Royal Tank Regiment Memorial

Royal Tank Regiment Memorial stands in the City of Westminster, London, at the junction of Whitehall Place and Whitehall Court, a short walk from the Thames. The bronze group honours the soldiers of the Royal Tank Regiment, the British armoured corps, and shows a five-man tank crew from the Second World War.

What does the memorial show?

The sculpture is a group of figures slightly larger than life, portraying the crew of a Comet tank, one of Britain's late-war designs. The men are caught mid-action: the commander scans the surroundings through binoculars, while the gunner, loader, driver and hull machine gunner, armed with a machine gun, are at their posts. The tank itself is absent. The monument focuses on the people who fought inside it, which gives it a more personal feel than many military memorials.

Who made it and when was it unveiled?

English sculptor Vivien Mallock created the work, enlarging a small maquette made in 1953 by the Scottish artist George Henry Paulin. That original model is kept at the Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset. Queen Elizabeth II unveiled the memorial on 13 June 2000, in her role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Tank Regiment.

Where exactly is it?

The memorial sits beside Whitehall Court, next to Whitehall Place, in London's government quarter. This area of ministries and state buildings lies between Trafalgar Square and the Palace of Westminster. It is a separate monument from the other war memorials along Whitehall itself, and a much newer one.

How do you get there?

Walking is easiest from Embankment or Charing Cross stations, both a few minutes away. From Trafalgar Square, head towards Westminster and turn towards the river. Driving makes little sense: central London charges drivers, and parking is scarce and expensive. City buses stop along Whitehall nearby.

How long should you allow, and when should you go?

The memorial is outdoors on a public street, so you can see it at any hour and without a ticket. Ten to fifteen minutes is plenty, ideally as part of a wider Westminster stroll. Mornings are quieter, and low sun brings out the detail in the bronze figures.

What else is nearby?

Trafalgar Square, Horse Guards, Downing Street, the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben are all close. The riverside path along Victoria Embankment offers a pleasant route back towards Charing Cross. Together these make an easy half-day walk through government London.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entry fee? No. The memorial stands on the street and is free to view at any time.

Who unveiled it? Queen Elizabeth II, on 13 June 2000, as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Tank Regiment.

What does the sculpture depict? A five-man Second World War Comet tank crew, made by Vivien Mallock from a maquette by George Henry Paulin.

Where can you see the original maquette? At the Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset, which holds Paulin's 1953 model.