St. George and the Dragon Statue

The striking bronze statue you see depicts Saint George in the midst of a battle, his spear firmly thrust into the throat of a coiled, dragon-like beast. It serves as a somber war memorial for the St. John's Wood area, commemorating those who gave their lives during the First World War. The sculpture was created by Charles Leonard Hartwell, a prominent artist of the early twentieth century known for his ability to bring dynamic movement to bronze casting. You might notice how the figure of the saint sits atop a tall pedestal made of Portland stone. This design was unveiled in nineteen twenty-three by Earl Haig, a senior officer of the British Army. The statue is a second casting of an original memorial, with another version standing in Newcastle upon Tyne. It was donated to the community in the mid-thirties by the painter and local benefactor Sigismund Goetze, who sought to provide a fitting tribute for the neighborhood.