A blue plaque was unveiled by the Mayor of Sunderland today at Houghton Hall to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of the 160th Wearside Brigade who were recruited for the First World War on this day a hundred years ago and had their HQ in Houghton. The overwhelming majority of the new recruits, including the officers, hailed from Sunderland, Wearside and the surrounding districts including Whitburn, Seaham and Gateshead. These men came from all walks of life, “from the privileged well educated families of rich industrialists, to the poorest labourers that worked in the mines and shipyards.” This brigade went on to serve in some of the decisive battles of the First World War including Passchendaele. This new plaque is a tribute to their sacrifice and reads:
160th (Wearside) Brigade Royal Field Artillery
Houghton Hall was the original HQ of the Brigade and home for the initial 750 locally raised volunteers in 1915. The brigade served with distinction in many famous battles of the First World War.
Lest we forget.
A good crowd of local dignitaries, the author of a history of the Brigade Phil Adams, servicemen and relatives of the soldiers of the Brigade gathered to watch the unveiling and then enjoyed some light refreshments at the Kepier Hall where an extensive exhibition was on display about the First World War. Here are some of the images from the exhibition: