B. J.E. Thompson R.N. Pte. W. Oswald E. Kents.
A.B. W. Wilkinson R.N. Pte. G.S. Robinson E. Kents.
A.B. W. Wilson R.N. Pte. H.H. Browne 1st N.F.
AP. W. Wilson Mariner. Pte. J.E. Robson 1st N.F.
Fl.Lt. T.A. Urwin R.A.F. Lt.Col. B.D. Gibson D.S.O. 4th N.F.
P.T.E. J.T. Hogg R.A.F. Capt. H.H. Bell 4th N.F.
Sergt. W.R. Thew N.H. Capt. L.D. Plummer 4th N.F.
Tpr. J.G. Dodds N.H. Capt. J.W. Robinson 4th N.F.
Tpr. W. Metcalfe N.H. Lieut. J.M. Emerson 4th N.F.
Capt. S. Atkinson R.F.A. Lieut. F.P. Lees 4th N.F.
Capt. F.A. Richardson R.F.A. Lieut. H.A. Long 4th N.F.
Lt. J.T. Strang R.F.A. Lieut. R.L. Tully 4th N.F.
Dr. J.M. Spedding R.F.A. Lieut. G.P. Walton 4th N.F.
Dr. T.W. Smith R.F.A. Lieut. H.F. Walton 4th N.F.
Gnr. J.E. Charlton R.G.A. R.S.M. G.D. Fewster 4th N.F.
Gnr. R.D. Telfer R.G.A. R.O.M.S. A.G. Richardson 4th N.F.
Dr. J.D. Dodd R.G.A. C.S.M. W.A. Charlton 4th N.F.
Cpl. H.K. Lockhart R. E. C.S.M. A. Hallbrook 4th N.F.
Spr. E. Baty R.E. Sergt. W. Alder 4th N.F.
Spr. J.E. Bruntlett R.E. Sergt. R. Brooks 4th N.F.
Spr. J.W. Dodds R.E. Sergt. F. Harvey 4th N.F.
Spr. B. Porteous R.E. Sergt. F. Nevison 4th N.F.
HERE ARE INSCRIBED Capt. C.L. Stephenson R.N.F.
NAMES WHICH BID US Plt/O H.C. Stevenson R.A.F.
BY SERVICE OUR Plt/O W.L. Shield R.A.F.
DEBT REPAY Pte. J. Salkeld A.& S. Hlds.
Fus. J.W. Snowball R.N.F.
L/Cpl. H. Stuart R.A.S.C.
THIS CROSS AND S. WILFRID’S L/Cpl K. Anderson A.T.S.
WAR MEMORIAL HOSPITAL Sgt/Plt H.B. Annan R.A.F.
ARE DEDICATED TO THE Cpl. F. Armstrong R.N.F.
GLORIOUS MEMORY OF THE Spr. A. Atkinson R.E.
MEN OF HEXHAM WHO LAID F.O. F.T. Brown D.F.C R.A.F.
DOWN THEIR LIVES IN THE Capt. W.N. Barrie D.F.C. G.P.R.
GREAT WARS 1914-1918 Lt. T.B. Bland R.N.F.
1939-1945 L.A.C. W.R. Blackburn R.A.F.
Gnr. J. Brotherton R.A.
3rd O. C.H. Boyd M.N.
A.C. N.N. Carr R.A.F.
—————————————————————————————————
West Face South west face
Pte. J. Robson 4th N.F. Lt. C.T. Savage 10th N.F.
Pte. J. Robson 4th N.F. Cpl. F. Robson 10th N.F.
Pte. J.B. Robson 4th N.F. Lce.Cpl. T.W. Burn 10th N.F.
Pte. T.W. Robson 4th N.F. Pte. T. Wright 11th N.F.
Pte. J. Rowell 4th N.F. Pte. W. Lynch 16th N.F.
Pte. D. Salkeld 4th N.F. Sergt. C.E. Snowball 19th N.F.
Pte. W. Scott 4th N.F. Sergt. J. Nevison 20th N.F.
Pte. J. Smith 4th N.F. Pte. F. Newman 20th N.F.
Pte. R. Smith 4th N.F. Pte. T. Pencott 22nd N.F.
Pte. W.H. Smith 4th N.F. Pte. C.W. Potts 22nd N.F.
Pte. W. Summers 4th N.F. Pte. W. Allen 25th N.F.
Pte. J. Stewart 4th N.F. Sergt. F. Forster 27th N.F.
Pte. D. Sword 4th N.F. Lc.Cpl. N.C. Barnfather R.F.
Pte. J. Thompson 4th N.F. Pte. J. Kirkland R.F.
Pte. W. Watt 4th N.F. Pte. M.I. Pattinson R.F.
Pte. J.W. Thompson 4th N.F. Pte. S. Plant R.F.
Pte. G. Watson 4th N.F. Pte. P. Woolaston Kings.
Pte. R.M. Welch 4th N.F. Lt. G.S. Long Suffolks.
Pte. I.H. Whittaker 4th N.F. Pte. C. Conkleton W. Yorks.
Pte. R. Wilson 4th N.F. Pte. J. Dunwoodie W. Yorks.
