To The Glory of God
Following the end of World War One, communities erected war memorials all over Britain – in virtually every city, town and village – to commemorate those who had served and fallen in the conflict.
And since, on every Armistice Day - 11th November - these statues and sculptures are the scene of poignant memorials.
Newcastle United’s own War Memorial was first discussed at a meeting in 1917 when it was noted that "a list of those killed in the war should be placed in the offices of the club".
Following the Armistice, a memorial was on the agenda at Board meetings and by 1920, it was confirmed that a design for a 'Roll of Honour' was to proceed, erected at the club’s Strawberry Place office soon afterwards.
It took the form of a large decorated plaque, entitled 'To The Glory of God'.
When the stadium was later redeveloped, it was put into storage for many years until it was restored when the club opened a museum in 1991.
It now has a place in a covered walkway beneath the Milburn Stand at St. James’ Park for thousands to see as supporters enter the ground every matchday.
The plaque notes the names of 52 players and officials on the club’s staff during the period 1914 to 1919 and who served in the armed forces. Included are five footballers to lose their lives.
Due to difficulties in precise army service of some of the club’s players at the time, the memorial shows reserve winger Owen McManus having survived. He had sadly died in November 1918, just before war ended.
Colleague Thomas Suart, on the club’s books as a young reserve, was overlooked. He lost his life in June 1917.
More than 100 ex-players or future players and officials of Newcastle United also served in World War One.
Roll of Honour - Newcastle United players who died in the Great War
Pvt SJ Allan (NU 1908-11): RAMC, 4 May 1919, Home
Sec-Lt DS Bell VC (NU 1911-12): Yorkshire Reg, 10 July 1916, France
Corp T Cairns (NU 1914-17): RFA, 13 Oct 1917, France
Corp D Dunglinson (NU 1912-16): Northumberland Fusiliers, 1 July 1916, France
Pvt J Findlay (NU 1905-06): Scots Guards, 18 Sept 1916, France
L-Corp JBM Fleming (NU 1911-13): Cameron Highlanders, 21 March 1916, Home
Pvt J Forster (NU 1897-98): Yorkshire Reg, 7 Oct 1916, France
Pvt J Froud (NU 1901): Royal West Kent Reg, 28 July 1917, Belgium
Pvt T Goodwill (NU 1913-16): Northumberland Fusiliers, 1 July 1916, France
L-Corp R Harker (NU 1904-05): Northumberland Fusiliers, 9 April 1917, France
Pvt T Hughes (NU 1912-14): Northumberland Fusiliers, 1 July 1916, France
L-Corp JM Maxwell (NU 1904): Seaforth Highlanders, 21 April 1917, Mesopotamia
Bomb R McGough (NU 1914-17): RGA, 18 April 1917, France
Corp O McManus (NU 1914-18): RFA, 6 Nov 1918, France
Pvt CE Randall (NU 1908-11): Coldstream Guards, 27 Sept 1916, France
Pvt GS Rivers (NU 1914-16): Durham Light Infantry, 13 Aug 1916, France
Capt TS Rowlandson MC (NU 1905-06): Yorkshire Reg, 15 Sept 1916, France
Pvt J Stevenson (NU 1898-1900): Highland Light Infantry, 3 July 1916, France
Pvt T Suart (NU 1914-17): Border Reg, 16 June 1917, Belgium
Corp C Winter (NU 1904-05): Cam Scot Rifles, 27 Oct 1918, France
Sgt WA Witherington DCM (NU 1901-02): British Colombia Reg, 15 Aug 1917, France
RW Benson (NU 1902-04): Munitions, 19 Feb 1916, Home
A Douglas (NU 1913-18): Munitions, 14 Dec 1918, Home
To The Glory of God by Paul Joannou
To mark the anniversary of World War One, the detailed history of the club’s story during the conflict, To The Glory of God: Newcastle United & The Great War, will be published in September 2018 by Novo Publishing Ltd (www.novopublishing.co.uk).
Meticulously compiled by club historian Paul Joannou, the book features 250 pages dedicated to the club's connections with a hugely important part of world history and features stunning photography.
Copies will be on sale at Waterstones and Back Page stores in Newcastle upon Tyne and the Metro Centre.