Memorial

HMS Orlando

Mark Newton 5 August 2016

Source: Copyright Mark Newton 5 August 2016

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Current Location

Victoria Park, Bishop Crispian Way, Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3HJ, England

SU 63901 00401

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Type of Memorial: Bells or bell tower
WMR Reference Number: 21433
Description: Elaborate monument in the form of pagoda supporting a bronze bell with inscriptions on the stone block that forms a base for the pagoda columns and peaked roof. A tower of Chinese design, in which is hung a Chinese bell taken from the Taku Forts. On the bell are two inscriptions: "Come pleasant weather and gentle rain; the Empire's happy at peace again." The other panels contain contain the names of the officers and men who died during the commission or who lost lives in the Chinese campaign, in all of the principal engagements of which H.M.S. Orlando was represented. The roof of the memorial, supported by four red granite pillars, has the eaves raised and pointed so that in accordance with Chinese ideas the evil spirits may fall off.
Inscription: THIS BELL WAS TAKEN AT THE CAPTURE OF THE NORTH-WEST FORT, TAKU, JUNE 17 1900, AND BROUGHT HOME BY HMS ORLANDO/ COME PLEASANT WEATHER AND GENTLE RAIN/ THE EMPIRE HAPPY, AT PEACE AGAIN/ THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED BY THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF HMS ORLANDO IN MEMORY OF THEIR COMRADES WHO LOST THEIR LIVES DURING THE COMMISSION 1899 - 1902 TAKU FORTS, TIENTSIN AND THE DEFENCE OF THE LEGATION, PEKIN. (NAMES)

War: Boxer Rebellion (1899-1902)
Number Commemorated: 7
Died: 7
Information shown: location and year of the action, initial, surname, details

Sponsor Type: private
Maintenance History: SURVEYED SEPTEMBER 1984: SOME OPEN JOINTS AND STONEWORK BADLY STAINED, PARTICULARLY TO CANOPY STRUCTURE. SMALL AREA OF SURFACE EROSION TO PLINTH ON ONE CORNER. BRONZE BELL REQUIRES OVERHAULING TO CHECK STABILITY AND SURFACE TREATMENT. SHRUBS AROUND BASE TEND TO OBSCURE MONUMENT INFORMATION TAKEN FROM SURVEY CARRIED OUT BY PORTSMOUTH CITY MUSEUMS DEPARTMENT AND DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE AND CIVIC DESIGN IN 1984. SEE FILE FOR COMPLETE INDEXED DOCUMENT WITH 59 ENTRIES, INCLUDING THOSE RELATING TO NON-MILITARY MEMORIALS IN THE CITY. CONDITION ASSESSMENTS TRANSFERRED DIRECTLY: A = URGENT = POOR. B = LIMITED REQUIREMENT = AT RISK. C = SOUND = GOOD