Second World War Memorial

Second World War Memorial

Second World War Memorial

First and Second World War Memorial

This war memorial was listed Grade II in 2016 with the following description:
'The memorial stands at the southern side of Lemington Cemetery close to the path. In Glencoe granite, the circa 5m tall monument takes the form of a Celtic cross rising from a substantial tapering pedestal. The pedestal stands on a two-stage base. The front face of the wheel-head and upper part of the cross shaft are decorated with carved interlace patterns.
The principal dedicatory inscription on the front face of the pedestal reads IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE FOLLOWING/ INHABITANTS OF LEMINGTON, WHO LAID DOWN/ THEIR LIVES FOR KING AND COUNTRY IN/ THE GREAT WAR 1914-18 with names recorded below and on the pedestal sides.'
Unveiled 30th April 1921 by Major General Sir Percy Wilkinson. 14 feet high. 76 names are listed. Sculptor was R. Whitehouse of Newcastle.

First World War Memorial

Unveiled 12th July 1981 by Coun. Chris Wheatley, Mayor of Newcastle. A sandstone wall with two flanking walls, enclosing a small garden. There are two wooden seats displaying the badge of the Durham Light Infantry. There are three plaques to the 5th Durham Rifle Volunteers and the central panel has the date AD 1886. The left plaque has a dedication to and the badge of the DLI. "IN MEMORY OF 1419 OFFICERS AND OTHER RANKS WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN WAR FROM 1900 TO 1945 EACH A SON OF THE 9TH BATTALION THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY T.A. FAITHFUL". The right plaque reads "THESE STONES WERE RECOVERED FROM THE DRILL HALL IN BURT TERRACE HOME OF THE 9TH BATTALION THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY T.A. DEDICATED AD JULY 1981". The stones were taken from an arch above a window in the north gable of the drill hall. The memorial replaces one in St. Mary's Church which was destroyed by fire in 1979.

Unveiled 1st October 1921 by Lt Col FR Simpson. Sandstone obelisk on a square plinth on a three-stepped based set in a paved area with a chain link fence. The words "PRO PATRIA" are inscribed at the base of the obelisk above a laurel wreath. "SEE TO IT THAT THESE SHALL NOT HAVE DIED IN VAIN/ THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE./ IN THANKFUL RECOGNITION OF THE MEN WHO GAVE THEIR SERVICES AND IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR./ ERECTED BY THE INHABITANTS OF GREENSIDE FOR RIGHT, FOR FREEDOM AND FOR PEACE 1939-1945". Sculptor was D. Morrison of Gateshead. 26 names of men from World War II added as well as a soldier who died in Afganistan in 2005. Designated Grade II in 2016 for historic and architectural interest.GRADE II LISTED

The High Spen War Memorial was listed Grade II in 2016 with the following description:
The memorial was unveiled on 19 July 1920 by F Priestman and dedicated by Bishop Welldon, in commemoration of 91 local servicemen who died in the First World War and one who died in 1920, presumably of the effects of wounds. The memorial cost £340, raised by public subscription, and was provided by RB Aves of Newcastle. Following the Second World War the details of 35 men who died in that conflict were added. The name of a soldier who died in Afghanistan in 2007 has also been added.
Details
The memorial stands in the churchyard of St Patrick’s Church (not listed), in the driveway off Lintzford Lane. The light grey granite memorial, c4.5m tall, takes the form of a wheel-head cross standing on a tall pedestal, square on plan. A sheathed sword, carved in low relief, appears hung from its belt on the front of the wheel-head. The pedestal stands on a stepped base. The monument is surrounded by a square kerbed enclosure with low pyramidal pillars at each corner.
Each face of the pedestal is divided into two recessed panels, containing dark stone plaques. First World War names are recorded in each upper panel, with Second World War names in the lower panels. The principal dedicatory inscription is found in the upper panel on the front face, reading BY THE LONG ROAD THEY TROD/ WITH SO MUCH FAITH AND WITH/ SUCH SELF-SACRIFICING BRAVERY/ WE HAVE ARRIVED AT VICTORY/ AND TODAY THEY HAVE THEIR REWARD (NAMES). The details of the soldier who died in 2007 are incised into the kerb, at the front of the memorial.
NB The HER has recorded a slightly different dedication text:
"BY THE LONG ROAD THEY TROD WITH SO MUCH FAITH AND WITH SUCH SELF-SACRIFICING BRAVERY WE HAVE ARRIVED AT VICTORY AND TODAY THEY HAVE THEIR REWARD THEY DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE 1939-1945 COMMISSIONED BY MINERS OF SPEN AND VICTORIA COLLIERIES AND BRITISH LEGION, HIGH SPEN BRANCH".

First and Second World War Memorial