Plaque

(lost) W. S. Gilbert's death

W. S. Gilbert's death
Inscription

Sir William Gilbert's ornamental lake
This artificial lake formed part of Sir William Gilbert's garden at Grims Dyke and was created under his direct supervision by fourteen gardeners. It was here on 29th May 1911 that Sir William died helping a young female house guest who had got into difficulties whilst swimming. Sir William along with his beloved wife Lucy Gilbert and adopted daughter Nancy MacKintosh are all laid to rest in the churchyard of St. John's Church Stanmore.

We thank Matt Brown of Londonist for the photo of the plaque, taken in about 2007. Recently both we and Matt have, separately, failed to find it, so a status of 'lost' is a fair assumption. All we found was a stump in the ground beside the lake. The search is complicated by the fact that there are multiple ponds in the grounds. Wikipedia explains that following Gilbert's death his wife had the lake drained and since then plants have grown and various ponds formed so there is no way of knowing where the lake was in 1911.

Site: W. S. Gilbert's death (1 memorial)

HA3, Old Redding, Pond in grounds of Grim's Dyke

A small island in the lake was, 1880 to 1938, home to the Soho Square Charles II statue. Seems it was removed for restoration but, from the state of it now, it's difficult to believe that ever happened. Wikipedia has a drawing of the statue on the island.

See the blue plaque at the building for more information about Grim's Dyke itself.

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:
W. S. Gilbert's death

Subjects commemorated i

W. S. Gilbert

Playwright, lyricist & poet. Born 17 Southampton Street as William Schwen...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Celia Blairman House

Celia Blairman House

E1, Folgate Street, 31

There is an almost identical plaque on Philip Blairman HouseĀ in Elder Street.

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Laurie Cunningham - N4

Laurie Cunningham - N4

N4, Lancaster Road, 73

Laurie Cunningham, 1956 - 1989, England international footballer lived here. English Heritage

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Bowler plaque - Scissors and Buttons - Brick Lane south

Bowler plaque - Scissors and Buttons - Brick Lane south

E1, Brick Lane

There is meant to be another identical plaque further north in Brick Lane but we cannot find it. This cast-iron roundel, showing buttons ...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Spandau Ballet

Spandau Ballet

WC2, Great Queen Street, 4

Spandau Ballet first performed here 5 December 1979 at the Blitz Club. PRS for Music Heritage Award

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Hackney Almshouses for Disabled Soldiers & Sailors - erected

Hackney Almshouses for Disabled Soldiers & Sailors - erected

E5, Wattisfield Road

Designed by architects Gunton and Gunton and opened in 1923. These alsmhouses consist of a row of six cottages with a pair of semi-detach...