Summary
First and Second World War Memorial, 1926 to the designs of J H Morton; sculpted in Portland stone by William Robertson Cliff of South Shields.
Reasons for Designation
South Shields War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Design: an attractive memorial in the form of a tall and slim Latin cross designed by the highly-regarded practice of Messrs J H Morton & Sons of South Shields.
History
This war memorial was commissioned by South Shields War Memorial Committee to commemorate the 3,000 men of the town who died in the First World War. It was erected in 1926 within the grounds of Ingham Infirmary at a cost of £1,105, 4s; the remainder of the money raised in the town was used to endow in perpetuity 24 cots for children at £500 per cot in a new wing of the infirmary. The memorial was designed by Messrs J H Morton & Sons of South Shields and the sculptor was William Robertson Cliff of South Shields. Joseph Hall Morton (1849-1923) practiced in South Shields and has a number of listed buildings on the National Heritage List for England, including several in South Shields. He was a workhouse specialist and was responsible for all or parts of several workhouses in the North of England and the Midlands.
Details
First and Second World War Memorial, 1926 to the designs of J H Morton; sculpted in Portland stone by William Robertson Cliff of South Shields.
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