Houghton-le-Spring War Memorial

The memorial stands in the south-west corner of the churchyard of the Church of St Michael and All Angels (Grade I). The Portland stone memorial is c6m tall and takes the form of a great pylon. The upper part of the pylon dies back in four stages to an immense wheel-head, similar in form to the cross head of the St Cuthbert cross. The dates 1914 – 1919 are incised on either side of the middle stage below the cross head, with OUR GLORIOUS DEAD to the front and rear of the lower stage. The commemorated names are listed in three columns on the front and rear faces of the pylon.

The figure of a sailor, c1.5m tall, in profile and fully equipped with his hands resting on the muzzle of his grounded rifle, is carved in relief on the north-west face of the pylon. On the south-east face of the pylon this figure is matched by a soldier, also in profile. Fully equipped and wearing his helmet, his rifle is slung over his right shoulder as he walks forward.

The memorial is raised on a platform and chains are slung across the faces of the base, to hold wreaths and floral tributes.

This List entry has been amended to add sources for War Memorials Online and the War Memorials Register. These sources were not used in the compilation of this List entry but are added here as a guide for further reading, 7 February 2017.