Memorial

Two plaques 7th D.L.I. 1914-18 Garrison Field Drill Hall

Sunderland

Memorial Name: Two plaques 7th D.L.I. 1914-18 Garrison Field Drill Hall (S140.081)

NEWMP Ref No.: S140.081

Parish: Sunderland

Original Location:

Garrison Field Drill Hall Sunderland

Present Location:

T.A. Centre.
The site location is the home of 251 Medical Squadron, 3 Medical Regiment, Army Reserves (Sunderland), Dykelands Road, Seaburn, Sunderland SR6 8DP

Which War:

1914-18

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

Unveiled 21st November 1920 by Cllr. Walter Raine, Mayor of Sunderland.
Dedicated by Rev. J.O. Aglionby,M.C. Military Chaplain.

Materials Used:

Brass plaques on wood pattress.

Who Commissioned:

7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

How Money was Raised:

7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

Sculptor, Artist or Designer:

Plaque 1 – R Youll, Sc.
Plaque 2 -Cowell & Gatiss

Inscription:

Plaque 1
IN MEMORIAM
to our comrades
the Officers, Warrant Officers,
Non-Commissioned Officers
and Men of the
7th Battalion
The Durham Light Infantry
who made the supreme sacrifice
in the Great War
1914 -1919

“The paths of glory lead but to the grave”

Plaque 2

Faithful unto Death
VII
This tablet is erected by the
Warrant-Officers, Staff-Sergeants
& Sergeants of the 7th Battalion
The Durham Light Infantry
to the memory of their gallant comrades
who sacrificed their lives for their
King and Country and the Cause of Right
in the Great War 1914 -1919

Memorial Description:

Plaque 1
Plaque set on pattress 24 inches square (608mm).

There is a border of twisted rope design culminating in roundels at the corners, and a half circle at top containing a crown.

Below this is the regimental badge.

The words “In memoriam” are in very elaborate letters.

The rest is in elongated sans serif capitals with the quotation in lower case, in black with some red initials.

Plaque 2

Plaque 36 inches high x 24inches wide (912mm x 608mm) set a moulded frame 4 inches (102mm) wider.

There is a hatched arch at the top with roundels at each end containing
(left) crossed gun and pickaxe and
(right) a unicorn’s head.

At each side is a fluted pillar with leaves at the top.

Each is bound with a ribbon naming the battle honours.

At the bottom of each is a soldier with head bowed over a reversed rifle.

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

All lettering is in sans serif upper and lower case.

Names:

Plaque 1 – None
Plaque 2 – 16 names and ranks.
See transcript.

Notes:

1. The 7th D.L.I. lost about 50 officers and 500 men.

2. Originally placed on view in the window in the Gas Company’s premises in Fawcett Street while permission was sought to have the memorials hung in Garrison Field Drill Hall in Livingstone Road.

3. The plaques were designed according to instructions from the Committee appointed from among those who returned from the Battalion.

Sources:

Photos: James Pasby; Dorothy Hall; C. Sanders; Alan Vickers; Neilson Giles; Laurence Bell

Newcastle Daily Chronicle
22/11/1920 reports unveiling.

Northern Echo
22/11/1920 reports dedication of a brass plaque

Source of quotation:
“The paths of glory lead but to the grave” Elegy written in a Country Churchyard Thomas Gray

Sources Link: Northern Echo 1920 11 22 Mon

Additional Research Documents

S140.081 Order of Service

Download

Research Acknowledgements:

James Pasby;
Dorothy Hall;
C. Sanders;
Alan Vickers;
Neilson Giles;
Laurence Bell;
Tony Redman;
Library and Museum Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham Sunderland