Earl Haig Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Earl Haig Memorial |
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
The Earl Haig Memorial
|
|
| Artist | Alfred Frank Hardiman |
| Medium | Bronze |
| Subject | Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig |
| Location | Whitehall, Westminster, London |
| 51°30′15″N 0°07′35″W / 51.50426°N 0.12631°W | |
|
Listed Building – Grade II*
|
|
| Official name | Statue of Field Marshal Earl Haig |
| Designated | 9 July 2014 |
| Reference no. | 1066109 |
The Earl Haig Memorial is a large bronze statue in London. It shows Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig riding a horse. He was an important British commander during World War I. The statue is located on Whitehall in Westminster.
The famous sculptor Alfred Frank Hardiman created this memorial. It was ordered by the British Parliament in 1928. It took eight years to finish. Many people had strong opinions about the statue. They criticized how the Field Marshal was riding and even the horse's shape. The words on the base say: 'Field Marshal Earl Haig Commander-in-Chief of the British Armies in France 1915–1918'.
Contents
Creating the Memorial
Hardiman won a competition to design the statue. Other sculptors like Gilbert Ledward also competed. Hardiman's first design showed Haig on a classic warhorse. This style was inspired by old statues from the Renaissance period.
Public Opinion and Changes
The newspapers and Lady Haig (Earl Haig's wife) had different ideas. They wanted the statue to look more like the real Earl Haig. They also wanted it to show his actual horse, named Poperinghe.
Hardiman tried to make everyone happy. He created a second design. But this new design didn't please anyone. So, the government stepped in. They decided to let Hardiman create the statue as he wanted. George Lansbury, a politician, wrote that he trusted Hardiman's artistic talent. He believed Hardiman would create a memorial worthy of Haig and the country.
Unveiling the Statue
The Earl Haig Memorial was officially revealed on 10 November 1937. Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester unveiled it. The very next day, Armistice Day, King George VI placed a wreath at its base. Armistice Day is a special day to remember those who served in wars.
Recent Views on the Memorial
Over the years, the memorial has received mixed reactions. Some people like it, while others have criticized it. In 1998, a newspaper called the Daily Express questioned the statue. They asked why it should "cast a shadow over our war dead."
In 2020, the statue was cleaned by soldiers. This happened after a public protest. The soldiers removed graffiti that had been written on the memorial.
