Lychgate War Memorial

The Christ Church lych gate is a memorial to the men of Lumley Parish who died in the 1914-1918 and 1939-1945 World Wars. It was dedicated by the Bishop of Durham on 19th June 1954.

Commissioned by a local committee and designed by Hicks and Charlwood, architects, the cost of approximately £600 was raised by public subscription and house to house collections.

Made from oak from the Lambton Estate, resting on limestone walls, and green Westmoreland slates, with gates to the front. The pitched roof is finished in grey slate.

The inscription above reads "I am the Resurrection and the Life."

Copper plaques on either side of the arch commemorate the men of Lumley lost in the two world wars:

1914-1918: 51 names

J. APPLEBY J. BEWLEY B. BLACK J. BLENKIRON R. BLENKIRON E. BOLAM R. BURNS J. CARR R. COXON J. CHAPMAN N. CURRY R .DOBSON W. DRIVER J. ERRINGTON T. FAWCETT B. FINLAY

T. HALL A. HERDMAN A. HOOKER J. HUTCHINSON T. HUTCHINSON H. JACKSON J. KIRKUP J. KNOX J. LEYBURN J. LOWERSON H. LOWERSON J.W. LOWERY D. McDONALD W. McGARRIGLE

J. McKENZIE A. MEEK W. MEEK J. METCALF R. MINTO C. MOODY R. MOODY G. MILSON J.M. NEWTON J. O'HARA E. PIMLETT J. PIMLETT W. PORTEUS N. RIDLEY W. STANGER E. STEVENSON

J. TROTTER T. TULIP G. WATKINS E. WELSH J. WELSH.

1939-1945: 19 names

S. ARMSTRONG T. BROWN R.B. COLE A. CONN C. DUFFY R. FAWCETT T. HOLMES G. JOHNSON J. LOWERY J. PARKER W. PARKER T. PASCOE J. RENWICK A. SWINNEY J.V. TAYLOR J. TROTTER E. VARDY J. WATSON W. YOUNG

More information on the above is detailed below:

1914-1918

APPLEBY, John Thomas, pvt. 242819, 1/6Bn.DLI, died 04.11.1918

BEWLEY, John, pvt.3722, 1/8Bn.DLI, . France/Flanders, 02.04.1916

BLACK, Benjamin Wm.,2983 A/C SM, 1/8Bn DLI,d.F&F, 18.09.1916

BOLAM, Edward, pvt.15141 Coldstream Guards, kia. F&F, 24.06.1916

BLENKIRON, Joseph, 2881 pvt.1/8 Bn D.L.I, F& F, 05.11.1916

BLENKIRON, Robin, 2858 pvt. 1/8Bn D.L.I, F& F, 26.04.1915

BURNS, John Robert, spr.102569, 174th R.Eng., kia. 08.10 1915

CARR, John, gunr.107117, R.Field Artillary, Salonika, 10.10.1916

COXON, R., Kings Royal Rifles, 22.07.1916

CHAPMAN, Job. pvt.21/1254, 21Bn.NBL Fusiliers, died of wounds France/Flanders 19.10.1916

CURRY, Newrick, pvt.18/459, 18 batt. DLI., k.i.a. F& F., 03.03.1917

DOBSON, D.

DRIVER, W., Northumberland Fusiliers, 08.10.1918

ERRINGTON, John Robson, pvt. 18/487, 18Bn. D.L.I. , 01.07.1916

FAWCETT, Thomas, pvt.24696 2 Bn. D.L.I., d.of woundsF&F., 7.7.1917

FINLAY, B., H.M.S. Hawk, 04.02.1917

HALL.Thomas, pvt. 19/1238, 20 Bn.D.L.I. d. wounds F&F.,16.11.1916

HERDMAN, Arthur, pvt 18078, 13 Bn. D.L.I.,.F&F., 14.12.1918

HOOKER, Arthur Rowland, pvt.34603, 9 Bn.York/Lancs,F&F., 02.10.1916

HUTCHINSON, Joseph pvt.7959,2nd Bn. NBL Fusiliers, died of wounds Salonika 02.11.1916, buried in Salonika 02.11.1916

