War memorials

London: Royal Naval Division Memorial Fountain

Architect: Sir Edwin Lutyens
Location: Horse Guards Parade, London

The memorial to the Royal Naval Division features the names of prominent regimental actions, along with the badges of the various regiments that made up the division. In 1940, to allow construction of the adjacent citadel building, the memorial was removed and stored until 1952, when it was re-erected in Greenwich. After a long campaign by the Division, supported by HRH The Prince of Wales, the memorial was returned to its rightful place in 2003 – the plinth having remained undamaged throughout the building work on the citadel.

Churchill was extremely complimentary about Lutyens’ elegant design. The following text is part of the address by Winston Churchill at the unveiling of the Memorial on Horse Guards, on the 10th anniversary of the Gallipoli Landings, 25th April 1925. “Everyone, I think, must admire the grace & simplicity of this Fountain, which the genius of Lutyens has designed. The site is also well chosen. Here, under the shadow of the Admiralty building, where, 11 years ago, the Royal Naval Division was called into martial life, this monument now records their fame and preserves their memory… Doubts and disillusions may be answered by the sure assertion that the sacrifice of these men was not made in vain. And this Fountain to the memory of the Royal Naval Division will give forth not only the waters of honour, but the waters of healing and the waters of hope.”

Gavin Stamp