Fountain South Africa 1899-1902 Station Road

On a central plot near the Harmonic Hall abutting on the main high road.

Taken down in 1943 and never re-erected.

The components parts are said to be in a garden.

South Africa 1899-1902

Foundation stones laid June 27th 1902 by Mrs. W.J. Charlton, wife of the Chief Engineer of Ashington Coal Company, and of Ashington Council; and Mrs Daniel Robertson.

Unveiled October 25th 1902 by Mr J.D. Milburn of Newcastle (Ashington Coal Company)

Bothal stone with pink marble pillars.

Entire cost £185.
A balance of £70 was required at the time of the unveiling to complete this amount

Public subscription

Built by Mr William Beattie of Pegswood to the designs of Messrs Emley and Sons of Newcastle.

This monument has been erected by public subscription in honour of the Regulars, Reservists and Volunteers from Ashington Urban District who served in the South African War. 1902

Fountain, total height about 12 feet (3.7m)

This was on square based pedestal with four pillars rising from each corner supporting a clock with domed roof.

Below this the four pillars enclosed a space inside which contained a four-sided block on which the names and dedication were incised in a single column on each face.

On two sides of the main pedestal were pink marble sinks for water, with zinc cups on chains, and a horse trough on one side.

The whole stood on two sandstone steps.

1. Morpeth Herald 01/11/1902 reports Mr Milburn stating, there were 22 Regular Soldiers – one died and one was killed; 18 Reservists one killed and 24 Volunteers one died.

2. It is thought that some of the component stones are in the garden of one of the Councillors, believed now to be dead, who lived in a big house at the east end of South View, by Ashington Villa. Our researcher was told that the stones had been taken away and put on the tip, but they were rescued by the niece of the man who threw them out. The plaques with the names “should be under the French window”. at the big house, where the pillars were said to be used to support bird baths.

3. The grandfather of Mrs. Edna Ralph was one of those named on the monument.

4. The Health Authorities kept putting a ban on the drinking of the water, which came straight from the pit, and was not healthy. Until the Health Authority brought water from the Fontburn Reservoir, water was obtained from a standpipe in each terrace.

5. Various theories as to why it was taken down in 1943 included access for new coal depot. The most likely explanation is that it was considered to be a street hazard in the blackout in wartime.

6. “It was reported by the Surveyor at last Thursday’s meeting of the Ashington Urban Council that his staff had been able to decipher 81 names of those inscribed on the Boer War Memorial but there was one name they could not make out. The chairman asked the Press to give further publicity to the matter in the hope that some member of the public will be able to supply the missing name. A bottle containing a medal and a sheet of paper had been found in the structure but the paper had fallen to pieces and was of no assistance. Consideration of a plaque was deferred mean time.”

7. In 1919 a drumhead service was held to commemorate those who fell in 1914-18. At this service a wreath was laid by the Countess of Ravensworth in memory of those who fell in the Boer War. The collection taken at this service would form the nucleus of a fund which would be used to raise a memorial for the men who fell in the Great War. Another service was held in the following year when it was announced that the Great War Memorial would be an extension to the hospital.

Postcards postal dated 1904 and 1913: John S. Perry; Tony Harding; Peace Day 1919 George Nairn

Illustrated Chronicle
23/07/1919 carries photo of wreaths being laid in advance of the Peace Day celebrations following the Great War.

Morpeth Herald
05/07/1902 reports foundation stone laying;
11/10/1902 announces unveiling of 25th;
01/11/1902 reports unveiling with drawing.
(Available on The British Newspaper Archive)
15/10/1943 carries appeal for final name in Note 6 above.

Newcastle Daily Chronicle
03/11/1919 and 09/08/1920 report services in Note 7 above.

Ashington Library
black/white photograph of the unveiling ceremony (copyright Executors of A. Jensen, deceased).

Morpeth County Library
Postcard collection

Newcastle Central Library
photo of unveiling 1902 (Hayley Newspaper Cuttings Vol.2 page 190);
photo 1905

Ashington in Old Picture Postcards, Bill Harrison, European Library, 1983, carries three photographs of the fountain

Philip Thirkell;
Newcastle Central Library;
Mr. Pratt of Ashington;
Mr. & Mrs. Lillico of Stakeford;
George Holland of Ashington;
Mrs. Robson of Ashington;
Janet Brown;
Ashington Branch Library;
Peter Schofield;
Dorothy Hall;
Doreen Morton

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