Statue of the Viscount Slim, London facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Statue of the Viscount Slim |
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The statue in 2006
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| Artist | Ivor Roberts-Jones |
| Year | 1993 |
| Type | Sculpture |
| Medium | Sculpture: Bronze Pedestal: Portland stone |
| Subject | William Slim, 1st Viscount Slim |
| Dimensions | 3 m (9.8 ft) |
| Location | Whitehall, City of Westminster, London SW1, England, United Kingdom |
| 51°30′14″N 0°07′33″W / 51.5038°N 0.1259°W | |
The statue of William Slim, 1st Viscount Slim in Whitehall, London, is a special artwork. It was created by the sculptor Ivor Roberts-Jones between 1988 and 1993. This statue honors a very important British military leader from World War II.
It is one of three statues of British military leaders on Raleigh Green. This area is outside the Ministry of Defence building. The other statues are of Lord Montgomery and Lord Alanbrooke. Slim's statue is made of bronze and stands about 3 meters (10 feet) tall. It rests on a base made of Portland stone.
Contents
The Story Behind the Statue
Why Build a Statue for Slim?
In early 1988, a group called the Burma Star Association started a plan. They wanted to build a memorial for Viscount Slim. Eight sculptors were asked to show their ideas for the statue. Five of them agreed to compete. These included Ivor Roberts-Jones, James Butler, David Norris, Christopher Marvell, and Michael Rizzello.
People started donating money for the statue in June 1988. The location for the statue was chosen near the existing statue of Montgomery in Whitehall. Slim's son, the second Viscount Slim, had a special request. He wanted the statue to show his father as his troops remembered him. This meant wearing a "Bush hat" and "jungle dress."
The Sculptor and His Vision
Ivor Roberts-Jones's design was chosen as the winner. Slim's wife loved the design, saying it captured "Bill's stance and jawline just right." His son also approved. Roberts-Jones himself had fought under Slim during the Burma Campaign in World War II. He was even a member of the Burma Star Association.
Roberts-Jones deeply admired Slim. He called him "the one genuine hero I have ever personally laid eyes on." He had met Slim in a paddy field in Burma in March 1945. The sculptor often reread Slim's books, Defeat into Victory and Unofficial History. He based the statue's pose on a photo of Slim from one of these books.
Unveiling the Statue
Queen Elizabeth II officially revealed the statue on April 28, 1993. She reportedly said it was "not before time" for such a tribute. This project was very important to Roberts-Jones. His assistant said it was a "labour of love" for the artist. Roberts-Jones was happy that Slim's statue would be his lasting legacy.
What the Statue Shows
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The Portland stone base of the statue has special words carved into it. These carvings were made by David Kindersley.
On the front of the base, it says:
- FIELD MARSHAL
- THE VISCOUNT SLIM
- (followed by his many military honors)
- 14TH ARMY. BURMA
- 1943–1945
- GOVERNOR GENERAL AND
- COMMANDER IN CHIEF
- AUSTRALIA 1953–1960
On the back of the base, it lists more of his important roles:
- COMMANDER IN CHIEF
- ALLIED LAND FORCES SOUTH EAST ASIA
- CHIEF OF THE IMPERIAL GENERAL STAFF
- GOVERNOR AND CONSTABLE
- WINDSOR CASTLE
On the left and right sides of the base, it simply says:
- DEFEAT INTO VICTORY
This is the title of Slim's famous book about the Burma Campaign.
Around the bottom step of the statue, the names of important battles are carved:
Finally, on the back of the statue's own base, you can find the sculptor's name and the foundry that cast the bronze:
- IVOR ROBERTS JONES R.A.
- CAST BY
- MERIDIAN FINE ART
- LONDON
