Summary

Type War Memorial , War Memorial

An imposing Cenotaph structure at the junction of two main roads. Two ionic pilasters frame Goulden's art deco-style bronze relief of a warrior. The bronze door has Gateshead's coat of arms in relief above the lettering. The walls behind have two standard inscriptions to the memory of those killed in 1914-19 and 1939-45 wars. Inside is a room of remembrance with a lecturn upon which the book of names is always open. A public meeting held in 1920 decided to raise a subscription for a War Memorial, and that this should take the form of a Cenotaph. £5,500 was raised and special note was made of the 9,232 people who donated through house to house collection and of the 20,000 children who donated through their schools. The Souvenir Programme states that the happy end to 'the most terrible War . . . calls us to make the Memorial of such an impressive character as will keep before the eyes of future generations the knowledge of great deliverance'. The strong lines and Art Deco relief fulfill this function admirably, the bronze warrior depicting 'our "Manhood" in an attitude of "Defence", strong, motionless and unconquerable'. Full details of the Service of Dedication are provided in the Programme along with a 'Retrospect and Reminder' by noted local historian, John Oxberry.(1)

Inscriptions

Incised over door, Roman letters: MORS JANUA VITAE [death is the gate of life] Incised on block above this: IN MEMORY OF THE PEOPLE OF GATESHEAD / WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE / FOR THEIR COUNTRY. Relief lettering on bronze door: CAPUT INTER NUBILA CONDIT / IN THIS CHAMBER / ARE RECORDED THE / NAMES OF MEN OF / GATESHEAD WHO / GAVE THEIR LIVES / IN THE GREAT WAR / 1914-19 / THEIR NAME / LIVETH FOR / EVERMORE

Contributor details

Contributor	Role
Goulden, Richard	Sculptor
Spink, J.W.	Designer
Burton, Thames Ditton, A.B.	Foundry

Element details

Part of work	Material	Dimensions
Cenotaph	Heworth Burn Blue stone	1000cm high x 420cm wide
Relief and door	Bronze	200cm high x 94cm wide

PMSA recording information

Reference	Region
TWGA06	NE