Memorial 2 V.C.s 1914-18 Primary School

On a paved area in front of the school grounds of High Spen Primary School beside Hugar Road (B6315).

1914-18

Unveiled 8th July 2007 by Mr. Nigel Sherlock, Lord Lieutenant, Tyne & Wear.
dedicated by Rev. Stephen Hewitt, vicar, St.Patrick’s, High Spen.

Marble? Sandstone?

High Spen Community Association

Felicity Watts

On Main Stone
Lest
We
Forget
(Names)
Whose
bravery
saved
ten lives
1914-1918

First Blue Plaque
High Spen Resident
Lance Corporal
Frederick
William Dobson VC
1886 – 1935
awarded the
Victoria Cross
for Gallantry in the face
of the enemy during
the 1914 -1918 war.

Second Blue Plaque
High Spen Resident
Private
Thomas
Young VC
1895-1966
awarded the
Victoria Cross
for Gallantry in the face
of the enemy during
the 1914 -1918 war.

Seat Plaques
High Spen Community
Group
‘Lest We Forget’
2018

Two slabs, each 83 inches high x 39 inches wide (210cms x 100cms) standing in parallel.

On one, made of red metal, the shape of a soldier has been cut out in outline.

The other one is of white stone.

On the side facing the soldier is the dedication with names.

Lettering is incised using sans serif capitals throughout.

Between the words “Lest we forget” and the rest of the inscription is a bronze poppy.

On the back of the slab are handprints placed so that they echo the shape of the soldier, each in its own black irregular shaped sunken panel.

One of the handprints contains an outline of a VC cross, another has the DLI badge.

Between the two slabs are two mining tub tracks 78 inches long (2m) with three sleepers between.

The whole has been placed in a long bed of gravel.

On the wall of the school two sixteen inch (41cms) blue plaques have been fixed.

Beneath the blue plaques are three 48 inch long (122cms) seats.

Two have identical brass plaques 1½ inches high x 4 inches (4cms x 10cms) which bear the dedication

1. The tub rails and sleepers are a reminder that both men were miners.

2. The memorial represents the past towards the future.

3. The memorial has been deliberately placed so that at 11 am on 11th November the shadow of the soldier would fall on the pedestal.

4. The Heritage Lottery Fund logo is on the wall nearby.

5. “Two men from High Spen came back from the war having won the highest award for bravery in battle.
One of them, Tommy Young, a volunteer, returned to the village and the pit after the war and is buried in St. Patrick’s churchyard.
The other, Lance Corporal Dobson, a regular in the Coldstream Guards when the war started, left the regiment after [during] the war and died a pauper in Newcastle in 1935, [not 1941]. He was buried in Ryton Cemetery. A few years ago, in belated recognition of his distinguished war service, his old regiment erected a suitably inscribed stone on his grave”. Quoted from an unknown source. Updated 2016.

Photos: Dorothy Hall

Evening Chronicle
09/05/2000 carries an article on Thomas Young, and the restoration by the D.L.I. of his headstone, which had fallen into disrepair, and tells the story of how he won his V.C.;
30/01/2007 reports raising £32,000;
10/11/2007 reports proposed dedication tomorrow.

Gateshead Council News
Autumn 2018 two blue plaques to be added
Winter 2018 reports on blue plaques

High Spen News
Spring 2007 carries article about the memorial.

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
08/06/1918 carries a photo of Thomas Young and a report of how he won his V.C.

The Complete Victoria Cross: a full chronological record of all holders of Britain’s highest award for gallantry; Kevin Brazier, Pen and Sword; 2010; ISBN 1 84884150-7. page 185 is the entry on Private. Dobson; page 120 tells the story of Private Young and states that his real name was Morrell.

Dorothy Hall;
C. Sanders;
Kevin Milburn;
James Pasby

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