Erection date: 16/10/1888
{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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