Obelisk 1914-18 1939-45 Town Centre

On an island at a road junction in the middle of the town.

Moved 1995.

a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45

a. Unveiled 5th August, 1923 by Lord Armstrong;
dedicated by Bishop Ormsby.

Granite throughout, granite guard posts; bronze decorations.

Designed by Reavell & Tebbs, Alnwick.
Construction included members of the Fordy family;
bronze plaque, sword and wreath by Birmingham Guild;
granite by Messrs. Nicol & Robinson, Newcastle;
chain by Messrs. Hill and Smith, Brierley Hill, Staffs.

a.
North Sunderland Parish
In memory
of those who fell in the War
1914-1918
(Names)

On pedestal below
This have I done for you.

b.
North Sunderland Parish
In memory
of those who fell in the war
1939-45
(Names)

Obelisk, of Cornish type, approx. 15 feet high, made of four blocks, tapering towards the top.

At the top of one side is a bronze sword, below which is a bronze wreath.

The obelisk rests on a pedestal which bears the bronze plaques, a matching pair on either side of the pedestal, both approx. 30 inches high x 48 inches wide (76cms x 122cms).

The pedestal is set on another wider, shallower step which bears the inscription “This have I done for you”.

This rests on a stone platform, the whole set within a low railing of granite blocks with a chain.

The names are in raised Roman capitals in four columns on both plaques.

1. It had been hoped that a memorial hall could be built, but insufficient funds were raised, although Alnwick Gazette reports £250 received for the monument and another £173 had been promised for the hall. Berwick Journal reports that a number of people withdrew pledges when it was found that a hall would not be built

2. Lord Crewe’s Trustees were to be asked to grant the site in front of the Bank and the Post Office at North Sunderland.

3. The delay in building the monument had resulted in an additional £25 earned in interest.

4. The memorial was dismantled to allow for road works just 6 days before the 50th anniversary of VE Day 1995. It was temporarily re-erected at the entrance to the car park to allow for a wreath-laying ceremony. When re-erected it was a few feet away from its original site to allow for traffic movement.

5. In 1958 the Parish Council requested Northumberland County Council that the site of the war memorial become a traffic island, but this was turned down at first. However, when they looked at it again three months later, the N.C.C. agreed that it would curb parking during busy summer traffic periods.

6. “A scheme to prevent people sitting round the war memorial at Seahouses on the North Northumberland coast and eating takeaways has been hailed as a major success. Coun. Tony Hughes said there had recently been no evidence of visitors eating fish and chips beside the memorial. Berwick Borough Council has spent about £8,000 putting up railings and two gates round the memorial and £4,000 more is to be spent on providing new seating in the centre of the village” The Journal

Historic England Listing

Photos: J. Brown; P. Thirkell; Rev. Norman Taylor; old postcards: Tony Harding; Richard Judd

Alnwick & County Gazette
03/04/1920 reports lack of funds for memorial hall;
18/06/1921 gives progress report;
09/07/1921 reports that memorial may now be at Seahouses on site known as Boathouse Flat;
08/04/1922 reports two further possible sites, £316 had been collected;
01/07/1922 reports details.

Alnwick & County Gazette & Guardian
04/08/1923 reports proposed unveiling.

Alnwick Gazette Almanack
1916 carries photo of soldiers in a tea tent at the Military Sport (See Parish Page); also a photo of Sgt. H.T. Patterson with three other non-commissioned officers. Also portrait of L/Cpl. Thos. Cuthbertson, killed in action.

Berwick Journal
09/08/1923 reports unveiling and withdrawal of pledges

Daily Telegraph
04/05/1995 reports the removal of the memorial before VE 50th Anniversary.

Illustrated Chronicle
06/08/1923 reports unveiling with photos.

Newcastle Daily Journal
03/04/1920 reports insufficient funds to provide memorial hall;
20/04/1920 reports decision that the hall was too big, and to aim for a cross or other monument.

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
reports decision on design; 11/08/1923 reports unveiling.

Northumberland Gazette
12/03/1995 reports resignation of two Councillors over VE 50th anniversary row;
08/05/1995 reports story of dismantling and re-erection with photograph;
09/03/2006 reports proposals to place a fence & garden round the memorial.

The Journal
03/05/1995 reports dismantling memorial just 6 days before the VE 50th anniversary;
04/05/1995 reports re-erection of memorial in time for VE 50th anniversary;
09/05/1995 reports wreath laying ceremony;
07/10/2006 reports prevention of people sitting on the memorial in Note 6 above.

Northumberland County Council
Minutes for 16/06/1958 and 15/09/1958 refer to decision in Note 6 above.

Morpeth County Library
 Frith collection of photographs; Postcard collection

Source of quotation
“This have I done for you” Domenico Feti painting titled ‘Ecce Homo’, “Behold the Man.” It portrays the crucified Christ with the legend, “This have I done for you – Now what will you do for me?”

Rev. N. Taylor (N. Sunderland and Seahouses L.H.S.);
Janet Brown;
Michael Newrick;
Tony Harding;
Association of Northumberland Local History Societies;
Dorothy Hall;
Colin Wakeling

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