Memorial

Plaque 1914-18 Bridge End

Chester le Street

Memorial Name: Plaque 1914-18 Bridge End (C105.28)

NEWMP Ref No.: C105.28

Parish: Chester le Street

Original Location:

Town War Memorial at Bridge End

Present Location:

St. Mary & St. Cuthbert Churchyard. Church Chare.

One of several in a line mounted on an outside wall.

Which War:

1914-18

Materials Used:

Grey marble frame and white marble panel

Inscription:

1914-1918

Memorial Description:

Plaque set in a wide frame 18 inches high x 31 inches wide (46cms x84cms).

The dates “1914-1918” are carried in the lower border.

The central panel 12 inches high x 25 inches wide (30cms x 63cms) carries the names in two columns in sans serif capitals.

Names:

14 surnames and initials.
See transcript.

Notes:

1. The need for this memorial arose from a Council decision to demolish the public war memorial situated at the Bridge End at the North end of town. See C105.01 and C105.15

2. The wall specification was for feature wall 22 feet long, 84 inches high and two wings 55 inches high (6.7m x 213cms x 140cms). The large plaque would be mounted on the centre portion and two small plaques on wing walls.

3. The Diocesan Chancellor took a dim view of proposals to move “unwanted” memorials to the churchyard and his language in the correspondence is quite forceful, though he finally agreed the petition.

4. The name B. Kitchen is incorrect it should be Benjamin Hitchen.

Sources:

Photos: C. Sanders; Ian Cooper

Diocese of DurhamFaculty Books Contain details in a letter from U.D.C. to P.C.C. 09/07/1962.
Faculty number 4608 issued 18th September 1963.