Cross 1914-18 1939-45 St. Mary the Virgin’s Churchyard

Church of St. Mary the Virgin; in corner of churchyard facing the bridge

a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45

a. Unveiled 2nd April 1921 by Col. Riddell, D.S.O.;
dedicated by the vicar.

Sandstone

£200

Public subscription

Designed by Hicks & Charlwood;
made by Mr. Robert Beall, Newcastle

a. None
b. 1939-1945

Cross of Latin type with plain slender shaft and no decoration, standing on an octagonal pedestal on which the inscription is carved on two faces. The dates “1914-1918” are incised at the bottom of the shaft.

This is turn rests on three further octagonal steps.

The writing is incised using Roman capitals throughout.

The names from 1939-45 have been added on the face below those from 1914-18.

1. The Alnwick & County Gazette 10/7/1920 reports on the laying of a wreath “on a war shrine” at a memorial service.

2. Faculty allows for the words “Remember the love of them who came not home from the war”

3. The inscription on the wreath from the Ovingham Comrades of the Great War was “Sleep lightly, lads, for you are for the King’s Guard at Daybreak”.

Historic England Listing

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

Haltwhistle Echo
08/04/1921 reports unveiling.

Hexham Courant
12/04/1996 feature 75 years ago mentions unveiling of memorial.

Illustrated Chronicle
01/04/1921 reports proposed unveiling;
06/04/1921 has photo after unveiling

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
09/04/1921 reports unveiling.

Diocese of Newcastle
Faculty No.739, 22/03/1921

The Story of Ovingham on Tyne: a village history Frank Atkinson, Northern Books, 2001, ISBN 0953 5730 1 X

Prudhoe Local History Society;
Sally Bird;
Philip Thirkell;
Janet Brown;
Colin N. Dallison;
Tony Harding;
Dorothy Hall

If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk