St. George On World War I Memorial - Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 54° 58.684 W 001° 36.789
30U E 588760 N 6093230
This war memorial commemorates the men of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers who gave their lives in the Great War. The regiment was one of the 'Six Old Corps' entitled to use their 'ancient badge' (St George killing the Dragon) on Regimental Colours
Waymark Code: WMNKQ9
Location: North East England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 03/30/2015
Views: 6
The Memorial and Figure of St. George.
Situated next to the West end of St. Thomas's Church at Barras Bridge. This statue has a central pedestal surmounting a curved ensemble of Portland Stone steps, terrace and benches. This is a First World War Memorial to the fallen of the 6th (Territorial) Battalion of Northumberland Fusiliers. There is also an added World War Two dedication to the 43rd and 49th Battalion Royal Tank Regiment. The life size bronze figure stands sheathing his sword over the severed head of the dragon while the pedestal below is decorated with an enamel on the same theme.
St. George
St. George was a Christian Roman soldier from Palestine, who reached the rank of Tribunus in the Guard of the emperor Diocletian.
In AD 302 Diocletian issued an edict against Christians in the army and insisted that every 2nd one should renounce their faith and offer a sacrifice to the Roman Gods.
George appealed to the Emperor to reverse this decision, but Diocletian refused and tried to persuade George to do as he asked. When George refused Diocletian had him tortured and then decapitated in Nicomedia on April 23rd AD 303. This act by George persuaded Empress Alexandra and Athanasius a pagan priest to convert to Christianity and they too were martyred.
George’s body was returned to Palestine, and soon many Christians came to honour him as a martyr.
St. George is associated with the slaying of a dragon, a tale that was brought back from the Crusades in the Medieval period.
St George’s feast day is the 23rd April, the day on which he was martyred. He is one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic (Westernand Eastern Rites), Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and the Oriental Orthodox churches.
He is also one of the most prominent military saints and one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers who each guard against diseases. In the case of St. George he protects the health of domestic animals.
He is usually portrayed slaying a dragon, often with a lance, or sometimes a sword. He also wears the Cross of St George, or sometimes it appears on his shield.
He is the Patron Saint of England, Georgia, Egypt, Bulgaria, Aragon, Catalonia, Romania,Ethiopia, Greece, India, Iraq, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, Serbia, Ukraine, Russia, the Maltese Island of Gozo and a number of large cities.
He is represented with the cross of St. George, a red cross on a white background. This has been adopted as the flag of England, Republic of Genoa, Liguria, Georgia, Catalonia, Aragon and other places.
Associated Religion(s): Christian
Statue Location: West end of St. Thomas's Church at Barras Bridge.
Entrance Fee: None
Artist: John Reid
Website: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
Take a picture of the statue. A waymarker and/or GPSr is not required to be in the image but it doesn't hurt.