HUTCHINSON, Thomas, pvt.5970, 4th dragoon guards, 20.11.1917

JACKSON, Herbert, pvt. 19171, 14 Bn. D.L.I, F&F, 24.08.1918

KIRKUP, John, M.M., sgt.21908, 13Bn. D.L.I,F&F, 05.10.1918

KNOX, Joseph, pvt.203396, D.L.I. 1/5th Bn., k.i.a. F & F., 27.05. 1918

LEYBURN, J., D.L.I., 16.09.1916

LOWERSON, Henry, spr. 63243, Royal Engineers 55th Field coy., d. F & F., 17 10.1917

LOWERSON, John Thos, pvt.21779, 11 Bn.DLI, d.F&F, 28.03.1918

LOWERY, John William, L/Cpl. 30613, 10Bn. Linc. Rgt., k.i.a. F&F, 04.04.1918

McDONALD, Dan Archie, pvt. 901635, 47 Bn. Canadian Infantry, Quebec Rgt., 11.09.1917

McGARRIGLE,William, pvt.20/1448, 20 Bn, NBL Fusiliers, 09.03.1916

McKENZIE, J.

MEEK, Abraham, pvt. 35716, Duke of Wellington W. Riding Rgt., F&F, 20.10. 1918

MEEK, W., D.L.I, 05.09.1918

METCALF, J., Royal Innis. Fusiliers, 04.09.1918

NELSON, George Lowery, bdr. 107011 Royal Field Artillery, d. of wounds F & F., 29.09.1918

MINTO, Ralph Thornton, pvt. 14236, 9th batt. border Rgt. , d. Salonika, 01.01. 1916

MOODY, C.

MOODY, R.

NEWTON, J.M., D.L.I., 26.09.1916

O'HARA, J., Northumberland Fusiliers, 02.02.1915

PIMLETT, Edward, pvt.13576, 13th Bn. D.L.I., d. wounds F&F, 04.06.1916

PIMLETT, Joseph Wm., Driver 120394, R.F.A., k.i.a., F& F, 03.05.1917

PORTEUS, Walter, pvt.200320 15th Bn D.L.I., k.i.a. F& F, 03.10.1917

RIDLEY, N., A.S.C., 07.11.1918

STANGER, W., Ausralian Inf., 18.09.1918

STEVENSON, F., D.L.I., 01.10.1916

TROTTER, John, L.Cpl.18707, 13Bn, D.L.I. d. F&F, 19.09.1916

TULIP, Thomas, pvt.19/551, 19Bn D.L.I. d.of wounds F&F, 18.07.1916

WATKINS, G., Royal Naval Division, 29.08.1915

WELSH, Edward, pvt.18694 Pr. of Wales Rgt., k.i.a.F&F, 08.07.1916

WELSH, J., D.L.I., 05.06.1916

1939-1945

ARMSTRONG, Stephen, driver 4451445,17 Field Co. R.E., d. 1.6.1940, aged 20, Commemorated Dunkirk Memorial, France

BROWN, Thomas, pvt. 4456108, 8 Bn.D.L.I., died aged 22, 21.5.1940, son of Benjamin & Elizabeth of Fence Houses, Durham. Commemorated Habarcq Cemetery, Pas de Calais. Also mentioned on parents' gravestone, Lumley.

COLE, Robert Baines, gnr. 1491241, 209 Batt. 53 Light AA Rgt. R.A. Son of Benjamin & Frances of Gt. Lumley, d. aged 21. Commemorated Ste.Marie-Cappel Churchyard, North France, d. 27.05.1940

CONN, Alan, A.B., P/JX, 298828, HMS Algerine R.N. Son of Geo.Walton & Isabella of Chester-le-Street. Commemorated Portsmouth Naval Memorial. Mentioned on father's headstone in Lumley Churchyard. Died aged 20, 15.11.1942

DUFFY, Edward Colin, Sgt. 1583091, Flight Engineer, RAF Volunteer Reserve. Son of Edward and Ann of Gt. Lumley. Commemorated Eindoven, Woensel Cemetery, Holland. Mentioned on grandparents' gravestone Gt. Lumley. Died aged 20, 23.4.1944

FAWCETT, R.

