Obelisk 1914-18 1939-45 Churchyard

Old Churchyard

a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45

a. Saturday 20th September 1919 by Rev.the Lord Thurlow.

Pink marble

Erected
by the parishioners and friends
of Castleside
in memory of those who fell
in the Great War
1914 – 1918

(Names)

“They answered the call of duty
they sleep among the brave
they sacrificed their precious lives
our British homes to save”.

Greater love hath no man than this
that a man lay down his life for his friends.

An obelisk of pink coloured marble, above a three tiered base with a stone foundation.

The names are on the sides of the pedestal and the risers in sans serif capitals.

Four concrete paths lead to the centre, each edged with scalloped kerbs.

At the base of each set of edging is a corner stone of pointed finished stone.

There is a circular stone kerb to the perimeter, which forms a shape of a wheel, with the monument as the centre point.

The four quarters of the sloping ground are grassed.

1. The Unveiling programme has an outside cover made to suit the individual event. The inside carries the title page “A Form of Service / for the Dedication of a Tablet / or other memorial / compiled by Rev.J. Jessop Teague, M.A. / Vicar of St. Stephen’s, Coleman St., E.C.” and is obviously designed as a standard form of worship for any memorial, not necessarily a war memorial.

2. A letter to the Blaydon Courier suggests that a meeting be held which will discuss projects such as a YMCA Hall, a memorial hall or an obelisk.

Historic England Listing

Photos: Errol Broomfield, Ron Carson, Simon Raine; Dorothy Hall

Blaydon Courier
08/02/1919 carries letter in Note 2 above.

Consett Guardian
26/09/1919 reports unveiling.

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
27/09/1919 reports unveiling.

Sources of quotations:
“They answered the call to duty . . .” Not ascertained.
“Greater love hath no man . . .” St.John 15 v 13;

Ron Carson;
Errol Broomfield;
Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale;
Dorothy Hall

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