Northumbrian Gunner: November 2018

Hexham War Memorial
November 2018

Hexham author Alan Grint published a book telling the story of the 149th (Northumberland) Brigade, the Territorial Battalions who fought in the First World War.

4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers - Hexham
5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers - Walker
6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers - Newcastle
7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers - Alnwick

The Brigade was part of the 50th Northumbrian Division which mobilised in August 1914. The Brigade would initially move to locations in the NE to defend the UK. In April 1915, they deployed to France moving into Belgium. Shortly after arriving the Territorials were thrown into the Second Battle of Ypres. The Northumbrian Brigade was the first Territorial Brigade to go onto battle as a formed unit and were awarded the Battle Honour St Julien.

The Brigade would go to be involved on the Somme in September 1916, Arras April 1917, and the Third Battle of Ypres in October 1917. In 1918, they faced the full force of the German Spring Offensives. The first German offensive, Operation Michael, was launched on the Somme. After intense fighting on the Somme, the Brigade was moved to the Armentieres Sector. It was here the Germans launched their second attack, Operation Georgette. Once again the Northumbrians were involved in heavy fighting. Having fought in two major offensives, the Brigade was moved to the Chemin des Dammes, a quiet sector. Unfortunately it turned out that this would be the location of the third German attack, Operation Blucher, after which the 149th Brigade ceased to exist due to the heavy losses sustained.

The 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers Memorial Arch stands at entrance to Hexham Park adjacent to Hexham Abbey.

Hexham - 4 NF Memorial Arch
November 2018

Hexham - 4 NF Memorial Arch
Company Locations
November 2018

Hexham Abbey

Hexham Abbey was the location of an exhibition , Hexham Remembers, to remember and commemorate the First World War.

HEXHAM REMEMBERS

Hexham Remembers Exhibition
Hexham Courant 4NF Recruiting Advert

Hexham Remembers Exhibition
Parish Magazine from WW1

In Hexham Abbey on the afternoon of Remembrance Sunday the County of Northumberland held a service of Remembrance and Reflection to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice. The event was hosted by the Duchess of Northumberland.

Hexham Abbey
Tabernacle

Hexham Abbey Remembrance Service
Northumberland Pipers

Hexham Abbey Remembrance Service
Cassino Band Northumbria ACF

Hexham Abbey Remembrance Service
Duchess of Northumberland

Saltwell Park
Field of Remembrance 2018

To commemorate the end of the Great War, the North East War Memorials Project organised a series of events which brought together the communities of the North East with representatives from Ypres, Somme and Arras.

In Saltwell Park a tree was planted together with soil from the battlefields of the Somme and Passchendaele .

North East Remembers - Saltwell Park