Memorial

Plaque 1939-45 Durham Cables

Birtley Gateshead

Memorial Name: Plaque 1939-45 Durham Cables (B127.07)

NEWMP Ref No.: B127.07

Parish: Birtley Gateshead

Original Location:

A.E.I. Cables Ltd, Birtley (Closed 2017).

In entrance area

Past Location:

In private Hands 2017 to 2021.

Present Location:

Now in Birtley Library community area.

Which War:

1939-45

Materials Used:

Metal

Who Commissioned:

Durham Cables Ltd.

How Money was Raised:

Paid for by the Company.

Present Condition: Excellent

Ownership and Maintenance: Gateshead Council (Asset Register)

Inscription:

To the glory of God
and in memory of
the following members
of the staff of
Durham Cables Ltd.
who were killed
in action during the
Second World War
1939-1945

Memorial Description:

Plaque 19 inches high x 14 inches wide (480mm x 370 mm).

There is a single line border.

Names are listed in a single column.

All lettering is painted in white Roman capitals throughout.

Now with an added wooden frame.

Names:

8 names and regiments, one rank.
See transcript.

Notes:

1. The memorial bears the name Durham Cables Co which was later taken over by W.T. Henley. The administration building at the factory at Birtley was built in 1950 by Henleys, so the War Memorial predates 1950. In 1959 Henleys became part of AEI Cables Ltd.

2. The plaque is now placed next to a framed narrative of how Dennis Donnini won his V.C.

3. The Memorial has now been relocated into the Community Room at Birtley Library from July 2026.

4. The name of Dennis Donnini who won a Victoria Cross is on this Memorial. See his Every Name a Story entry.

Sources:

Photos: Dorothy Hall, Jean Atkinson