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Memorial

Major General C G Gordon

Gordon Statue 1

Source: Copyright Orphan

1/8

Current Location

Victoria Embankment Gardens, Victoria Embankment, Westminster, City Of Westminster, Greater London, WC2N 5DG, England

OS Grid Reference

TQ 30343 80197

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Names listed on this memorial

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© WMR-11541

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Memorial Details

Type of Memorial: Sculptured / Cast figure
WMR Reference Number: 11541
Description: GORDON REPRESENTED AS A STAFF OFFICER WEARING A PATROL JACKET. HIS HEAD IS SLIGHTLY INCLINED FORWARD, RESTING HIS CHIN ON HIS RIGHT HAND. HE CARRIES A CANE AND BIBLE AND RESTS HIS RIGHT FOOT ON A CANNON. BRONZE PANELS ON THE PLINTH REPRESENT FORTITUDE, FAITH, CHARITY AND JUSTICE
Inscription: CHARLES G. GORDON, C. B., MAJOR-GENERAL, ROYAL ENGINEERS, KILLED AT KHARTOUM XXVI JANUARY, MDCCCLXXXV. FURTHER INSCRIPTIONS LIST ACTIONS IN WHICH GORDON WAS ENGAGED: (SOUTH) CRIMEA 1855 IN CHINA 1864 (WEST) QUINSAN SOOCHOW (NORTH) SOUDAN KHARTOUM (EAST) GRAVESEND EQUATOR (WEST) RIGHT/ FEARS NO/ MIGHT

Commemoration

War: Egypt and the Sudan (1882-1899)
Number Commemorated: 1
Died: 1
Information shown: surname,rank,year died,regiment,place of death,forename,decorations

History

Maker(s): SIR WILLIAM HAMO THORNYCROFT RA, Sculptor
Sponsor Type: other
Sponsored By: " The Govenment voted Gordon's family £20,000 for his statue" Richard Graham 14/03/01
Additional Cost/Sponsorship Information: Voted by the House of Commons in 1885.

Ceremonies

Unveiled

16th October 1888

UNKNOWN

Previous Location(s)

Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, City Of Westminster, Greater London, England

Year of move

1953

Reason for move

HAD STOOD IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE FROM 1888. PLACED IN STORAGE IN 1943 TO MAKE ROOM FOR A LANCASTER BOMBER, REPLACED on new site IN 1953.

Conservation

Custodian: 1999: English Heritage.

Components

Pedestal

Made from: Stone - Limestone (ingleton)

Condition: Good

Steps

Made from: Granite

Condition: Good

Figure

Height: 3100MM

Made from: Bronze

Condition: Good

Further Information

The Times 16 Oct. 1888 p.10 '[The statue] will be uncovered this morning at 11.30, but, as in the cases of the neighbouring monuments to Sir Charles Napier and Sir Henry Havelock, there will not be any formal ceremony of unveiling.'
Illustrated London News 20 Oct. 1888 p.447 Statue was uncovered on 16 October without formal ceremony.
Copy image of Gen. Gordon's statue in Trafalgar Square pre WW2 in snowball scene.
LONDON'S OPEN AIR STATUARY by GLEICHEN pp. 10-11 Source: Image Library Published:LONGMAN'S, GREEN & CO 1928 LONDON
LONDON STATUES: A GUIDE TO LONDONS OUTDOOR STATUES AND SCULPTURE by BYRON, A p.133 Source: Image Library NIWM Published:CONSTABLE 1981 LONDON
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Sir (William) Hamo Thornycroft (1850-1925) Published:Oxford University Press 2004 'He followed the advice of Gordon's brother, Sir Henry Gordon, to make the statue "as little 'military' as possible" and instead stressed " strength of mind, love, kindness,affection"...Gordon's medidtative gaze makes him the "Mower" 's kindred spirit...'
LONDON'S IMMORTALS:THE COMPLETE OUTDOOR COMMEMORATIVE STATUES by BLACKWOOD, JOHN pp.268-9 Source: Image Library Published:SAVOY PRESS LTD 1989 LONDON & OXFORD
Evening Standard 16 Oct. 2013 Photo c1910-20 from the collection of the London & Middlesex Archaeological Society showing Trafalgar Square and the statue of Gen Gordon.