Royal Naval Division Memorial
Royal Naval Division Memorial, War memorial at Horse Guards Parade, England.
Description
The Royal Naval Division Memorial is a war memorial at Horse Guards Parade featuring an obelisk that rises from a wide base sculpted with water spouts in the form of lion heads. Carved military insignia adorns the stone surfaces throughout the structure.
History
Edwin Lutyens designed this memorial, which was unveiled in 1925 to honor members of the 63rd Royal Naval Division who died in the First World War. The structure was removed in 1939 when the Admiralty Citadel was built nearby, spent years at Greenwich, and returned to its current location in 2003.
Culture
The memorial displays engraved words from Rupert Brooke's poem 'III: The Dead' on its stone surface, connecting literature to remembrance. These inscriptions shape how visitors experience this space and reflect how the armed forces were memorialized through art and poetry.
Practical
The memorial sits in a public location in central London and is visible during daylight hours, though the Horse Guards Parade occasionally closes for ceremonial events. It helps to check in advance whether official functions are scheduled on the day you plan to visit.
Did you know?
The memorial has an unusual history of relocation that many visitors overlook - it was dismantled and moved to Greenwich in 1939, then returned to its original spot in 2003. This journey reflects how the site adapted to changing needs while remaining a focal point for remembrance across decades.
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