Newcastle Daily Chronicle, Tuesday 20 July 1920 (page 6) reported: 'HIGH SPEN WAR MEMORIAL Citizen Amy the Safeguard of Nation. The monument erected in St. Patrick's Churchyard, High Spen, to the memory of the men at the district of Spen and Victoria Garesfield who fell in the war, was unveiled and dedicated last night, in the presence of a large gathering. The day's proceedings had begun with a celebration of Holy Communion for the repose of the souls of the fallen. The band and firing party of the 9th D.L.I. arrived at Rowlands Gill station during the afternoon, under the command of Major. General Sir Percival S. Wilkinson, K.C., M.D., C.B., and a procession was formed, at Highfeld, to St. Patrick's Church, thence to High Spen, the band playing the "Dead March." The procession returned to St Patrick's Churchyard for the unveiling ceremony. Mr. F. Priestman, of Shotley Bridge, unveiled the memorial, and referred to the great number of men who volunteered from that district, and the sacrifices they had made. The memorial contained the names of over 90 men. The Dean of Durham (Bishop Welldon) dedicated the memorial "to the lasting remembrance of the sacrifices which they made for us, and of the debt we owe to God and to them." Mr F. O. Kirkup, agent for the Consett Iron Coy.. Ltd.. in introducing Major-General Sir Percival S. Wilkinson, said he well remembered how the men, particularly in Chopwell, responded to the call. They almost stopped the collieries in their anxiety to join the colours, and they all knew how well the men fought. Three volleys were fired, and the "Last Post" was sounded. Major-General Sir Percival S. Wilkinson, in the course of an address, said he had seen the men fighting in the trenches on the Somme, in the Ypres salient and on the Passchendaele Ridge. Men had fought and died that the late war, the most terrible of all wars, might be the last war. That day was the official anniversary of the declaration of peace; but the world was still very troubled. Things were very uncertain, and no man could say what the future would be. It was for all men, he thought, however much they might wish for peace in their time and their children's time, to maintain the freedom of their nation. It was for us to see that the next generation was so trained that it it could carry out its responsibilities and its duty to the State. Many of those whose names were inscribed on the memorial were Territorial soldiers - soldiers of the citizen army. If we had had no citizen army when war broke out we should probably have lost the war, and losing the war we should have lost our freedom. A strong citizen army was our best guarantee of peace. Many who, like himself, had seen these men in their glorious fighting on the many battlefields, must always feel that as long as they had life and strength it would be their pleasure, as well as their duty, to do all that they could for the orphans and the widows of the fallen, and those who were disabled. A short service was afterwards held in an adjacent field, at which the Dean of Durham offered his sympathy to the relatives and friends of the fallen'.
Blaydon Courier, Friday 24 March 1950 (page 1) reported: 'High Spen War Memorial High Spen, Victoria Garesfield and Highfield War Memorial Commiltee comprises representatives from Blaydon U.D.C., tradesmen, mniers' [sic] lodges, British Legion (Men and Women's branches), all churches and chapels in the area and Women's Institutes. The chairman is Mr J Richardson, Front St High Spen, treasurer, Mr J Cumberledge, ‘Hallgarth', High Spen, and secretary, Mr N Greener, Hugar Road, High Spen. Owing to high costs it has been decided to add a plinth to the existing 1914-18 war memorial in St Patrick’s Church grounds, High Spen. This work has been placed in the hands of Mr Ralph Hedley, the capable stone and woodcarver of Newcastle, who will probably be remembered best as the man who carved and restored the head to Grey's Monument, Newcastle, about 12 months ago. The estimated cost is £230-£250. The committee is busy checking names of those who fell in the war who qualify to be included on this memorial and it is hoped to carry out, in the near future, several ideas for raising money to defray the cost. Several valuable donations have already been received and offers of help have been given by several public bodies and individuals. Further offers will be gratefully accepted from anyone interested'.
Blaydon Courier, Friday, 12 September 1952 (page 1) reported: 'High Spen Memorial Unveiling and Dedication On Sunday first [sic], High Spen, Victoria Garesfield and Highfield War Memorial, commemorating those who fell in the 1914-18 and 1939-45 war, is to be unveild [sic] and dedicated in St. Patrick’s churchyard. The service is to take place at 3.0 p.m. and will be carried out by the Right Rev. the Bishop of Jarrow, supported by local clergy of all denominations. The unveiling ceremony will be by Col. P. Gardner, M.C., T.D. A parade is to leave the cinema, High Spen, at 2.30 p.m. led by the band of the Royal Tank Regiment T.A. (Bandmaster B. O’Neill) with the permission of the band president, Major R. A. Rogers. A contingent of Field Squadron R.E. (T.A.) will be present under the direction of Major Greensitt as well as local branches of the British Legion including men’s and women's sections. It is expected that the parade will be completed with the Memorial Committee and a contingent from the St. John's Ambulance Brigade. Special places have been reserved at the memorial for relatives of the fallen. The addition to the memorial is the work of Ralph Hedley, the well known artistic and architectural wood and stone carver of Newcastle, who will probably be better known to the public for his work in restoring Grey's Monument, Newcastle, some few years ago. The committee are grateful for considerable help given to them by the Rev. J. Shannon, Rector of Winlaton. His interest and practical aid have contributed in no small measure to the successful arrangements already made. The cost of the memorial will be in the region of £360, about half of which has been raised and the committee hope that, with the support of the public, the remainder will be quickly forthcoming'.