Pte. J.W. Wilkinson 4th N.F. Lce.Cpl. A.L. Lowes W. Yorks.
Pte. F. Young 4th N.F. Pte. C. Smith W. Yorks.
Dr. T. Cathrae 4th N.F. Pte. R.W. Smith W. Yorks.
Dr. W.G. Pearson 4th N.F. Pte. G. Smith E. Yorks.
Dr. J.S. Snowball 4th N.F. Pte. M. Thompson E. Yorks.
Lt. J. McIntosh 5th N.F. Pte. N. Wilkinson E. Yorks.
Pte. S.R. Hutton 7th N.F. Lc.Cpl. H. Brown L.F.
Pte. W. Kirsopp 8th N.F. Pte. T. Craig Cheshires.
Pte. T. Pigg 8th N.F. Capt. G.F.H. Charlton S.W.B.
CSM D. Forster R.N.F. Sgt.Obv. J.N. Huddlestone R.A.F.
2nd Lt. W.D. Fairclough D.L.I. Major K.W.D. Hodgson H.G.
Major R.H. Farquhar Sfth.Hlds. Cpl. G. Irwin W. Yrks. Regt.
Capt. C.A.M. Grover R.H.A. Pte. T. Johnson P.C.
Sgt/Plt R. Gibson R.A.F. L/Cpl. J. Kennedy Bdr. Rgt.
O.A. T. Gordon R.N. Major T.R. Lovibond R.A.C.
L/Cpl. T. Graham R.A.S.C. Cpl. A.W. Lowdon R.E.M.E.
Gnr. G.R. Graham R.A. Pte. R. Lillico R.N.F.
L/Cpl. J.G. Hutchinson R.N.F. Gnr. W. Metcalfe R.A.
A.B. J.J. Henderson R.N. Gnr. R. Maquire R.A.
Gnr. G.E. Hudson R.A. P.O. N.P. McKie R.N.
—————————————————————————————————
North face: North west face
Sergt. V. Scott 4th N.F. Pte. H. Griffen 4th N.F.
Cpl. F. Abbott M.M. 4th N.F. Pte. J. Heenan 4th N.F.
Lc.Cpl R. Henderson 4th N.F. Pte. R.G. Henderson 4th N.F.
Lc.Cpl J. Kelly 4th N.F. Pte. W. Henderson 4th N.F.
Lc.Cpl. W.E. Woodman 4th N.F. Pte. T.C. Hill 4th N.F.
Lc.Cpl. R. Young 4th N.F. Pte. W. Hogg 4th N.F.
Pte. T. Abbott 4th N.F. Pte. R. Hudson 4th N.F.
Pte. E. Armstrong 4th N.F. Pte. T. Lancaster 4th N.F.
Pte. J.J. Baty 4th N.F. Pte. R. Lendren 4th N.F.
Pte. J. Baty 4th N.F. Pte. W.C. Love 4th N.F.
Pte. J. Bell 4th N.F. Pte. T.T. McAdam 4th N.F.
Pte. W. Bell 4th N.F. Pte. W. Mitchison 4th N.F.
Pte. E. Blackburn 4th N.F. Pte. R. Moulding 4th N.F.
Pte. R. Blackburn 4th N.F. Pte. C. Mole 4th N.F.
Pte. G.W. Boustead 4th N.F. Pte. G. Moss 4th N.F.
Pte. W.I. Cooper 4th N.F. Pte. J.E. Newton 4th N.F.
Pte. W. Coulson 4th N.F. Pte. R. Newton 4th N.F.
Pte. J. Cunningham 4th N.F. Pte. A. Noble 4th N.F.
Pte. G. Dodd 4th N.F. Pte. J. Oliver 4th N.F.
Pte. J. Dodd 4th N.F. Pte. R.D. Oliver 4th N.F.
Pte. W. Dodd 4th N.F. Pte. G. Pearson 4th N.F.
Pte. M.E. Donnelly 4th N.F. Pte. J. Pencott 4th N.F.
Pte. W. Donnelly 4th N.F. Pte. T. Potts 4th N.F.
Pte. J. Evans 4th N.F. Pte. I. Reay 4th N.F.
Pte. E.A. Fletcher 4th N.F. Pte. M. Reed 4th N.F.
Pte. A. Forster 4th N.F. Pte. E. Riley 4th N.F.
Pte. J. Fox 4th N.F. Pte. F. Riley 4th N.F.
Pte. H. Gibbin 4th N.F. Pte. J. Riley 4th N.F.
Pte. J. Grierson 4th N.F. Pte. J. Robson 4th N.F.
Fus. T. Stewart R.N.F.
Gnr. J. Stewart R.A.
Dvr. J.R. Taylor R.A.S.C.
Sgt. E. Trueman K.O.Y.L.I.
Sgt. M.J. Thompson Blk. Watch.
Spr. R.E. Crozier R.E.
Major R.W. Casebourne R.E. 2nd Lt. S. Cunningham D.L.I.
Cpl. G.T. Charlton R.N.F. L.A. N. Davison F.A.A.
