Plaque N.E.R. Staff 1914-18 Accountants Staff

Accountants’ Freight Office, Forth Banks Newcastle, Neville Street, in the porchway.

British Transport Police Offices. Central Station

Later Buffa Bear Nursery

The Little Pioneers Nursery and Pre-School, in the vestibule, at the top of the stairs.

1 Neville Street, Newcastle upon Tyne. NE1 5DP. NZ 245639.

1914-18

Unveiled 11th November 1921 by Viscount Grey of Falloden;
dedicated by Rev. A.E. Cornibeer, Vicar of St. John’s.

Bronze in marble surround.

Staff of Accountants Department

Staff of Accounts Dept. raised £250.

The architect was Mr. J.W. English, M.S.A., Corbridge
The plaque was designed and made by the Bromsgrove Guild.
Executed by Messrs. Lowes of Durham

N.E.R.
Pro Deo Pro Patria
In memory of our comrades
who gave their lives in
the cause of justice and right
in the Great War / 1914-1919.

“These laid the world away
Poured out the red sweet wine of youth
Gave up the years to be”.

Erected by the Staff of the Account’s Department

Plaque 48 inches high x 24 inches wide (121cms x 61cms) set into a marble frame.

The plaque itself is rectangular, but it is crested with an oval badge of the NER set in foliage.

On the central panel at the top is a ribbon raised in half relief, with a medallion at centre bearing St. George and the Dragon, and the words “Pro Deo” and “Pro Patria” on either side.

The same ribbon design is at the bottom, and bears the quotation in Gothic lettering.

The names are listed in two columns at the centre of the panel in raised Roman capitals, as are the details of the erectors which are at the very bottom.

There is a shelf at the bottom on which rests the 1939-45 Memorial NUT014.

1. From this office, there were 140 enlistments, from which 22 commissions were gained and 23 men died.

2. Viscount Grey of Falloden was a Director of the North Eastern Railway. Other directors present at the unveiling were Mr. L.E. Smith C.B.E., and Mr. A. Scholefield.

3. The Evening Chronicle 05/03/1984 carried a report on a proposal, (not acted upon), to move NUT010 and NUT014 to a location beside the station’s Left Luggage Office. In a follow-up article, on 19/03/1984 page 6 it was reported that “fear of vandalism” was the reason for the change of mind.

4. Professor Ben Bennett (December 2025) a scholar of the work of the Bromsgrove Guild writes:- I found an original factory photograph of this memorial in a little known archive in Hartlebury, Worcestershire. From the evidence, the item was designed and made in Bromsgrove. It is similar to a number of other Guild memorial plaques from this time. The order was made by a Mr J W English according to annotations on the picture. I think it unlikely that English designed it, but he surely had some involvement in deciding what elements to include.

Photos: Capt. D. Armstrong, Janet Brown

Evening Chronicle
05/03/1984;
19/03/1984

Illustrated Chronicle
12/11/1921 carries photos of unveiling.

Newcastle Daily Chronicle
11/11/1921 reports proposed unveiling this afternoon; 12/11/1921 reports unveiling.

Shields Daily News
12/11/1921 reports the dedication ceremony.

North Eastern Railway Magazine
1921

Source of quotation:
“These laid the world away . . .” : ‘For the Dead’ Rupert Brook

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