Statue

General Gordon statue

Erection date: 16/10/1888

Inscription

{On the front of the plinth:}
Charles G. Gordon CB , Major-Gen. Royal Engineers
Killed at Khartoum, XXV1 January MDCCCLXXXV {26 Jan.1885}

{The be-foliaged cornice of the plinth carries references to Gordon’s campaigns:}
Crimea 1855
China 1864
Gravesend
Equator
Soudan
Khartoum
Quinsan
Soochow

{The left and right sides of the plinth each carry a large bronze relief. The plinth frieze carries the titles, on the left:}
Fortitude, Faith
{Fortitude’s shield reads “Right fears no might”.}

{on the right:}
Charity, Justice

{Each panel is inscribed:}
Hamo Thornycroft 1888
{The attachment for the panel on the left has obliterated the last 2 digits.}

{Below the panel on the right, carved in the stone:}
Hamo Thornycroft, RA, Sc. 1888

{On the base of the statue:}
Hamo Thornycroft, ARA, Sc. 1887

Prompted by us publishing this statue Margaret Wright sent lots of information including:

1888 this statue was originally erected in Trafalgar Square between the two fountains. Getty have a c.1935 photo of it there. It was removed in 1943 and in 1953 re-erected in its current location but lacking part of its pedestal. An exact copy, with the full pedestal, was erected in Melbourne, Australia in 1889. Gordon had no particular connection with Australia.

2023: Michiel Hegener pointed out that there is a book about this sculpture: Hamo Thornycroft & the Martyr General (1991) bij Adam White, published by the Henry Moore Centre for the Study of Sculpture, Leeds City Art Galleries.

Site: General Gordon statue (1 memorial)

SW1, Victoria Embankment, Victoria Embankment Gardens - Whitehall section

2024: Gordon's School's annual Memorial Weekend, in January, includes their marching band processing along Whitehall to this statue. The band has around 30 bagpipers, 10 snare drummers, 6 tenor drummers and two bass drummers - here's the video.

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This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
General Gordon statue

Subjects commemorated i

Major General Charles George Gordon

Army officer. Made his military reputation in China. Achieved lasting fame th...

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This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
General Gordon statue

Created by i

Sir Hamo Thornycroft

Sculptor. Born William Hamo Thornycroft (but the William is normally dropped)...

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