Memorial Details
Memorial
Cross 1914-18 1939-45 Village Green
Reference
M2.01
Place
MATFEN
Map ref
NZ 031717
Original Location
Village Green.
Which war
a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45
b. 1939-45
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
a. Unveiled 1st May 1920 by Lt. Col. Sir Percy Wilkinson, KCB. Dedicated by Rev. H. Doudney, Vicar of Matfen.
Memorial Description
Cross of Celtic type, 16 feet high, of ring head type. There are three steps at base, with a larger square pedestal on top of this, on which the inscriptions are carved. Upon this is a narrow pedestal, on which is set the tall, slender cross. The first line of the dedication is carried on the riser at the top of the pedestal. The lettering is in Gothic for the dedication and quotation, and sans serif capitals for the names.
The whole is set on a green encircled by short stone posts holding a chain on two sides and low stone wall on the other two.
The whole is set on a green encircled by short stone posts holding a chain on two sides and low stone wall on the other two.
Materials used
Yorkshire freestone
Inscription
a. To the Glory of God, / and in grateful remembrance / of the men of this parish who gave their / lives for King and Country in the Great War.
b. Greater love hath no man / than this, that a man lay down / his life for his friends 1939-45.
b. Greater love hath no man / than this, that a man lay down / his life for his friends 1939-45.
Names
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
William Cresswell of Hexham.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: P. Thirkell; old postcard: Tony Harding
Newcastle Central Library Photo c1920;
Hexham Courant 22/11/1919 prints a list of names for approval by the public; 03/05/1920 reports unveiling.
Illustrated Chronicle 03/05/1920 reports unveiling with photos.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 08/05/1920 reports unveiling.
Hexham Weekly News 07/05/1920 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle 03/05/1920 reports unveiling.
Source of quotation
“Greater love hath no man . . .” St. John 15 v 13.
Newcastle Central Library Photo c1920;
Hexham Courant 22/11/1919 prints a list of names for approval by the public; 03/05/1920 reports unveiling.
Illustrated Chronicle 03/05/1920 reports unveiling with photos.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 08/05/1920 reports unveiling.
Hexham Weekly News 07/05/1920 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle 03/05/1920 reports unveiling.
Source of quotation
“Greater love hath no man . . .” St. John 15 v 13.
External web link
Links to Source Material :
Research acknowledgements
Mr. and Mrs. K. Southern; Janet Brown; P. Thirkell; Tony Harding; Dorothy Hall; Alan Wallace
Research In Progress
If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk
Cross 1914-18 1939-45 Village Green (M2.01)
MATFEN, Village green.
On the south face :
To the Glory of God
and in grateful remembrance of the men
of this parish who gave their lives for
King and Country in the Great War
1914-18
Arthur C. Akenhead
William Armstrong
Frederic G. Beattie
Thomas Brown
----------------------------------------
On the east face : On the west face :
Frederick Charlton Thomas I. Robson
William H. Chattaway William J. Robson
Thomas F. Graham William Rochester
George Graham George Russell, M.M.
Andrew R. Hall Thomas M.M. Scott, “ “
William C. Howe James W. Shaw
Frederick T. Leathard Richard T. Strong
John L. Longstaff John W. Thompson
John Robson John Wilkinson
----------------------------------------
On the north face :
Greater love hath no man than this
that a man lay down his life
for his friends.
1939-1945
John R. Cowan George Ross
Roland N. Mills
NamesM2.01
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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