Memorial

Reredos and Plaque 1914-18 St. Mary the Virgin

Shincliffe

Memorial Name: Reredos and Plaque 1914-18 St. Mary the Virgin (S123.02)

NEWMP Ref No.: S123.02

Parish: Shincliffe

Original Location:

Church of St. Mary the Virgin, off Willow Tree Avenue.

Present Location:

The reredos is on the wall in the nave instead of behind the altar.

The plaque hangs on a pillar in the nave.

Which War:

1914-18

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

Unveiled 9th May 1920 by Lord Ravensworth,
dedicated by Rev. J. Grove Ouseley, Rector of Shincliffe.

Materials Used:

Oak

Inscription:

Below reredos:
This reredos
was placed here
during the restoration of
1981
following the fire
on August 4th 1980.

On plaque:
The reredos in this
church is erected by
parishioners and
friends in memory of
those who gave their
lives in the Great War
1914-1919, namely
(names)

Grant unto them eternal rest, O Lord,
and let light perpetual shine upon them.

Memorial Description:

Reredos “with its three impressive and significant figures” and plaque.

The reredos is 80 inches high x 72 inches wide, (182cms x 213cms) with the centre panel raised higher than the two outer ones.

It is elaborately adorned with a border of vine leaves and grapes which are gilded.

The centre of each panel contains a painting, (left) depicting St. George, (right) St. Martin, (centre) the Annunciation.

Underneath are the words “Ave Gracia Plena Dominus Tecum” (Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you”)

Below this is a plain shelf 84 inches long (213cms) and below that a brass plaque 4 inches high x 7 inches wide (178mm x 102mm)

The plaque with the names is 26 inches high x 16 inches wide (647mm x 406mm).

The dedication on the plaque is in elaborate gilded capital letters.

The names are listed in two columns, divided by a vertical line.

Names:

23 full names.
See transcript.

Notes:

1. According to Durham Chronicle, at the unveiling service, “seats in the church were reserved for ex-servicemen, but the attendance was disappointing.”

Sources:

Photos: C. Sanders; James Pasby

Durham Chronicle
14/05/1920 reports unveiling.

Durham County Advertiser
14/05/1920 carries report of the unveiling.

Illustrated Chronicle
10/05/1920 reports unveiling.

Northern Echo
10/05/1920 reports unveiling.

North Mail
01/05/1920 carries a one sentence report on the unveiling.

Durham County Record Office
EP/Shi 2/22 Order of Service for unveiling.

Source of quotation
“Grant unto them eternal rest . . .” from Mass for the Dead