Cross 1914-18 1939-45 Roadside

In grounds of village hall.

a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45

a. Unveiled Easter Sunday 27th March 1921 by Mrs. Sutton-Jones of Roseden Hall.

Hewn out of the Liver Rock in the depths of the Old Denwick Quarry (i.e. freestone)

a. £85 5s 6d including masonry and wrought iron railing £43 12s 1d;
yew hedge and sundries £11 16s 1d.

a. The site for the memorial was given to the village for a peppercorn rent by Sir Thomas Milvain.

John E. Watson.
Designer – Messrs. Thomas Watson of Alnwick

To the glory of God
in honour of the men
of this parish who fought,
and in ever
grateful remembrance
of those who fell
in the Great War
1914-1918.
(Names)

On front of step
See ye to it that these shall not have died in vain.

Cross of Celtic design “resembling the Saxon cross on Iona”.

It is about 11 feet 6 inches (3.5 m) high on two graduated bases, which in turn stand on two steps.

The base measures is 58 inches x 48 inches (147cm x 122cm).

The pedestal and the top step bear the inscription in sans serif capitals.

The monument stands in a semi-circular enclosure backed by a privet hedge and fronted by a low iron railing.

“The cross, 6 feet 6 inches high (198cms), springs from a die, two feet (61cms) in height, set upon two finely finished blocks of stone” (Illustrated Chronicle)

1. Mrs. Sutton-Jones, who unveiled the memorial, had lost her only son in the war, and his name is on the memorial.

2. In 1921 Messrs. H. Brown and T. Burn agreed to undertake future upkeep, and Mr. Stanley Taylor offered to attend to flowers and immediate surroundings.

Historic England Listing

Photos: J. Brown; P. Thirkell; Tony Harding

Alnwick & County Gazette
12/03/1921 carries a letter explaining various difficulties over finding a site, and the design and erection;
19/03/1921 reports proposed unveiling on Easter Sunday;
26/03/1921 carries description;
02/04/1921 reports unveiling;
03/12/1921 reports that the memorial is still not paid for, and that £90+ had been raised at a Free Gift Sale;
16/09/1922 reports finances and proposals for upkeep (NRO).

Illustrated Chronicle
22/03/1921 reports proposed unveiling next Sunday.

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
26/03/1921 reports proposed unveiling;
02/04/1921 reports unveiling.

Northern Echo
28/03/1921 carries brief report of unveiling.

Source of quotation:
“See ye to it . . .” Quoted from certificate sent to the families of the fallen under the cypher of King George V

John Rutherford, Aln & Breamish Local History Society;
J. Brown;
P.Thirkell;
Dorothy Hall;

The names on this memorial are being researched by Janet Rice who can be contacted on jandg.whince@talk21.com