Memorial Details
Memorial
Obelisk 1914-18 Wesleyan Methodist Church
Reference
H125.13
Place
HETTON-LE-HOLE
Map ref
NZ 354474
Original Location
In the grounds of the Wesleyan Methodist Church,
by the side of the main Hetton-Houghton road.
by the side of the main Hetton-Houghton road.
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Unveiled 29th April 1922 by ex-Sergt.Major Henry Thwaite, an “Old Contemptible”
Memorial Description
Obelisk, almost 3.352m (11 feet) in height. The dedication is on the north face, starting on the shaft and running on down onto the pedestal. There is also a laurel wreath carved in half relief on the shaft.
Materials used
Brown Yorkshire stone.
Inscription
1914-1918 / In honour / to those who fought and fell / for freedom and their country.
Greater love hath no man than this / that a man lay down his life for his friend.
Names
Who commissioned
War Memorial Committee
How money was raised
Members. Lambton & Hetton Collieries provided and laid the concrete foundation.
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
Messrs. Wade Bros., sculptors, Houghton Road, Hetton le Hole.
Notes
1. There is a very poor photograph from which a limited amount can be made out. There would appear to be discrepancies between the newspaper transcript and what can be made out from the photo.
2. The newspaper article speaks about a “Roll of Honour” of those who served. What is not clear is whether the names of those who served were placed on the memorial itself, or whether this was a separate item altogether. The names of those who served are therefore included on this file.
3. The chapel was up for sale in July 1999.
4. Sgt. Major Henry Thwaites, who unveiled the obelisk, was Scottish, and joined the army in the same regiment as his father, Sergt. A. Thwaite of K.O.S.B. He enlisted in 1902 and went to Egypt, where he engaged with the Camel Corps. From there he moved to India, and took an active part in the arrangement of the Delhi Durbar. He returned in 1913 and took up residence in Hetton, being employed at the Post Office. He rejoined the K.O.S.B. in 1914 and was present at the Battles of Mons and 1st and 2nd Ypres. He was severely injured with a gun shot wound in the throat, sent home and discharged in 1917. He was awarded the Mons Star, with a clasp for being mentioned in despatches; the General Service Medal and the Allies Medal. At the time of the unveiling, he was a coal inspector to the Lambton & Hetton Coal Co., and son-in-law to Mr. Parr, one of the Hetton Wesleyan Church trustees.
2. The newspaper article speaks about a “Roll of Honour” of those who served. What is not clear is whether the names of those who served were placed on the memorial itself, or whether this was a separate item altogether. The names of those who served are therefore included on this file.
3. The chapel was up for sale in July 1999.
4. Sgt. Major Henry Thwaites, who unveiled the obelisk, was Scottish, and joined the army in the same regiment as his father, Sergt. A. Thwaite of K.O.S.B. He enlisted in 1902 and went to Egypt, where he engaged with the Camel Corps. From there he moved to India, and took an active part in the arrangement of the Delhi Durbar. He returned in 1913 and took up residence in Hetton, being employed at the Post Office. He rejoined the K.O.S.B. in 1914 and was present at the Battles of Mons and 1st and 2nd Ypres. He was severely injured with a gun shot wound in the throat, sent home and discharged in 1917. He was awarded the Mons Star, with a clasp for being mentioned in despatches; the General Service Medal and the Allies Medal. At the time of the unveiling, he was a coal inspector to the Lambton & Hetton Coal Co., and son-in-law to Mr. Parr, one of the Hetton Wesleyan Church trustees.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Durham Chronicle 05/05/1922 reports unveiling with photo shown here.
Northern Echo 01/05/1922 briefly reports unveiling.
Durham County Advertiser 05/05/1922 reports unveiling.
Sunderland Echo 01/05/1922 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle 01/05/1922 reports unveiling.
Northern Echo 01/05/1922 briefly reports unveiling.
Durham County Advertiser 05/05/1922 reports unveiling.
Sunderland Echo 01/05/1922 reports unveiling.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle 01/05/1922 reports unveiling.
External web link
Links to Source Material :
Research acknowledgements
Dorothy Hall; Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale
Research In Progress
If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk
Obelisk 1914-18 Wesleyan Methodist Church (H125.13)
HETTON LE HOLE Wesleyan Methodist Church.
This is an attempt to read a very poor
photograph in the press.
-------------------------------------------------------
On shaft
1914-1918
In
honour
(wreath)
----------------------------
On pedestal
to those who fought and fell
for freedom and their country.
2nd Lieut. Robinson, A.J., R.F.Corps
? Pte. Box, J.S., West Yorks
? “ Curry, A. ?Artillery
? “ Curry, R. ? D.L.I.
? “ Curry, G. West Yorks.
? “ Dolphin, G. Grenadier Guards.
? “ Hall, A.T. ? D.L.I.
? “ Hall, J.W., ?19th ?D.L.I.
? “ Hall, J.T. ? ?D.L.I.
? “ Riddell, J. ? D.L.I.
Greater love hath no man than this
that a man lay down his life for his friends.
----------------------
Roll of Honour
Thos. Hepple
Jos. Dixon
N. Curry
M. Foster
K. Parr)
F. Hodgson
H. Thwaite
John Dixon
G.D. Young
J. Lee
W. Lee
T.W. Tremble
N. Plummer
D. Hall
F. Plummer
J.R. Hawke
W. Dolphin
J.W. Robson
H.S. West
J.T. Day
J. Hall
W. Sanderson
W. Davidson
A. Lishman
Thos. Lishman (recipient of Belgian and Military Medals)
W.G. Richardson
E. Mason
T. Fickling
W. Carr
G. Carr
T. Brown
H. Davidson
N. Hallam
T. Dixon
F. Hawke
R. Hodgson
----------------------------
The names of the fallen from the newspaper read thus:
Lieut. A.J. Robinson, R.F.C.
Pte. J.S. Box, R.F.A.
Pte. A. Curry, H.A.C.
R. Curry, D.L.I.
G. Curry, West Yorks.
G. Dolphin, Grenadier Guards
A.T. Hall, D.L.I.
J.W. Hall, A.S.C.
J.T. Hall, D.L.I.
J. Riddell, D.L.I.
----------------------------
The Durham County Advertiser has A. Lishman as the recipient of the Belgian and Military Medals rather than Thomas Lishman.
NamesH125.13
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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