The Response 1914

The Response 1914 is a war memorial in Newcastle made of bronze figures set against a granite wall, showing soldiers, drummer boys, and family members together. The back of the memorial displays two soldiers standing beside Saint George.

Sir William Goscombe John designed this work, commissioned by Sir George Renwick in response to the First World War. The Prince of Wales unveiled it in 1923 as a permanent tribute.

The inscriptions speak of sacrifice for one's country through Latin phrases visible on the stone. Visitors can read the names and feel the weight of what this place meant to those who lost loved ones.

The memorial sits in public gardens north of Barras Bridge, accessible to visitors at any time during daylight hours. The location offers quiet space for reflection among surrounding green areas.

An angel of fame hovers above the crowd of figures, a detail that sets this memorial apart from others. This flying figure gives the whole composition a sense of movement rarely seen in monuments of this kind.

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Inception: 1923

Creator: William Goscombe John

Made from material: granite, bronze

GPS coordinates: 54.97860,-1.61280

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:47