This memorial stands on the Main Street of Spittal and consists of an obelisk mounted on a pedestal on a three step base. As a former resident of Spittal this memorial has particular significance for Mummy Lent and I recall laying wreaths here a number of times with the local primary school. Despite it's size it is somewhat of a hidden gem, located to the south of the town on an area of the Main Street less frequented by tourists.
The memorial stands in a small garden within a residential area and was unveiled in July 1921 containing the names of 37 men who gave their lives in the Great War. It was restored in 2006 and during the restoration a plaque to honour the 11 men who died in 1939-45 and one in Northern Ireland was added. It was designated a Grade II listed building in 2009.
The observant amongst you will notice that this war memorial is situated in front of the old spa well (spotted the water trickling towards you and the stained paving yet?). This well has Grade II listed designation given it's age and it's sigificance in the development of the village into a Spa resort in the early 19th century. The structure of the old Spa Well can be stylistically dated to the late 18th Century, and is marked on a map of 1837 as 'Spaw Well'. Following this Spittal began to be developed as a resort, and the `New Town' began to be built up in order to attract visitors for sea-bathing and to drink the waters from the Spa Well. The well was valued as a source of iron, lime, magnesia and sulphate of soda. The open area to the front of the well was later developed with the War Memorial and another well which was likely associated with the memorial.
Please take a moment to appreciate the memorial and the well. You will need the following to gain coordinates for the log:
Log can be found at N 55 45.ABC W 1 59.DEF where:
A = Numerical digit following Cpl. Joseph Elliot
B = Final digit on the bottom plaque
C = Number of letters in the 5th hero's surname
D = "This tree was planted on April 2? 2016"
E = Number of letters in the 5th word on the middle plaque
F = Number of words on the top plaque
Checksum = 26
***** PLEASE NOTE IMPORTANT *****
CACHES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE PLACED ON ACTUAL MEMORIALS OR WITHIN THE BOUNDARY OF SUCH
AT ALL TIMES PLEASE TREAT LOCATIONS OF MEMORIALS WITH RESPECT