The village of Waldridge grew up in response to a growing need for workmen's housing associated with Waldridge Colliery in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is known that a Methodist Church was once located in the village at the time that the colliery was in use but this has now been demolished. During the First World War many men of the collieries of Durham went to serve for their country and as a result many of them died. War memorials are common features of villages and towns up and down the country and are located in public places where they can be seen. Waldridge is no exception only that the previous focal point of the village, the Methodist Church, is no longer extant. The memorial is in the form of a Roll of Honour dedicated to the men of the colliery who served and fell and it is now located in the Village Hall.