Showcase result

Newton on the Moor

This memorial now consists of two marble plaques inlaid with lead lettering and designs, with sandstone surrounds and embellishment. The memorial is embedded on the exterior of the front gabled elevation of the village Jubilee Hall; located right of the door and in central alignment with the window above and the roof apex. The original plaque is a portrait orientated rectangle inscribed as both a Roll of Honour and commemoration to those who fought and died in the First World War. The sandstone surrounds are plain, whilst the upper embellishment is in the form of a plain engraved lintel above which are three blocks; the outer two of equal but smaller size are engraved with the dates of the First World War, on the larger central block is mounted a bronze laurel wreath. The Hall dates to the late 19th century and is Grade II listed; the memorial is mentioned in the listing description.

In 2011, a grant of £120 was offered through the Small Grants Scheme towards the addition of a small plaque beneath the existing to commemorate those killed in the Second World War as the names could not be accommodated on the original memorial. The new plaque is of matching style, materials and lettering to that of the original First World War plaque. The plaque was secured with stainless steel dowels then bedded with lime mortar to match the existing in texture and colour. The surrounding wall’s stonework was made good with pointing in lime mortar to match existing. As the Hall is listed, Listed Building Consent was required for the addition.

The architect for the original First World War memorial was Mr Easton, for which he took no payment. The craftsmen were Thomas Watson & Son of Alnwick. The original plaque was unveiled by Viscount Grey of Falloden on 26th September 1920. Articles reporting this ceremony appeared in a number of local publications.

A ceremony of dedication was held for the additional plaque on 17th September 2011. The introduction was given by Mr David Rixon, Chair of the Parish Council followed by Mr C Baker-Creswell who summarised the military careers of the two men commemorated. The hymn ‘O God our help in ages past’ was then sung. This was followed by the Act of Remembrance conducted by the parish Minister, with readings by Mr Ralph Creswell and the Minister, and a short address by the Reverend Canon Colin Gough. The memorial was unveiled by Deputy Lieutenant Mr McArthur. The Act of Dedication was given by the Rev Gough who also read the Exhortation after wreaths were laid. There then followed the Last Post and a silence, after which the Act of Commitment was given by the Minister which ended with the Lord’s Prayer. The National Anthem was then played and the ceremony concluded with the Blessing by the Rev Gough.

The outer upper-most stone blocks are engraved “1914” and “1918” left and right respectively. The lintel below is carved in relief “The Great War”.

The original plaque is inscribed:

“Newton-on-the-Moor
Roll of Honour”

Below which are the names of thirty-four men who served during the First World War and returned home. Below these, contained in a single-line bordered panel, are the names of a further four men who were killed. Also in this panel, within a pair of cross pattée, is inscribed “In Memoriam”.

The additional plaque is similarly fashioned with the inscription “World War II” flanked by cross pattée, with the names of two men killed beneath: John T. Pringle and Maj E. A. F. Widdrington M. C.

There are interesting familial associations with this memorial and Major E. A. F. Widdrington MC who was added as a casualty of the Second World War. Maj Widdrington is the son of Brigadier General B.F. Widdrington CMG DSO, who heads the First World War Roll of Honour, and brother of the previous owner of the Hall. He is also the nephew of aforementioned Viscount Grey of Falloden. Maj Widdrington commissioned into the 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, Royal Armoured Corps in 1935 with the rank of Lieutenant. In 1939 he was promoted to Captain and posted to the TransJordan Frontier Force as Squadron Officer. In 1943, after recovering from wounds, he was posted to the Queen’s Bays and then subsequently to the 2nd Special Air Service Regiment in Italy. On 12th January 1944, Maj Widdrington participated in Operation Pomegranate, with the objective of destroying German Luftwaffe reconnaissance aircraft operating out of San Edigio airfield in Perugia, in support of the pending Allied landings at Anzio (Operation Shingle). After a successful mission that destroyed five German aircraft, Maj Widdrington was killed on 19th January 1944 when an unused ordnance that he was defusing exploded.

Further information

War Memorials Trust reference WM4186
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 33834

War Memorials Online: 90545

North East War Memorials Project: N21.01

The National Heritage List for England

If you have a concern about this memorial please contact the Trust on conservation@warmemorials.org

Return to search results | Start a new search