HOLMES, Thomas, Aircraftsman 2 class 1543369, 94 Squad.RAF VR. Son of John Willie and Elsie, nee Smith, of Fence Houses. Mentioned on parents' headstone in Lumley Churchyard. Commemorated Port Said War Cemetery, Egypt. Died aged 20, 14.9.1942

JOHNSON, George, Sgt. 1590858, Flight Engineer, RAF V.R. Mentioned on parents headstone Lumley Churchyard. Commemorated Heerde Cemetery, Netherlands. Died aged 19, 21.07.1944

LITTLE, Arthur, Stoker 2nd class, P/KX 10059, HMS, Wivern, R.N. (Not on Lychgate but on Lumley 6th Pit Memorial) Son of George and Susanna of New Penshaw. Commemorated Deal Cemetery, Kent. Died aged 21 .06.1940

LOWERY, John, Sgt. 1590245, Flight Engineer, RAF V.R. Son of James and Eleanor of Great Lumley. Commemorated Reichswald Forest Cemetery, Germany. Died aged 20, 23.05.1944

PARKER, James Leslie, Cpl.1155600, RAF V.R. Son of William & Annie of Fence Houses. Commemorated Port Elizabeth Cemetery, S. Africa. Died age 26, 15.12.1942

PARKER, W.

PASCOE, Thomas, Gnr. 1527491, 155 Batt. 52 Lt AA Rgt. Royal Artillery. Commemorated Phaleron War Cemetery, Greece. Died aged 23, 14.04.1941

RENWICK, John Whitfield, Flying Officer 77537, 407 Sqad. RAF V.R. Son of John Whitfield and Mary RENWICK and husband of Frances RENWICK of Low Fell. Commemorated Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, U.K. Died 10.10.1941

SWINNEY, Arthur, Flt. Sgt. 1087538, wireless operator/air gunner 156 squadron RAF V.R. Son of Robert & Florence of Chester-le-Street. Mentioned on parents' headstone Lumley Churchyard. Commemorated Hanover War Cemetery, Germany. Died aged 23, 27.09.1943

TAYLOR, Joseph Winship, Lt.249247, 1st. Bn. The Loyal Rgt. (N. Lancs). Son of Frank and Mary, husband of Ellen TAYLOR, of Fence Houses. Commemorated Anzio War Cemetery, Italy. Mentioned on twin brother's headstone in Lumley Churchyard. Died aged 23 yrs., 10.02.1944

TROTTER, John, Flt. Sgt. Pilot, 1087715, 58 squad. RAF V.R. Commemorated Runnymede Memorial, Surrey U.K. Elder son of Joseph Trotter of Castle Dene. Died, age 23, 15.08.1943

VARDY, Edward Baynton, Driver 2337912, Royal Corp Signals. Son of Arthur and Ethel and husband of Millicent of Chester-le-Street. Commemorated Bone War Cemetery, Algeria. Mentioned on parents' gravestone Burnmoor Churchyard and flag pole Burnmoor Churchyard to memory. Died age 22 years, 19.01.1943

WATSON, J.

YOUNG, William, Petty officer, stoker, P/KX 79038, HMS Redstart RN. Son of George and Edith, husband of Margaret (nee KERR) of Wheatley Hill, Co.Durham. Died aged 31, 24.12.1941

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Memorials in the Churchyard

Private Joseph Hartis, RMA/3415, HQ (Eastney), Royal Marine Artillery, died 12 July 1918 from disease, aged 26. Occupation blacksmith striker, of 26 Finchale Terr, Fence houses. Born Great Lumley, Durham. Son of John and Sarah A. Hartis of 8 Mitchell St., Annfield Plain, Durham.

(grave location 722).

Private Samuel Johns, 3/3831, 3rd York and Lancaster Rgt., died 16 August 1916, at Cocken Hall, Leamside, Cocken, Durham, aged 48. Born Forest,Colchester, Surrey. Husband of Lilian Johns, of 68 Kendal Rd., Colchester, Essex. Served in the South Africa War. Wounded 20 Jan 1900 at Venters Spruit. Private No.3895, Natal Field Force, 1st Battalion Yorks. and Lancaster Regiment

Eleanor Brown, 50182, Queen Mary's Auxilliary Corps, died 9th November 1918 in Staffordshire, aged 20. Daughter of Thomas Foster Brown and Sarah Ann Brown, of 3, Woodstone Terr., Fence Houses, Durham. Born September 1899 in Byers Green, Auckland, Durham.

(Thanks to William Kirby for the CWG information above)