Plaque

Coronation of King George V

Bexleyheath Clock Tower Coronation of King George V

Erection date: 8/1/1912

Inscription

This tower was erected by public subscription as a loyal tribute from the inhabitants of Bexleyheath to commemorate the coronation of His Majesty King George V, 1911.
C. Sheldon J.P. - Chairman Bexley Urban District Council
Thomas C. Baynes - clerk
Walter V. Epps A.R.I.B.A. - architect

This is the foundation stone of the tower.

Site: Bexleyheath Clock Tower (5 memorials)

DA6, Bexleyheath Market Place

The four niches contain, reading clockwise, starting at the north: empty; Morris; Queen Elizabeth; King George V.

London's Screen Archives have a 3 minute film of the opening event, silent of course, but you can join in the rousing "three cheers". The centenary celebrations included a booklet: 'Changing Times: The Broadway, Bexleyheath, 1812-1912', which is very informative and shows some designs for the tower. It contained an electricity substation in the base, for the trams. On opening, of the tower's 4 niches only one was filled, with George V. Epps' speech finished with "I hope to see all the niches filled with busts of members of  the Royal Family.” The Morris bust rather ruined that plan but the Centenary celebrations included the launch of an appeal for the Elizabeth II bust.

Can any Bexleyheathians help us with a question? If what we've read about the George V bust is true, it means that the tower was totally devoid of busts from 1935 - 1997. Can any one confirm this?

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesof london.co.uk

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Coronation of King George V

Subjects commemorated i

Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary

King George V and Queen Mary. Vita Sackville-West's novel "The Edwardians" ha...

Read More

King George V

Reigned: 1910 - 1936.  Born third in line to the throne, after his father (wh...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Coronation of King George V

Created by i

Thomas Godfrey Baynes

Clerk to Bexley Urban District Council. Thomas Godfrey Baynes was born on 15...

Read More

Walter Maxted Epps, FRIBA

Both the booklets Changing Times: The Broadway, Bexleyheath, 1812-1912 and Ch...

Read More

George Adam Sheldon

JP and Chairman of Bexley Urban District Council 1909-1917. George Adam Shel...

Read More

This section lists the other memorials at the same location as the memorial on this page:
Coronation of King George V

Also at this site i

Bexleyheath Clock Tower Centenary

Bexleyheath Clock Tower Centenary

To mark the centenary of the Bexleyheath coronation memorial clock tower 1912...

Read More

King George V - Bexleyheath bust

King George V - Bexleyheath bust

The original temporary plaster bust was unveiled at the tower's opening cerem...

Read More

Queen Elizabeth II - Bexleyheath bust

Queen Elizabeth II - Bexleyheath bust

Sculpted by Frances Segelman and erected to commemorate the 60th anniversary ...

Read More

William Morris - Bexleyheath bust

William Morris - Bexleyheath bust

Morris lived very nearby in The Red House for 5 years. This bust was unveiled...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Temple Bar - Temple Bar Trust

Temple Bar - Temple Bar Trust

EC4, Paternoster Square

There are 3 inscribed stones laid into the pavement under Temple Bar. They commemorate: The commencement of the work for the return of th...

4 subjects commemorated
Titanic Memorial Garden

Titanic Memorial Garden

SE10, King William Walk, National Maritime Museum garden

The white information board that can be seen in the photograph reads: "The Titanic Memorial Garden was established by the National Marit...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Ken Colyer

Ken Colyer

WC2, Great Newport Street, 10-11

Ken Colyer, 1928 - 1988, played New Orleans Jazz here in the basement 'Studio 51', 1950 - 1973. Westminster City Council

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
William Charles Niblett

William Charles Niblett

EC4, Inner Temple

The date of birth given on the plaque, 1856, is wrong. Niblett was born in 1851.

1 subject commemorated
PP - 4N - Lucas

PP - 4N - Lucas

EC1, Edward Street

This garden acquired its name due to its popularity as a lunchtime garden with workers from the nearby General Post Office (long gone). ...

2 subjects commemorated, 2 creators