A.C. L. Clifford R.A.F. Tpr. E.H. Dickinson R.A.C.
L/Cpl T. Cooper R.E.M.E. Pte. E.M. Dickinson Rec. Regt.
Fus. J.P. Cook R.N.F. Cpl. L. Drummond R.A.F.
Pte. A.E.V. Clark, M.M. Gr. Hwds. Pte. J. Drydon R.N.F.
Cpl. R.J. Clarke R.A.F. L.A.C. H. Dyne R.A.F.
Fus. A. Clark R.N.F. Capt. P. Dent M.N.
Sgt. R. Clark R.N.F. Fus. J.W. Dodd R.N.F.
Sgt/Obv. W. Curry R.A.F. Pte. H.W. Eddy R.A.O.C.
Tpr. R. Dodd R.A.C. Lt. W.D. Foster R.N.F.
—————————————————————————————————
South face South east face:
Lt. J.T. Redpath K.O.S.B. Pte. T.H. Marsh D.L.I.
Pte. M. Irwin R. Ins. Fus. Pte. S.B.M. Morris D.L.I.
Sergt. A. Addison W. Riding. Lt. J.W. Gilhespy C.H.
Capt. R. Head Border R. Sergt. H. Meins G.H.
Capt. B.C. Harrison Border R. Cpl. F.J. Baty G.H.
Pte. H. Abbott Border R. Lce.Cpl. J. Halliday G.H.
Pte. N. Mitchinson R.H. Pte. C. Smith G.H.
Lce.Cpl.A. Atkinson S. Foresters. Pte. J.R. Wallace G.H.
Lce.Cpl P. McMahon K.O.Y.L.I. Capt. B. Allgood R.I.R.
Pte. R.M. Konkleton K.O.Y.L.I. Pte. C.E. Mason A.& S.H.
Pte. J.R. Robson K.O.Y.L.I. Pte. W. Oliver A.& S.H.
Pte. J. Watson K.O.Y.L.I. Cpl. G.E. Pattinson M.G.C.
Lt. E. Sparke Middlesex Pte. J.W. Oxley R.A.M.C.
Cpl. P.S. Milburn K.R.R. Pte. F. Hall R.A.M.C.
Pte. J.W. Banks K.R.R. Pte. J. Young R.A.S.C.
Pte. J.W. Archer L.R. Pte. C.J.D. Waddilove R.A.M.C.
Pte. J. Boswell N. Staffs. Sergt. T. Burn Canadians.
Capt. R. Atkinson D.L.I. Pte. J. Bell Canadians.
Capt. W.G. Charlton D.L.I. Cpl. W. Jefferson Canadians.
Capt. H.J. Spencer D.L.I. Pte. M.W.P. Dent Canadians.
Capt. J.H. Iveson D.L.I. Pte. E. Walton Canadians.
Lt. F.T. Iveson D.L.I. Tpr. B. Alexander Aust. E.F.
Lt. D. Little D.L.I. Pte. W.C. Brown Aust. E.F.
C.S.M. T. Chrisp, M.M. D.L.I. Pte. J.W. Robinson Aust. E.F.
Pte. J. Bell D.L.I. Pte. W. Turnbull Aust. E.F.
Pte. W.H. Brown D.L.I. Sp. E. Wallace Aust. E.F.
Pte. P. Dodd D.L.I. C. Guthrie Y.M.C.A.
Pte. W.H. Hill D.L.I.
Pte. C. Irwin D.L.I.
L.A.C. W.E. Weatherley R.A.F. L.A.C. H. Thompson R.A.F.
L.A.C. L.B. Whitfield R.A.F. Pte. A. Thompson R.N.F.
Cpl. J. Westgarth R.A.F. Pte. D. Thompson Cam. Hlds.
Pte. W.S. Wilson R.N.F. 3rdEng. N. Wilkinson M.N.
Fus. R.J. Watson R.N.F. P/O J.S. Wood R.A.F.
Sgt. R. Wilson R.A. Sgt/Bdr R.I. White R.A.F.
Dvr. N.R. Wardle R.A.S.C.
Pte. J.W. Moulding Blk. Watch. Flt/Lt W.A.C Patterson DFC. R.A.F.
Sgt. J.W. Morris R.A.F. L.A.C. E. Portnell R.A.F.
Tpr. S. Mynard Rec. Cps. Flt/Sgt. F.W. Rutherford R.A.F.
Pte. J. Newton Blk. Watch. Sgt. J.H. Rollingson R.N.F.
Pte. C. Newton R.N.F. Flt/Sgt. N. Ridley R.A.F.
Tpr. R.W. Oliver Rec. Cps. L.A.C. A. Ridley R.A.F.
Tpr. A. Pearson Rec. Cps. Lt. J.H. Rawson Gr. Hwds.
Tpr. Alan Pearson Rec. Cps. Sgt/Nav. F.D.M. Smith R.A.F.
Fus. A. Pearson R.N.F. Cpl. J. Smith R.A.F.
Fus. J.R. Parker R.N.F. L.S. W. Smith R.N.
Tpr. R.F. Pagan R.A.C. Engnr. S. Scott M.N.
NamesH51.03
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