Pillar 1914-18 1939-45 Afghanistan Church Green

Church Green, Front Street

a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45
c. Afghanistan

a. Foundation stone laid 1st April 1922;
dedicatory prayer given by Rev. C.E. Little.
Memorial unveiled 19th August 1922 by Col. R.H. Carr-Ellison, C.M.G.; dedicated by Rev. C.E. Little

Creetown Granite

War Memorial and Recognition Committee

Ground given by Col. R.H. Carr-Ellison.

Designed by J.B. Renton of Whickham;
made by H.S. Turner of Gateshead.

a.
To the glory of God
and in
memory of
the men of the
village of Whickham
who gave their lives
in the Great War
1914-1919
They died for liberty and
honour.
Lest We Forget.

Foundation stone laid 1st April 1922
and
Memorial unveiled 19th August 1922
by
Col. R.H. Carr Ellison C.M.G.

b.
Second World War
1939-1945

c.
Afghanistan

Left hand bench
Presented to the People of Whickham
In loving memory of
Nancy McAlwane 1929 – 2012
Sid McAlwane R.E.A.

Right hand bench
Donated by
Mr Len Preston (Durham Light Infantry)
and Mrs Win Preston
11.11.2016

Pillar, divided into three sections, with arched centre top.

The central front panel carries a cross in half relief, below which is a carved scroll bearing the dedication.

Below this are the words “Second World War”.

On the pedestal are the words “Lest we Forget”.

The names from 1914-8 are carried in a single column on each of the two flanking panels, and continue down one of the sides.

Three of these names have been added later.

The rear.
At the top of the central panel is a laurel wreath with a sword below, both in half relief.

The names from 1939-1945 are carried in a single columns on each of the flanking panels.

The name from Afghanistan is on the left side of the pillar

On the pedestal at the reverse side are the details of the unveiling.

The sides both have the laurel wreath in half relief at the top.

All lettering is incised and painted black.

The names are in sans serif capitals.

The dedication is in a mixture of Old English, fancy capitals and lower case lettering.

Two memorial benches have been added behind the pillar.

1. Col. Carr-Ellison was presented with a silver trowel after laying the foundation stone.

2. Two war widows, Mrs. Arthurs and Mrs. Bell, laid wreaths on behalf of the mothers and orphans of Whickham. “The last to pay tribute was a small boy who brought a bunch of marguerites straight from the fields. Col. Carr-Ellison took the laddie by the hand and conducted him to the memorial where he placed his flowers”.

3. At the foundation stone laying ceremony, Mr. A. Ford and Mr. A. Lawson, who both were awarded the M.M., were each given a wristwatch and a wallet of Treasury notes.

4. At the same ceremony, a time capsule containing coins of the realm and newspapers was placed in a cavity beneath the stone.

Historic England Listing

Photos: Ann Graham; Dorothy Hall; Kevin Milburn; Tony Harding

Alnwick & County Gazette
08/04/1922 report laying of foundation stone on 4th April 1922

Blaydon Courier
26/08/1922 reports unveiling.

Consett Guardian
01/09/1922 reports unveiling.

Illustrated Chronicle
02/02/1922 shows drawing;
07/03/1922 reports proposed laying of foundations;
03/03/1922 reports proposed laying of foundation stone;
03/04/1922 reports foundation laying with pictures;
21/08/1922 reports unveiling with photos.

Newcastle Daily Chronicle
31/01/1922 reports approval of plans for memorial;
07/03/1922 reports progress;
01/04/1922 reports proposed laying of foundation stone;
03/04/1922 reports laying of foundation stone.

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
08/04/1922 reports laying of foundation stones;
26/08/1922 reports unveiling

Northern Echo
07/03/1922 reports donation of site;
03/04/1922 reports laying of foundation stone;
21/08/1922 briefly reports the unveiling

Stanley and Consett News
06/04/1922 reports laying of foundation stone.

Source of quotation
Lest we forget” Recessional Rudyard Kipling.

Ethel & Neville Armstrong, Whickham & District L.H.S.;
J. Brown;
Ann Graham;
Dorothy Hall;
Kevin Milburn;
Tony Harding

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