Memorial details

Memorial type
Cross
District
Tynedale
Town
Hexham
County
Northumberland
Country
England
Commemoration
First World War (1914-1918), Second World War (1939-1945), Second World War - civilians, First World War - civilians
Ceremony
  • Unveiled
    Date: 29 September 1921
    Attended by: His Royal Highness THE DUKE OF GLOUCESTER
  • Dedicated
    Date: 29 September 1921
    Attended by: The Rector, Rev. J.V.C. Farquhar .
  • Show More (1)
Lost
Not lost
WM Reference
34059

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Current location

Town Park is adjacent to Hexham Abbey
Town Park
Beaumont Street
Hexham
Tynedale
Northumberland
NE46 3LZ
England

OS Grid Ref: NY 93471 64005
Denomination: Undefined

View location on Google Maps
Description
This is of the style of a CWGC Cross of Sacrifice, but was adapted to also be the principal war memorial of the town. Cross based on Blomfield type. Four octagonal steps of various depths and diminishing width are surmounted by a tall octagonal plinth, the whole base being about 2.43m (8 feet) high. This is topped by plain cross about 2.13m (7 feet) high, with a bronze sword mounted on the east face, the whole being 4.57m (15 feet) high. The names are carved into the stone on all eight sides of the top three parts below the cross, and are painted black. All lettering is in incised Roman capitals throughout. Old photos show that it was originally surrounded by a circle of small stones enclosing a paved area.
Inscription
On centre face, middle step: Here are inscribed / names which bid us / by service our / debt repay. On centre face, lower step: This cross and S. Wilfrid's / War Memorial Hospital / are dedicated to the / glorious memory of the / men of Hexham who laid / down their lives in the / Great Wars 1914-1918 / 1939-1945.
Inscription legible?
yes
Names on memorial
Abbott, F
Abbott, H
Abbott, T
Addison, A
Alder, W
Alexander, B
Allen, W
Allgood, B
Anderson, K
Annan, Hb
See details for all 329 names
Commemorations
  • First World War (1914-1918)
    Total names on memorial: 232
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 232
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: surname,rank,regiment, initials of forenames, decorations
    Order of information: regiment THEN rank THEN surname
  • Second World War (1939-1945)
    Total names on memorial: 92
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 92
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: surname,rank,regiment, initials of forenames, decorations
    Order of information: surname
  • Second World War - civilians
    Total names on memorial: 3
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 3
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: surname,rank,regiment, initials of forenames
    Order of information: surname
  • First World War - civilians
    Total names on memorial: 1
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 1
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: surname, initials of forenames, service
    Order of information: Undefined
Components
  • Cross
    Measurements: height 15FT
    Materials: Stone - Portland
Listing information
  • THE HEXHAM PARKS
  • Grade II
  • This memorial is protected, and listed on the National Heritage List for England maintained by Historic England. View list entry
  • More about listing and the protection of historic places can be found on the Historic England website
  • Historic England
Condition
History
CLEANED AND RE-CUT IN 1988
Costs

Site: £15,000

Trust fund/Scholarship
No
Purpose: Unknown or N/A
Sponsorship
Public
Responsibility
Hexham Town Council
Reference
  • Hexham Courant 14 February 1920 gives details of fund raising so far; Saturday, 1 October 1921 gives full report of the unveiling ceremony; (date unknown) gives an account of William Cresswell and the memorial at Kohima.
  • The NEWP project have access to Peace Celebrations leaflet appointing Committees to organise events and raise funds for the memorials; photocopies of assorted programmes of services in Hexham Abbey Thanksgiving for Cessation of Hostilities 17/11/1918; "Welcome Home" Service of Thanksgiving 27/4/1919; Special Memorial Service for all who have fallen during the War (24th Oct, year not stated)
  • Morpeth County Library Frith collection of photographs; Postcard collection contains photograph of unveiling;
  • Newcastle Central Library photographs c1935, 1954.
  • Alan Grint has researched the names on the Hexham memorials in his book The Faith and Fire Within, 2006, Ergo Press ISBN 0955275814
  • www.newmp.org.uk/detail.php?contentId=7593

This record comprises all information held by IWM’s War Memorials Register for this memorial. Where we hold a names list for the memorial, this information will be displayed on the memorial record. Please check back as we are adding more names to the database.

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© WMR-34059

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