Plaque

Coronation of George VI - fig tree

Erection date: 17/3/1937

Inscription

Coronation Planting Committee
This fig-tree was given and planted on St. Patrick's Day 1937 by Sir Evan Spicer, DL, to commemorate the crowning of King George VI.
Arthur G. B. West - Rector

This plaque was planned during turbulent times in the royal-watching community. Here's the time-line: 20 January 1936, George V died and Edward ascended the throne as King Edward VIII. 10 December 1936, Edward abdicated. 17 March 1937 fig tree planted. 12 May 1937 coronation of King George VI on the date previously intended for Edward's coronation.

One wonders how the St Dunstans plaque erectors felt when they heard the news on 10 December, with the fig tree on order for 17 March, and a plaque commemorating the coronation of King Edward VIII all ready to go. See the plaque at the City of London School for a plaque committee with an even worse tale of woe to tell.

Site: St Dunstan's in the East (3 memorials)

EC3, St Dunstan's Hill, St Dunstan's in the East Garden

These three plaques are on the south side of the south wall of the ruined church. Our photo shows all three plaques, left to right: fig tree; Gyle-Thomson; garden.

Built c. 1100 this church was severely damaged in the 1666 Great Fire. It was patched up and a Wren-designed tower and steeple was added.  1817-21 the church was rebuilt, retaining the Wren tower and steeple. The church was very badly damaged in the 1941 Blitz, though the tower and steeple survived. It was decided not to rebuild, but to turn the site into a garden amongst the ruins. The public garden opened in 1971 and is, 2020, a truly delightful place to each your sandwiches, or shot your fashion photos as happened on one of our visits.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Coronation of George VI - fig tree

Subjects commemorated i

Coronation of King George VI

George VI's coronation at Westminster Abbey took place on 12 May 1937, the da...

Read More

King George VI

Became king when his brother, Edward VIII, abdicated. Like his father George ...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Coronation of George VI - fig tree

Created by i

Sir Evan Spicer

Liberal and London Progressive politician who served for 30 years (1889 - 191...

Read More

Arthur G. B. West

We were delighted to find this Jack Boothe drawing of West in The Vancouver P...

Read More

This section lists the other memorials at the same location as the memorial on this page:
Coronation of George VI - fig tree

Also at this site i

Hugh Gyle-Thomson

Hugh Gyle-Thomson

The plaque spells Thomson without a 'p' and, given the Hugh Gyle-Thompson tha...

Read More

St Dunstan's Garden

St Dunstan's Garden

It's not possible to read all the text but the 1345 date confirms that our (n...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Susan Daniel rose bed - St Mary's

Susan Daniel rose bed - St Mary's

N1, Dagmar Terrace, St Mary's Church Gardens

The Susan Daniel Rose Bed The roses in this flower bed are named after Susan Daniel who lives in Islington. The rose was introduced at t...

7 subjects commemorated
Regina Fong

Regina Fong

NW1, Camden High Street, 171, The Black Cap Public House

The plaque is in the first floor garden terrace bar. Our colleague Alan Patient informs us that the Black Cap closed suddenly in about A...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Sir Alfred Munnings - Glebe Place

Sir Alfred Munnings - Glebe Place

SW3, Glebe Place, 65

A local resident said that this plaque (and the one next door, to William McMillan) is spurious and was erected by developers purely to b...

1 subject commemorated
Martin Andrews

Martin Andrews

WC1, Doughty Mews, 20

Erected between 2015 (when the property was being renovated) and 2021, the plaque is made of manganese nickel brass, by FSE Foundry.

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Church Street pavement plaque - 1863 - underground

Church Street pavement plaque - 1863 - underground

NW8, Salisbury Street, Morris House

The eleven pavement plaques can be seen randomly distributed over this paved area. The Nightingale Street Buildings plaque can just be se...

1 subject commemorated

Previously viewed

Capt. F. E. Bendix, MRCS, MRCP, LDS

Capt. F. E. Bendix, MRCS, MRCP, LDS

Assistant Commissioner in the St John Ambulance Brigade, No. 1 (Prince of Wales's) District, 1924-1944. Commander in the Order of St John.

Person, Emergency Services, Medicine, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Red Bus Recording Studios

Red Bus Recording Studios

NW8, Salisbury Street, 34

Unveiled by Sinitta.

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Angelo Colarossi, Jnr and Snr

Angelo Colarossi, Jnr and Snr

From:johncoulthart: ". . the model for Eros was one Angelo Colarossi whose father was also named Angelo Colarossi and was the model for Leighton’s python wrangler. Colarossi Snr, an Italian immigr...

Group, Art, Italy

1 memorial