The War Poetry Website
The Renwick Memorial, Newcastle
(The Response)
The Renwick Memorial, (The Response) at Barras Bridge, Newcastle, is considered to be one of the finest of its kind in the country. Unveiled by the Prince of Wales as part of a visit that he made to the city in July 1923. The memorial was commissioned by Sir George and Lady Renwick and given to the city in 1923 to commemorate three events: the raising of the Commercial Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers; the return of the five Renwick sons from the war; and Sir George Renwick’s attainment of 50 years of commercial life on Newcastle Quayside.
Described by Alan Borg, a former Director General of the Imperial War Museum as “one of the finest sculptural ensembles on any British monument.” Goscombe John (see also Port Sunlight War Memorial) designed ‘The Response 1914′ as a narrative sculpture depicting soldiers marching off to war watched by ‘Renown’ while women and children bid them farewell.
