Fountain South Africa 1899-1902 Village Green

At cross-roads in middle of village.

Manchester Square, facing south.

Moved to present position in 1950s as it had become a hazard to traffic.

It was restored 1999.

South Africa 1899-1902

Stone and granite.

Made by John Milburn of Hexham

Erected
in honour of the following local members of
Yeomanry and volunteers who fought in the
Boer War 1900-1-2.

Statue, total height is 14-15 feet (4.5m), and 50 inches square (127cms) at base.

It stands on a stepped base 11 feet x 12 feet (3.3m x 3.7m).

It depicts a fusilier in full South African kit complete with Lee Enfield rifle, standing on a stone plinth, beneath a stone canopy supported by four polished granite pillars.

On the front face a panel of polished granite 25 inches high x 21 inches wide(66cms x 53cms) has been inserted, bearing the dedication and names in three columns, divided between “Yeomanry” and “Volunteers” both of which words are in italics.

The lettering of the dedication and names is in Roman capitals, and all lettering is of lead placed onto the surface.

On the side, a smaller similar panel 18 inches high x 11 inches wide (46cms x 28cms) has been inserted, bearing more names under the same headings.

Beside the fountain is a stainless steel slender drinking fountain.

The original statue was a drinking fountain, now obviously disused.

1. All those named on the monument are thought to have returned safely home.

2. In 1946 the Northumberland County Council reported that the memorial was situated in the middle of the road opposite Woodburn Road End. It was agreed to move it to a site outside the Town Hall.

3. In 1959 Northumberland County Council reported that the war memorial was sited in a carriageway of the main road opposite the junction of the road to West Woodburn. There are two “Keep Left” signs on the memorial, but it cannot be used as a roundabout and traffic conditions are potentially dangerous. A scheme from the Police to remove it to another site met with local opposition.

4. The decision was made to move the memorial “to the gun site outside the town hall”.

5. In 1999, restoration was made with help from Friends of War Memorials to commemorate both the centenary of the start of the South African War in 1899 and also to commemorate the new Millennium. A new lamp was placed on the top and a new drinking fountain placed alongside. Local schoolchildren were involved with the project.

6. Friends of War Memorials (now War Memorials Trust) gave a grant of £250 towards the cost of restoration.

Historic England Listing

Photo showing statue in its original position: Bellingham & N. Tyne LHS;
photos inc. modern drinking fountain: J. Brown:
old postcard: Tony Harding;
Photo of memorial in original location in possession of Mrs. Alison Williams, and photo showing unveiling ceremony was in the possession of the late Mrs. Angela Allen;
old photograph showing memorial located outside the Rose and Crown, provided by Mrs. Pauline Sanderson of Hexham.

Hexham Courant
feature 75 years ago reports information in Note 4 above.

Newcastle Central Library
Boer War Memorial Illus. (NND, Vol. I, page 115, 1954; photo 1912; photo 1966.

Curiosities of the British Street Troughs and Drinking Fountains (Philip Davies; Chatto and Windus, London, 1989)

Morpeth County Library
Frith collection of photographs showing monument in original location; Postcard collection gives a long view in former position.

Northumberland County Council
Minutes 30/09/1946 reported information in note 2 above.
15/06/1959 gives information in Note 3 above.

Friends of War Memorials Newsletter No.6 Summer 2000

Bellingham & North Tyne Local History Society;
Nick Short, Hexham;
Philip Thirkell;
Mrs. Pauline Sanderson;
Ralph W. Gould;
Colin N. Dallison;
Janet Brown;
Tony Harding;
Dr. Tony Power

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