Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled 1920 and moved in 1969.
Reasons for Designation
The war memorial cross of St Cuthbert’s Church, Newcastle upon Tyne, which stands in the churchyard of the Church of St Ann, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on this local community, and the sacrifices it has made in the First World War;
* Architectural interest: an intricately carved Portland stone memorial cross in the Celtic style;
* Degree of survival: unusually the memorial has not been adapted for Second World War commemoration, and thus retains is original design intent;
* Group value: with the Church of St Ann (Grade I-listed).
History
The aftermath of the First World War saw the biggest single wave of public commemoration ever with tens of thousands of memorials erected across the country. This was the result of both the huge impact on communities of the loss of three quarters of a million British lives, and also the official policy of not repatriating the dead: therefore the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was raised at St Cuthbert’s Church, Newcastle upon Tyne, as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
Details
The Portland stone memorial, c4m tall, stands in the churchyard of the Church of St Ann (Grade I-listed), to the south-west of the church tower. It takes the form of a wheel-head cross rising from a pedestal, square on plan. The pedestal stands on a two-stepped base.
End of official list entry
