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    © Imperial War Museums 2026

    Memorial

    Machine Gun Corps - The Boy David

    Machine Gun Corps - The Boy David

    Source: Copyright Franco Pfaller

    1/6

    Current Location

    On the edge of the gardens. Eastern side of Albert Bridge, Chelsea Embankment Garden, Chelsea Embankment, Chelsea, Kensington And Chelsea, Greater London, SW3 5QZ, England

    OS Grid Reference

    TQ 27427 77661

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    Names listed on this memorial

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    © WMR-60694

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    Type of Memorial
    Sculptured / Cast figure
    WMR Reference Number
    60694
    Description
    Figure of the Boy David, naked, with a sling in his left hand, a sword in his right and head of Goliath at his feet. It is placed upon a granite column on a two-stepped concrete base on which are three dedicatory tablets.
    Inscription
    Front: The original Boy David sculptured in bronze by / Francis Derwent Wood was the model for the Machine Gun Corps memorial which stands at Hyde Park Corner / and was presented to the Borough of Chelsea in 1963 / but was later stolen. This bronze fibreglass replacement was sculptured by / E. Bainbridge Copnall 1903 - 1973 / and set on the granite column / which the sculptor donated to the / Royal Borough of Kensignton and Chelsea. The Machine Gun Corps Old Comrades' Association / lives on and a Century later continues to. / Remember the brave men who fought with the / Machine Gun Corps from 1915 to 1922. East side: The Boy David/ by Bainbridge Copnall MBE PPRBS/ A memorial to the members of the / Machine Gun Corps / who served in World War One
    War
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Maker(s)
    • Derwent Wood, Designer

    • Edward Bainbridge Copnall MBE, FRBS, Sculptor

    • Derwent Wood, Makers

    Maintenance History
    2010: Some of the inscription is illegible, but it appears that the original figure was stolen c 1969 and replaced

    Ceremonies

    Dedicated

    8th May 1971

    Mayor Kensington and Chelsea

    Previous Location(s)

    St George's Hospital, Victoria, Chelsea, Kensington And Chelsea, Greater London, England

    Reason for move

    Set up in 1925

  • Old Town Hall, Chelsea, Kensington And Chelsea, Greater London, England

    Year of move

    AFTER 1946

  • Components

    Figure

    Made from: Synthetic Material


    Condition: Good


    Column

    Made from: Granite


    Condition: Good


    Tablets

    Made from: Slate


    Condition: Poor


    Base

    Made from: Concrete


    Condition: Good


    • Kensington Post - Friday 23 January 1970 THE FACELESS ONES
    • Kensington Post - Friday 07 May 1971 A new chapter for Boy David