Memorial

Plaque Fallen 1914-18 St. James’s Presbyterian

Alnwick

Memorial Name: Plaque Fallen 1914-18 St. James Presbyterian (A11.13)

NEWMP Ref No.: A11.13

Parish: Alnwick

Original Location:

St. James’ Presbyterian Church, Pottergate. (now United Reformed)

Which War:

1914-1918

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

Unveiled 12th September 1920 by the Duke of Northumberland.
Dedicated by Rev. J. Reavley.

Materials Used:

Black Belgian marble pattress, white marble from Sicily and mouldings of green Swedish marble.

Sculptor, Artist or Designer:

Thomas Watson & Son, Alnwick.

Inscription:

1914-18
To the Glory of God
In thankfulness for victory, and in
grateful memory of the men belonging to this
Congregation, who fell in the Great War.
We shall remember them, they played a man’s part.
Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Memorial Description:

Plaque on black pattress with pointed top, 45 inches high at tallest point x 36 inches wide (1140 mm x 914 mm), and divided into two parts.

The date and cross are in the top smaller section, with the words “To the Glory of God”.

The dedication and names are in the main part, the names listed in two columns in Roman capitals and the dedication in sans serif capitals.

The quotations beneath the names are in upper case italics.

All lettering is incised and painted black.

There is a shelf at the bottom.

Names:

11 Surnames and Christian names.
See transcript.

Notes:

1. St.James’s Church has been redesigned inside. All the memorials are now in a dedicated place at the top of the stairs, funded by War Memorials Trust.

2 During the Second World War St. James’s was designated the official church for non-conformist soldiers stationed in the district.

3 The building, along with others, was used to provide for the needs of Belgian refugees who were staying in Alnwick. The houses in which they lived had a frontage on Bondgate Without, now demolished.

External Links:

Bailiffgate WW1 Database

Sources:

Photos: Tony Harding; Janet Brown

Alnwick and County Gazette
07/08/1920 reports proposed unveiling 7th September 1920;
18/09/1920 carries report of unveiling with photograph of those who took part.

Illustrated Chronicle
13/09/1920 reports unveiling.

Morpeth Herald
13/08/1920 reports proposed unveiling;
17/09/1920 reports unveiling.
(Available on The British Newspaper Archive)

Newcastle Daily Chronicle
07/08/1920 reports Duke of Northumberland is to unveil the plaque;
13/09/1920 reports unveiling.

Newcastle Daily Journal
13/09/1920 reports unveiling.

Newcastle Daily News
21/08/1920 reports that Duke of Northumberland will unveil the plaque.

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
18/09/1920 reports unveiling.

North Mail
13/09/1920 reports unveiling.

A History of St. James’ United Reformed Church, Alnwick, incorporating Lisburn Street and Clayport Street Presbyterian Churches; Jane Straker M.B.E. Tercentenary 1689-1989

Sources of quotations:
“We shall remember them” : ‘For the Fallen’ Lawrence Binyon;
“Greater love hath no man than this . . .” : St. John 15 v 13.