Cross 1914-18 1939-45 Roadside

On main street, in front of the Presbyterian Church (Now United Reformed Church)

Moved a few feet along the road in 2004

a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45

a. Unveiled 19th September 1920 by Field Marshall Viscount Allenby.
Dedicated by Rev. W.W. Charlton (Horncliffe Presbyterian Church) with Canon Robertson (Norham Parish) also officiating.

Red Doddington sandstone, with stainless steel plate.

Public contributions, including children, Garden Fete (Horncliffe House) and Sale

J. & J. Young, Norham.
G. Purves of Horncliffe laid concrete base.

a.
In
proud and
loving
memory of
the men of
Horncliffe
and district
who gave
their lives
in the
Great War
1914-18
Greater love
hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his
life for his friends.

b.
1939-1945

Cross of Latin type, 7 feet high (2.1m).

It stands on a pedestal 30 inches high, 24 inches wide at the bottom tapering to 18 inches wide at the top (76cms x 61cms x 46cms).

This in turn stands on two wider pedestals, the top edges of which have been curved.

The dedication is on the shaft of the cross, the names on the top plinth, quotations on the third plinth and the names from 1939-1945 on the bottom plinth.

It should be noted that the names of both 1914-18 and 1939-45 are on a stainless steel plate attached to the plinth.

It looks as though the original inscription was either damaged or incorrect, and a new plate made and fastened over the old one, which explains why the name from 1939-45 appear twice.

The inscriptions in the stonework are all incised and painted black in Roman capitals.

On the steel plate, the names are engraved in upper and lower case in sans serif letters and painted black.

1. Field Marshall Allenby was brother to Capt. Allenby, R.N. of Loanend, Berwick, and was in the district for a short holiday.

2. For the unveiling, 50 Territorials provided the Guard of Honour and were transported to Horncliffe on wagons loaned by the local breweries.

3. In 2003 the church was sold and the new owners wanted the memorial moved a few feet along the road. The Parish Council assumed responsibility for it.

4. By the time the memorial was moved, the lettering had weathered. The memorial was turned through 180 degrees and a new plate was attached to the rear which now faced the road. In 2016 the weathered lettering was restored and the memorial turned so that the original front was now at the front again. The plate is now at the rear. The top portion of the cross was replaced. The memorial was restored in May 2016 and rededicated in November 2016, with a small plaque on the rear telling the details:
This memorial was renovated
by
Berwick upon Tweed Preservation Trust
in
May 2016
using funds generously donated
by
the Grinham Family.

Historic England Listing

Photo: J. Brown; photo of cross in new location: C. Dean

Alnwick & County Gazette
25/09/1920 reports unveiling.

Berwick Journal
23/09/1920 reports unveiling.

Illustrated Chronicle
31/08/1920 reports proposed unveiling “next month”.

Newcastle Daily Journal
20/09/1920 reports unveiling.

Northern Echo
20/09/1920 reports unveiling.

Source of quotation:
“Greater love hath no man than this . . .” St. John’s Gospel 15 v 13

Janet Brown;
Michael Newrick;
Christopher Dean;
Tony Harding;
Dorothy Hall;
Colin Wakeling;
George Miller

Coldstream and District Local History Society are researching the names on this memorial.

Contact: info@coldstreamhistorysociety.co.uk