| West Hartlepool War Memorial | |
|---|---|
| Hartlepool Borough Council | |
 | |
| For Soldiers from West Hartlepool who fought inWorld War I | |
| Established | 1923 |
| Unveiled | 11 October 1923 |
| Location | 54°41′06″N1°12′52″W / 54.6850°N 1.2144°W /54.6850; -1.2144 Hartlepool, County Durham, England |
| Designed by | George Coombs |
(North Elevation) In grateful remembrance of the men of this town who at their country's call left all that was dear to them to hazard their lives that others might live in freedom. Their name liveth for evermore (South Elevation) Thine O Lord is the victory | |
West Hartlepool War Memorial orVictory Square War Memorial orVictoria Square Cenotaph[1][2][3] is awar memorial inHartlepool, County Durham, England commemorating those fromWest Hartlepool who died inWorld War I andWorld War II.[4][5] The war memorial, created in the 1920s, is located on Victoria Road in Hartlepool's Victory Square.[5][nb 1] The square was created for this monument.[6]
There was much deliberation about the selection of the site for the memorial orcenotaph. The idea was for the war memorial to be placed in apublic square, which would face municipal buildings on the north side and be balanced with public buildings on the south side.[3][5] Victory Square, a large area in the center of town, was established for that purpose. The mayor ofWest Hartlepool from 1915 to 1917, Alderman Charles Macfarlane, introduced the idea of using land already designated for municipal buildings, previously "The Armoury Field", for a World War I memorial. Later approved at a public meeting, the cost was estimated at £150,000. It was also proposed that housing be created for seniors and the disabled as a related project. Donations came in for Cottage Homes "in connection with the war memorial", such as that by J. W. Crosby, partner in one of the towns shipping firms, Crosby, Magee & Co. who gave £5.000.[7][8][9]
The 66 feet (20 m) highobelisk monument made of grey Aberdeen granite and bronze sits on a pedestal.Bronzebas-relief oflaurel wreaths are located at the top of the monument on each side. Another wreath is situated near the bottom with the towncoat of arms and the motto "E Mare ex Industria" ("Industry comes from the Sea"). There are also bronze wreaths on the pedestal. Theplinth, withcyma-moulding, sits on a 77 feet (23 m) wide, five terraced base; the five steps symbolise the number of years of World War I.[4][5][10] There are a total of 1545 names to commemorate those from World War I.[11] The twelve bronze panels honour the 1548 townsmen belonging to 75 different units of the Army,Royal Navy andRoyal Air Force.[12]
A competition for the memorial design was managed by architect Ernest Newton,RA, who was then President ofRoyal Institute of British Architects.[11] The winner was George J Coombs ofAberdeen. Coombs' design was apparently complete by 1921, when he died, and his plans were carried out by George Bennett Mitchell, Vice-President of theInstitute of Scottish Architects.[4][11] The memorial was built by D. G. Somerville and Company of London and A Fyfe and Son. It was cast atH.H. Martyn & Co. It is classified as a Grade II monument.[11][13]
On 11 October 1923 the memorial was to be unveiled by theEarl of Durham (Frederick Lambton, 4th Earl of Durham), but he fell ill and his brother,Brigadier-General Charles Lambton performed the unveiling. It was dedicated by theBishop of Durham.[11][12][nb 2]
The north elevation bears the arms of West Hartlepool within a wreath.[5] Located on the top of the obelisks' pedestal is the leading inscription "The Great War 1914–1919"[1] followed by the inscription derived from theKing George V's message to the next of kin of the dead of theBritish Empire,
In grateful remembrance of the men of this town who at their country's call left all that was dear to them to hazard their lives that others might live in freedom. Their name liveth for evermore.[5]
The southern elevation contains the words "THINE O LORD / IS THE VICTORY" surmounted by a cross.[5]
After the end ofWorld War II, four 7 feet 4 inches (2.24 m) high whitegranite pillars were added near the Victory Square obelisk to commemorate those who lost their lives during that war. Each of the four-sided pillars is mounted with a bronze plaque containing the name of the fallen. A tree was planted between each of the pillars. The pillars were unveiled by Father David Coxon of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Reverend Tony Whipp of St. Aidan's Church and, representing Seafarers, Ken Cornford.[15]
The responsibility for maintenance and upkeep of the memorial resides with theHartlepool Borough Council's Neighborhood Services department. In 2008 restoration work was completed to clean and restore the stonework and plaques, which included resolving staining of thepatina.[2][3]
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