“Thursday, May 31, 1923, will rank as the most solemn, and perhaps the proudest day in the long and honourable history of Stockton,” began The Northern Echo’s report of events 100 years ago.
“It witnessed the unveiling and dedication of the town’s memorial to its 1,223 sons who fell in the great war, and it brought into the vicinity of the parish church a gathering of fully 25,000 persons who shared in the dignified service.”
The unveiling of Stockton war memorial on May 31, 1923
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the unveiling watched by that enormous crowd which choked the country’s widest High Street, a 24 hour vigil is being held this weekend around the memorial.
Veterans, volunteers, cadets, councillors and civilians will stand for 20 minutes each, heads bowed, at the corners of the memorial, while the names of the fallen are read out. More than 150 people have signed up to take part in the tribute, arranged by the Stockton branch of the Royal British Legion, although there is still room for more, and Tesco at Eaglescliffe have already given tea, coffee and biscuits to keep them going.
The unveiling of Stockton war memorial on May 31, 1923. Picture courtesy of Picture Stockton, Stockton-on-Tees Libraries
Among the huge crowd 100 years ago who saw the unveiling were 8,000 schoolchildren, and hundreds of relatives of men who had died.
The £7,500 cost of the memorial was raised by public subscription, with donations from firms including Ropners the shipbuilders. The cost included the purchase and demolition of three properties to make room for the memorial, which was designed by a London firm of architects.
The unveiling of Stockton war memorial on May 31, 1923. Picture courtesy of Picture Stockton, Stockton-on-Tees Libraries
The unveiling was performed by Captain John Lambton, the 5th Earl of Durham, who had served, and been wounded, in the Northumberland Fusiliers. He formally handed over the memorial to the council for safekeeping, and said: “We must reverence this monument as a symbol of splendid service in the past, and, I trust, of courageous, hope in future. They whom we commemorate today can best be honoured if we obey your borough motto: “Fortitudo et spes”.”
Endurance and hope.
The Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Hensley Henson (above), then spoke about the young men who “with the love of hope, and of youth, upon them, and the greatness and power of life before them” sacrificed themselves on “the altar of duty”.
“Today, there are those who ask, and we must all ask, was it worthwhile?” he said. “The results of the war seem to have been disappointing. Europe is still full of war and conflicts of war, but this result was not the fruit to which we rightly look.”
Instead, he urged his listeners to follow their example and answer the call of duty.
“For duty is the law of life, not only in the sudden great crises of war, but in the common course of life, as it proceeds quietly in time of peace,” he said.
One of the first wreathes on the memorial was then laid by Stockton’s local hero, Sgt Edward Cooper (above) of the King’s Royal Rifle Regiment who, on September 14, 1917, at Passchendaele had won the Victoria Cross for single-handedly storming a blockhouse and capturing seven machine guns and 45 enemy soldiers.
While a 300-strong male voice choir sang hymns, relatives of the fallen then laid their own wreathes.
The commemoration of the century of this extraordinarily powerful event begins at 10.45am on Saturday, with the vigil beginning at 11am and eight people taking their places at the corners for 20 minutes – some will be in chairs, some will be supported, all will be paying their tribute as 26 names of the dead are read out at the start of each 20 minute session.
The vigil will continue throughout the night and come to an end at 11am on Sunday in the presence of the Lord Lieutenant of Durham, Sue Snowden, and the mayor of Stockton.
People are welcome to witness the vigil, or even take part. Email csm2para@gmail.com or find full details on Facebook – search “Stockton-on-Tees vigil”.
Stockton war memorial in 2016. Picture courtesy of Marie Gardiner, Lonely Tower
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here