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Stargate War Memorial « Back
Stargate War Memorial

It was recorded that an interesting event, though tinged with sadness, in the history of the little mining village of Stargate, took place on Saturday, 14th February 1920, when the handsome memorial was erected to perpetuate the memory of the eleven heroes from the village who fell in the Great War, was unveiled by Lieutenant Colonel F. R. Simpson in the presence of a large gathering of villagers.
Standing on a site at the northern entrance to the village, and abutting the main road way, the memorial takes the form of a circular monument in polished Aberdeen granite, with a base of Spanish freestone, and bears the inscription in imperishable lead writing: replica Rolex watches for men.
“Erected by the Stargate Welcome Home Association to the memory of the heroes whose names are recorded below, who served their country and sealed their love by death in the Great War.  August 1914 - November1918.  May their reward be as great as their sacrifices.”

Mr. Herdman, chairman of the Welcome Home Association,  presided, along with the secretary, Mr. Gribbins, and also present were - Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs. F. R. Simpson, Mr. William Whitely (representing the Durham Miners Association), Mr. William Rochester and others.
Prior to the unveiling ceremony appropriate music was rendered by the Emma Colliery Prize Brass Band.
The proceedings commenced with the procession of school children, headed by the Emma Band.  The children marched to the Crookhill Co-operative Hall where they were entertained to tea.

Following a movement of a vote of thanks by Mr. William Rochester, to the chairman and officials of the local Welcome Home Association, wreaths were placed on the monument by the relatives of the fallen and the proceedings terminated with the band playing the “National Anthem.”

Following the end of the 1939 45 conflict, a further twenty one names of those from the village and from Addison who lost their lives were added to the memorial.

SOURCES USED:

Blaydon Courier, 31st January 1920.
Blaydon Courier, 14th February 1920.
Blaydon Courier, 21st February 1920.

1914-18 MEMORIAL:

WILLIAM ARSCOTT.
JOHN W. BRANNER.
ROBERT CHARLTON.
THOMAS CARNAFFAN.
JOHN DOBBY.
GEORGE FAIRBRIDGE.
JESSE GRUNDY.
JOHN HOLLIDAY.
GEORGE W. HEADS.
JOHN G. MITCHELL.
EDWARD WATSON.

1939- 45

AIDAN AISTON.
CHARLES BEAUMONT.
NORMAN BROWN.
NORMAN CAIRNS.
JOHN COWINGS.
PETER DIXON.
ROBERT FAULDER.
JOHN FORSTER.
JAMES E. HARDY.
ERNEST HARRISON.
GEORGE HARRISON.
JOSEPH KELLY.
WILLIAM LIDDLE.
WILLIAM MARRS.
WILLIAM PARKER.
THOMAS C. PURVIS.
WILLIAM A. PURVIS.
ALEX. B. REED.
ROBERT W. ROCHESTER.
CHARLES V. SPENCER.
JOSEPH WATSON.

 
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