Blaydon Courier, Friday, 19 September 1952 (page 5) reported: 'Unveiling and Dedication Of High Spen Memorial. On Sunday at St. Patrick’s Church High Spen, an impressive service marked the unveiling and dedication of the addition to the war memorial commemorating the names of the fallen in the 1939-45 war from the High Spen, Victoria Garesfield and Highfield district. A parade comprising a detachment of the R.E. (T.A) from Chopwell, the memorial committee, standard bearers of both men’s and women's sections of the British Legion with their Legionaires and St. John's Ambulance Brigade members marched to the church led by the band of the 43rd Royal Tank Regiment (T.A). At the church itself special places were reserved for relatives of the fallen and these were fully occupied. The service, in the capable hands of the Rev. J. Shannon, Rector of Winlaton, and amplified by loud speakers, proceeded smoothly and impressively. Opening with the National Anthem and a hymn there followed a well-chosen lesson read by the Rev. W. Baugh, the Highfield Methodist minister. The unveiling ceremony was performed by Colonel P. Gardner, M.C., T.D., and this was followed by the dedication in simple, yet solemn words delivered by the Right Rev. the Bishop of Jarrow. The Last Post and Reveille sounder by the bugler, the salutes of the Legion standards in conjunction with the Legion exhortation spoken by Mr. W. I. Gibbons, added dignity to the whole service. Hymns, prayers and the laying of wreaths by public bodies and relatives followed and the service came to a fitting end with a blessing by the Bishop. After the service the parade reformed for a march past and the salute was taken by Col. Gardner, M.C., escorted by Mr. Gibbons and Mr. Pickles, of the Durham County British Legion executive. Special guests and officials, in addition to those already mentioned, included Rev. R. M. Davison, Methodist minister at Chopwell, Rev. W. J. Payne of St. Patrick’s and the Rev. C. L. Barron, of St. Barnabas, Rowlands Gill. The Blaydon Urban District Council was represented by Coun. J. Stephenson, chairman of the Council. As well as the local branch of the British Legion, both men's and women’s sections led by their respective standards, many visiting branches attended the ceremony and these included Chopwell, Greenside, Ryton and Crawcrook, Marley Hill and Sunniside, Whickham and Swalwell, Dunston, South Moor, Birtley, Chester-le-Street and Newcastle West End. Last, but by no means least, was a smart contingent of the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade, representing the various district units, ready as always, not only to take part in the parade and service, but for all eventualities. The committee are desirous of expressing their deep gratitude to all those who, either as individuals or groups, helped in any way to add dignity and impressiveness to this solemn service of dedicating, in humble thankfulness, this memorial to those who died that we and our children might live in peace and security'.
Gov.UK website; announcement 28/7/2007:
'Operations in Afghanistan. Sergeant Barry Keen of 14 Signal Regiment killed in Afghanistan. It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence has confirmed the death of Sergeant Barry Keen of 14 Signal Regiment, killed by a mortar attack in Afghanistan on Friday 27 July 2007'. [The announcement included details of the incident, and official/personal tributes to Sergeant Keen].
https://www.gov.uk/government/fatalities/sergeant-barry-keen-of-14-signal-regiment-killed-in-afghanistan BBC News website; report 9/8/2007: 'Funeral for Afghan death soldier. Sgt Barry Keen, from Gateshead, was serving with 14 Signal Regiment in the south of the country when he was fatally wounded by a mortar round.
He was buried with full military honours at St Patrick's Church, in Rowlands Gill, following a service at St Paul's Church, Winlaton on Thursday.
Sgt Keen's superiors described him as an inspirational figure.
The 34-year-old had spent nearly 18 years in the Army and his career included tours in Bosnia and Northern Ireland.
Medical treatment. He was on operation in Helmand Province, reorganising his team in a secure compound, when a single mortar round landed next to him.
Despite receiving immediate medical treatment he died from his injuries.
Of the hundreds of people at his funeral, at least 150 were military personnel, said an Ministry of Defence spokeswoman.
Sgt Keen's regiment remain in Afghanistan, supporting the National Army in their fight against the Taleban'.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/mobile/england/tyne/6938945.stm
