Eldon War Memorial

Eldon War Memorial, St Mark's Churchyard, High Street, Eldon, County Durham, DL14 8US

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Overview

War memorial, erected 1921, with additional Second World War inscriptions. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1452756
Date first listed:: 08-Feb-2018
List Entry Name:: Eldon War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Eldon War Memorial, St Mark's Churchyard, High Street, Eldon, County Durham, DL14 8US

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1452756
Date first listed:: 08-Feb-2018
List Entry Name:: Eldon War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: Eldon War Memorial, St Mark's Churchyard, High Street, Eldon, County Durham, DL14 8US

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: Eldon War Memorial, St Mark's Churchyard, High Street, Eldon, County Durham, DL14 8US

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:: County Durham (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Eldon
National Grid Reference:: NZ2293827703

Summary

War memorial, erected 1921, with additional Second World War inscriptions.

Reasons for Designation

Eldon War Memorial, erected 1921, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Historic interest:

* as an eloquent witness to the tragic impacts of world events on this mining community, and the sacrifices it made in the conflicts of the C20.

Architectural interest:

* it is a dignified monument executed in good quality materials, which provides an elegant and fitting tribute to the Fallen of the district from both World Wars.

History

The Eldon war memorial was erected as a memorial to the 133 men of the Eldon District (Eldon, Old Eldon, and Eldon Lane) who fell during the First World War. The memorial was paid for by subscription and designed by architects Kellett and Clayton, of Bishop Auckland. It was unveiled and dedicated on Sunday 24 September 1921 at a ceremony, which was attended by large crowds and a great many miners from the Eldon Lodge of the Durham Miner’s Association. A timber platform had been erected for the dignitaries, including the Bishop Herbert Hensley Henson (Bishop of Durham), Reverend John Francis Clayton (Domestic Chaplain to the Bishop of Durham), Lord Gainford (Liberal politician), Ben Spoor (Labour Party Member of Parliament for Bishop Auckland), and a County Councillor. Following a short sermon given by the Rev Clayton, the memorial was unveiled by Lord Gainford, and the Bishop dedicated it; further speeches were then followed by the Dead March, the Last Post, and the Benediction, drawing the proceedings to a close. The memorial was re-dedicated in 1956, when the four panels on the base received additional inscriptions, commemorating the 37 men killed during the Second World War. The memorial was restored in 2004.

Details

War memorial, erected 1921, with Second World War additions

MATERIALS: granite cross and base on a stepped Yorkstone podium.

DESCRIPTION: this war memorial stands within the north-eastern corner of the churchyard of the Church of St Mark. The memorial comprises an octagonal granite column, surmounted by a Gothic crucifix, with a rectangular base, set on a carved crenelated corbelled octagonal cornice. The chamfered sides of the column have rounded stops and it has a rectangular base with chamfered edges to the front and rear, which has leaded letters that read SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF / THE MEN OF THIS DISTRICT WHO GAVE / THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR. / 1914-1918. The column is mounted on a pedestal that has canted plain panels to the front and back and framed recessed panels to the two sides, raised on a staged pedestal base; the upper stage widens slightly to the base, while the lower base is formed by a rectangular plinth with projecting square corners with inclined panels set between. The front and rear panels of the pedestal record the names of the Fallen from the First World War in three columns and the side panels in two columns; the columns of names on the side panels and one on the rear panel extend down onto the upper stage of the pedestal base. The front panel of the upper stage has leaded letters that read ''THEY DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE IN FREEDOM AND PEACE” / ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION. The inclined front panel of the lower stage of the pedestal base has leaded letters that read ALSO OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN / THE SECOND WORLD WAR 1939-1945. All of the inclined panels record the names of the Fallen from the Second World War and three names are recorded on the square projecting corners. The granite memorial stands on a rectangular stepped stone podium, surfaced with paving slabs and edging stones.

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Online. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 27 February 2018.

Sources

Websites
Eldon (Co. Durham) - The Yorkshire Regiment, Local War Memorials, accessed 24 November 2017 from www.ww1-yorkshires.org.uk/html-files/eldon-co-durham.htm
Keys to the Past - War Memorial cottages, High Street, Eldon, accessed 12 December 2017 from http://www.keystothepast.info/article/10339/Site-Details?PRN=D49226
War Memorials Online, accessed 27 February 2018 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/256519
Other
Journal of Bishop Herbert Hensley Henson

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.