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The war memorial was erected on a site given as a gift by the Stella Coal Company to the residents of Greenside. It stands at the junction of the Coalburns and Spen roads. The memorial was designed and executed by Mr. D. Morrison (sculptor), of Gateshead. The stone was excavated from Greenlaw Quarry, Northumberland, and stands twenty feet high. On a slightly tapering four sided disc, which rests upon three heavy masoned bases, are the names of fifty seven of the fallen in deeply cut Roman letters, while below on the base are four appropriate texts. The bottom disc is heavily panelled with 1914-18 in raised figures. Rising from the disc is a richly moulded cap with four carved laurel wreaths, and mounted upon the cap is a tapering obelisk with the Latin text, “Pro Patria,” enclosed with a draped swag.
The unveiling and dedication ceremony took place on Saturday afternoon, 21st February 1920. A large gathering of relatives, friends, and officials of the various organisations were present to hear Lieutenant Colonel F.R. Simpson, of Hedgefield House, officially open the proceedings. A firing party from the 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, headed a procession which included members of Greenside Church Choir, the clergy, local ambulance men and nursing sisters, Emma Colliery Prize Brass Band, members of local Buffalo lodges, Rechabites, Boy Scouts, school children etc.
Mr. Joseph Collins, chairman of the war memorial committee, presided. Hymns were sung, after which the Rev. J. G. Benson, of Ryton, and the Rev. Tunnicliffe Shaw, of Prudhoe, offered prayers. The Rev. A. D. S. Smith, vicar of Greenside, read a portion of scripture, which was followed by the unveiling ceremony
Major Spencer Arnott, of Greenside House, supported by Lieutenant Colonel A. Henderson, CMG, TD, of Gateshead, publicly handed over the care of the memorial to Councillor Robert Wren, chairman of Ryton Urban District Council. Mr. James Robson, President of the Durham Miners Association, and Mr. William Whiteley (Labour candidate for the Division), presented to each nearest relative a memorial scroll. The memorial scrolls were presented on behalf of the Greenside Recognition Association.
Following the end of the 1939-45 conflict a further twenty seven names of those from the village who lost their lives were added to the memorial.
SOURCES USED:
Blaydon Courier, 1st October 1921.
Blaydon Courier, 8th October 1921.
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