Seahouses War Memorial

Seahouses War Memorial is a First World War memorial with additions commemorating the Second World War, erected in 1923 by Reavell & Tebbs of Alnwick. It is constructed from granite with bronze decoration, and possesses group value.

The memorial takes the form of a tapering obelisk constructed from four stone blocks. A bronze cross, shaped like an inverted sword in relief, sits at the top, with a bronze wreath in relief at the base of the front face. The obelisk stands upon a rectangular pedestal, which is itself mounted on a stepped plinth and base. Matching bronze plaques, bearing inscriptions, are found on the front and rear faces of the pedestal. The whole structure is set on a cobbled base, enclosed by a low granite railing with a chain. Surrounding low granite walls, along with gates and railings, were added in 1995.

The inscription on the front reads "NORTH SUNDERLAND PARISH/IN MEMORY/OF THOSE WHO FELL IN THE WAR/1914-1918/(NAMES)", while the rear inscription reads "NORTH SUNDERLAND PARISH/IN MEMORY/OF THOSE WHO FELL IN THE WAR/ 1939-1945/(NAMES)". A further inscription on the plinth reads "THIS HAVE I DONE FOR YOU".

Originally, the parish of North Sunderland had planned to build a memorial hall, but funds proved insufficient. The memorial was unveiled on 5th August 1923 by Lord Armstrong and dedicated by Bishop Ormsby. Prior to the 50th anniversary of VE Day, the memorial was temporarily relocated to facilitate roadworks and a new traffic management system and was later re-erected a few feet from its original position.

War memorials are of significant historical and cultural importance at both local and national levels. This well-executed example, in the form of a granite obelisk, serves as a memorial to those who died in both World Wars, demonstrating clear special historic interest and meeting the criteria for a national listing.