Boer War Memorial

This imposing memorial is dedicated to the yeomanry and volunteers from Bellingham and district who marched off to South Africa to fight in the Boer War from 1900-1902. It was originally erected at the junction of the roads to Otterburn and West Woodburn, but was moved to its present location in the 1950s. It is not the village’s official war memorial; that is at the lych gate at the cemetery on the Hexham road. 

History

Originally a fountain, and there was a light on top, now gone. Otherwise still in good condition.

In 1999, restoration was made with help from Friends of War Memorials to commemorate both the centenary of the start of the South African War in 1899 and also to commemorate the new Millennium. A new lamp was placed on the top and a new drinking fountain placed alongside. Local schoolchildren were involved with the project.

Friends of War Memorials (now War Memorials Trust) gave a grant of £250 towards the cost of restoration.

Hexham Courant feature 75 years ago reports that the decision was made to move the memorial "to the gun site outside the town hall".

Northumberland County Council Minutes 15/6/1959 note that the war memorial is sited in a carriageway of the main road opposite the junction of the road to West Woodburn. There are two "Keep Left" signs on the memorial, but it cannot be used as a roundabout and traffic conditions are potentially dangerous. A scheme from the Police to remove it to another site met with local opposition.

Description

Sandstone ashlar and marble, repaired in pink concrete. Stepped square base covered in concrete in late C20. Tall, stepped square plinth with inset marble inscription panel; semicircular basins on returns. Heavy, square canopy with wreathed empty plinth above, rests on 4 marble columns and shelters figure of soldier.

Inscription

6 O'Clock face: ERECTED/ IN HONOUR OF THE FOLLOWING LOCAL MEMBERS OF/ YEOMANRY AND VOLUNTEERS WHO FOUGHT IN THE/ BOER WAR 1900 - 1 - 2/ YEOMANRY/ (NAMES)/ VOLUNTEERS/ (NAMES) 9 O'Clock face: YEOMANRY/ (NAMES)/ VOLUNTEERS/ (NAMES)

Listing Information

Boer War Memorial Fountain

Grade II

This memorial is protected, and listed on the National Heritage List for England maintained by Historic England.

Current Location in Manchester Square

Inscription

Original Location at the Junction of the B6230 and Woodburn Road