Bust | War dead | WW2

Admiral Arthur Phillip

Erection date: 8/5/1968

Inscription

{On the west side, beneath the relief depicting a scene with 5 people on a shore:}
The discovery and fixing the site of Sydney on Wednesday, 23rd January, 1788.
Reading from left to right:
Surg. J. White, R.N.,
Capt. Arthur Phillip, R.N., founder,
Lieut. George Johnston, Marines A.D.C.,
Capt. John Hunter, R.N.,
and Capt. David Collins, Marines.

{On the east side, beneath the relief depicting a ship and rowing boat:}
The founding of Australia at Sydney on Saturday, 26th January, 1788.
Figures in rowing boat leaving H.M.S. Supply are:
Capt. Arthur Phillip, R.N.,
Lieut. P. Gidley King, R.N.,
and Lieut. George Johnston, Marines A.D.C.

{On the stone below the bust:}
In honour of Admiral Arthur Phillip R.N., Citizen of London, founder and first governor of Australia. Born in the ward of Bread Street 11th October 1738. Entered the Royal Navy 1753 and died 31st August 1814.

To his indomitable courage, prophetic vision, forbearance, faith, inspiration and wisdom was due the success of the first settlement in Australia at Sydney on Saturday 26th January 1788.

This memorial, originally erected at St Mildred's Church Bread Street, and unveiled by his late Royal Highness Prince George, KG, GCVO, RN on 7th December 1932, was presented by the late Charles Cheers, Baron Wakefield of Hythe CGE, LLD, Alderman of the ward of Bread Street, Lord Mayor of London 1915/16 to the citizens of London and the people of Australia as an enduring link between the motherland and the great island continent of Australia.

The church was destroyed by enemy action in 1941 but the bronze bust and plates were salvaged from its ruins.

This re-erected memorial was unveiled on May 8th 1968 by His Excellency the Honourable Sir Alexander Downer, KBE, High Commissioner for Australia and re-dedicated by the Right Reverend Francis Evered Junt, Bishop of Stepney.

Alderman of Bread Street ward: H Murray Fox, MA
Common Councilmen: S.R. Walker, CBE, Deputy,
R.M. Simon MA, LLB,
G.D. Trentham,
R.N. Steiner, MA
C. McAuley,
O.S.R. Rawson
Ward Clerk: S.D. Plummer, OFC

Site: Admiral Arthur Phillip (1 memorial)

EC4, Watling Street

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Admiral Arthur Phillip

Subjects commemorated i

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Admiral Arthur Phillip

Created by i

Sir Alexander Russell Downer, KBE

High Commissioner for Australia 1964-72.  Known as Alick and not to be confus...

Read More

Charles Cheers, Baron Wakefield of Hythe CGE, LLD

Charles Cheers Wakefield was born and raised in Liverpool. (Cheers was his mo...

Read More

George, Duke of Kent

Son of George V. Born York Cottage, Sandringham. Honorary member of Lincoln's...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

National Portrait Gallery - Stanhope

National Portrait Gallery - Stanhope

WC2, Charing Cross Road

This building, 1896, designed by Ewan Christian, has 18 busts contained in medallions around the top of the facades. Starting at the east...

1 subject commemorated
Bermondsey Library - 1 - Homer

Bermondsey Library - 1 - Homer

SE16, Spa Road, Old Bermondsey Library / Kagyu Samye Dzong Buddhist centre

We would not describe this face as ugly so it can't be Socrates. We reckon it's Homer - he's often shown with a beanie hat.

1 subject commemorated
Jemina Durning Smith

Jemina Durning Smith

SE11, Kennington Lane, Durning Library

Building designed by Sidney R. J. Smith.  The roundel is in the spandrel of the main ground floor window. The Ornamental Passions page...

1 subject commemorated
Hyde Park Barracks - Somerset and Raglan

Hyde Park Barracks - Somerset and Raglan

SW7, Kengsinton Road, Hyde Park Barracks - Officers' Mess

These two must be Somerset and Raglan but which is which we can't tell you.

2 subjects commemorated
George IV - Oxford Street

George IV - Oxford Street

W1, Oxford Street, 105, Hat factory - Henry Heath

These two relief roundels are above the two central third floor windows but even people who examine this facade may miss the royal visage...

1 subject commemorated