War memorials, North Yorkshire
War Memorials Elsewhere, -
Hexham (Northumberland)
War memorials, North Yorkshire

Close Window to return to main page

The Hexham War Memorial in Abbey Gardens
The Hexham War Memorial in Abbey Gardens
Photo : DS on the War Memorials Online website

The War Memorial for Hexham is a Latin Cross on an octagonal stepped base, and is to be found in Abbey Gardens. The design is that of the Cross of Sacrifice to be found in Commonwealth War Grave Cemeteries.

233 names are commemorated as having lost their lives in the FIrst World War, including 1 civilian.
95 names are commemorated as having lost their lives in the Second World War, including 3 civilians.
A transcription of all the names commemorated can be found on the Lost Ancestors website.
Of interest is the large number of men who had served in the Northumberland Fusiliers (120), with the majority having served in the 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers.

Of the names commemorated, 2 were definitely soldiers who had served in the Yorkshire Regiment and another is thought to have been a soldier who had served in the Yorkshire Regiment.


Private George Smith. 38272. 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of George William and Annie Smith, of 2, Ferry Rd., Bridge End, Hexham, Northumberland. Killed 14 August 1917. Aged 19.
Born Hexham (Northumberland), Enlisted Northumberland.
Commemorated on Panel 33, YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL.
(Shown on the Hexham War Memorial as being in the East Yorkshire Regiment, but this is thought to be incorrect.)

Private Matthew Thompson. 29564. 1st/4th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 46463 the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 27 May 1918.
Born Hexham (Northumberland), Enlisted Hexham.
Buried VENDRESSE BRITISH CEMETERY.

Private Percy H Wollaston. 235340. 20th Battalion The King's (Liverpool Regiment), formerly 243121 the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Mrs. H. Wollaston, of 32, Felix Rd., Ipswich. Killed 31 July 1917. Aged 32.
Born Ipswich (Suffolk), Enlisted Hexham (Suffolk) sic, Resided Hexham.
Commemorated on Panel 4 and 6, YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL.
(Percy Wollaston is commemorated on the Hexham, Northumberland, War Memorial as "P Woolaston". His place of enlistment in SDGW would not have been "Hexham (Suffolk)" but Hexham (Northumberland).
A search of the 1901 Census shows him as being a Tailor, working in Ipswich. But he cannot be found in the 1911 Census, indicating that he may have been serving in the Army at that time.)
Peter Clarke (<peter.clarke42@ntlworld.com>) has provided the following information on Percy Wollaston;-
"Percy is on the 1911 Census of England & Wales, a 25 year old unmarried Tailor recorded as a Boarder at Rosemeath Cottage, 32 Battle Hill, Hexham and born Ipswich, Suffolk. As with many a boarder I've had cause to research over the years his landlord didn't know all the proper details, and so his surname is recorded as "Wallarston". "


The Names of G Smith, M Thompson and P Wollaston on the Hexham War Memorial
The Names of G Smith, M Thompson and P Wollaston on the Hexham War Memorial
Select the above image for a larger one which opens in a new window
Photo : DS on the War Memorials Online website

Some of the Northumberland Fusiliers names on the Hexham War Memorial
Some of the Northumberland Fusiliers names on the Hexham War Memorial
Photo : DS on the War Memorials Online website


-----------------> Return to top of the page