London - Cenotaph Prior to 1924. And Some Interesting Facts.

            The Postcard

A postcard bearing an early image of the London Cenotaph which was published by Valentine.  Nelson's Column is just visible in the background.

The card was posted to an address in Red Lion Square, Soham on Friday the 6th. June 1924.

The publisher has printed the following information on the back of the card:

"The Cenotaph is an imposing structure 
which is the Nation's War Memorial to 
"Our Glorious Dead".   
Situated in one of the great thoroughfares, 
it has become the centre of increasing 
interest for all".

The Cenotaph

The English word "cenotaph" derives from the Greek: κενοτάφιον kenotaphion (κενός kenos, meaning "empty", and τάφος taphos, "tomb").

Cenotaphs were common in the ancient world, with many built in Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and across Northern Europe (in the shape of Neolithic barrows).

The Cenotaph in Whitehall, London - designed in 1919 by Sir Edwin Lutyens - influenced the design of many other war memorials in Britain and in the British sectors of the Western Front, as well as those in other Commonwealth nations.

The Cenotaph was unveiled by King George V on the 11th. November 1920, and at the same time the Unknown Warrior was laid to rest in Westminster Abbey.  

Lutyens, described it as "An empty tomb uplifted on a high pedestal".  It was he who chose the inscription "The Glorious Dead" (i.e. not "Our Glorious Dead" as Valentine suggest).

The Cenotaph is made of Portland stone surmounted by a stone laurel wreath sculpted by Derwent Wood. He also carved the laurel wreaths at each end.

On each side of the monument there are three flagstaffs, each with a crown and laurel wreath at the top.

The Cenotaph weighs approximately 120 tons, and is 35 feet high.

Going south down Whitehall from Trafalgar Square, the street changes its name to Parliament Street somewhere near the Cenotaph. This has led to much confusion, with some postcards stating that the Cenotaph is in Parliament Street, and others telling us that it is in Whitehall. If anyone knows for sure, please leave a note.

HMS H51

So what else happened on the day that the card was posted?

Well, it was not a good day for the British H class submarine, HMS H51, which was commissioned on the 1st. September 1919.  On the 6th. June 1924 it was sold for scrap.

Taken in: United Kingdom / England / London / Whitehall (show map)

Taken on: November 10, 2010

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