Memorial

Cross 1914-18 1939-45 Holy Trinity Churchyard

Whitfield

Memorial Name: Cross 1914-18 1939-45 Holy Trinity Churchyard (W43.01)

NEWMP Ref No.: W43.01

Parish: Whitfield

Original Location:

Holy Trinity Church, corner of graveyard, fronting the road

Which War:

a. 1914-1918
b. 1939-1945

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

a. Unveiled December 1920 by Lt. Gen. Sir Percy Wilkinson.

Materials Used:

Freestone

How Money was Raised:

Public subscription

Sculptor, Artist or Designer:

Mr. H.B. Hicks, architect, of Newcastle.

Inscription:

a.
In memory of those
from this parish
who gave their
lives in the Great
War 1914-1919.

b.
Giving thanks
to
Almighty God
for the
safe return
of those
from this parish who
served
in the war 1939-1945.

Memorial Description:

Cross of Saxon type 10 feet high (3.5 m) on stepped base 83 inches x 83 inches (210cm x 210cm), surrounded by a fence, with access by gate.

The cross stands on a small pedestal.

Beneath this, the main pedestal has its corners chamfered, giving an irregular octagonal shape, which is echoed by the two steps and base on which the whole stands.

The dedication is on the front of the upper pedestal, the names for 1914-19 are in a single column on the front and two sides of the main pedestal, all lettering incised in sans serif capitals.

Around the top step, using all faces of the octagonal shape, is the thanksgiving for safe return from 1939-1945.

Names:

a. 12 names and ranks.
b. None.
See transcript.

Notes:

1. Newcastle Daily Journal 07/07/1920 reports “Comrades of the Whitfield and West Allen Post attended a parade service at Whitfield Church . . . a wreath was also placed on a tablet bearing the names of the men killed in action . .” There is no plaque in the Church.

External Links:

Historic England Listing

Sources:

Photos: J. Brown; P. Thirkell; Des Stewart; old postcard: Tony Harding

Hexham Weekly News
03/12/1920 reports unveiling.

Illustrated Chronicle
30/11/1920 reports unveiling.

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
04/12/1920 reports unveiling.

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