Pavilion 1914-18 1939-45 Rugby F.C.

Rugby Football Ground at Hollow Drift.

a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45

Opened 10th April 1950 by E. Watts Moses of Sunderland, an old Dunelmian and President of the R.F.C.;
Dedicated by Canon Thurlow, Rector of St. Margaret.

Brick. Asbestos. Metal plaque.

£1,500

Built by Messrs. Dixon Elliott, whose principal, Mr. H. Elliott, was a member of the club.

This stand was erected
to the memory of
those playing members
of the
Durham City Rugby
Football Club
who gave their lives for
their King and Country
in the two World Wars
1914-1918 and 1939-1945
and this plaque is set
to declare their glory in a
place which they all loved.

Open sided brick stand with pitched asbestos roof.

On the wall at the front of the clubhouse is a plaque of metal 48 inches high x 24 inches wide (122cms x 61cms) with a plain raised border.

At centre bottom is a cross raised in casting with a crown above each arm.

Inside the cross are the names of those who died.

All lettering is in raised Roman capitals.

1. The stand now appears barely adequate, but it was built at a time of great shortages and building licences.

2. It was opened “in a gale accompanied by snow, rain and sleet”.

3. The pavilion was opened on the club’s 78th year.

4. The previous grandstand was in very poor condition and in 1942 a gale caused serious damage. It was sold, and after V.E. Day it was suggested that a new grandstand be erected as a war memorial.

5. The club received an anonymous of a loan of £500. If the club succeeded in raising another £1,000 in the next year, the £500 would become a gift, which is what happened.

6. The clubhouse was ?rebuilt and re-opened in 1992

Photo of plaque: C. Sanders; photo of pavilion: Simon Raine;
old b/w photo of the New Memorial Stand: source unknown

Durham County Advertiser
10/04/1950

Souvenir booklet of the opening.

A History of North Durham R.F.C. 1876-1998 Tom Millen.

Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale;
C. Sanders;
Tony Harding

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