Memorial

Cross and Gates 1914-18 1939-45 St. John’s Churchyard

Shotley Low Quarter

Memorial Name: Cross and Gates 1914-18 1939-45 St. John's Churchyard (S28.01)

NEWMP Ref No.: S28.01

Parish: Shotley Low Quarter

Original Location:

St. John’s Churchyard, Snod’s Edge on B6278

Which War:

a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

a. Unveiled 15th April 1922 by Dr. Clifton Browne, M.P. for Hexham;
dedicated by Dr. Wild, Bishop of Newcastle.

Materials Used:

Granite cross, oak gates.

How Money was Raised:

Public subscription.

Sculptor, Artist or Designer:

W. Ayton & Sons, Blackhill.

Inscription:

a.
In grateful memory of
the heroes of this parish
who nobly gave their lives
for God, King and Country,
in the Great War 1914-18.
(Names)
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man
lay down his life for his friends.”

b.
1939-1945

Memorial Description:

Cross of Maltese type with wheel and Celtic ornaments on tapering shaft resting on three-stepped pedestals.

Total height is 12 feet (3.7m).

The dedication for 1914-18 is on the front face of the top pedestal, the names are in two columns on the second and the quotation is on the lowest.

The dates “1939-1945” appear on the top pedestal on two further sides, with three names in a single column on one side of the pedestal and four names on the other.

Lettering is incised and filled with lead, using sans serif capitals throughout.

“Leading to the cross are two fine oak gates, which also form part of the memorial, and which have been erected largely by the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Mackay of Eddis Bridge, who gave a generous donation.”

Names:

a. 8 full names
b. 6 full names
See transcript.

Notes:

1. In the photo of the unveiling, two girls with long plaits are Miss Mary Stobbart on the left and Miss Mabel Hall on the right.

External Links:

Historic England Listing

Sources:

Photos: P. Thirkell, Tony Harding; Paul Graham; Dorothy Hall; postcard of unveiling: W. Smurthwaite, M.B.E.; postcard of gates and cross George Nairn

Illustrated Chronicle
17/04/1922 reports unveiling.

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
22/04/1922 reports unveiling.

Diocese of Newcastle Faculty o.761, 12/09/1921

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