Maiwand Lion Reading
Forbury Gardens is a public park in the
town of Reading in the heart of the English county of Berkshire, home of
the Royal Berkshire Regiment. The park was constructed on the site
of the outer court of Reading Abbey.
A more fitting place could not have been selected in my view as the park
breams with life, celebrating the freedom our children
can enjoy which these brave men and women paid the ultimate price.
The massive lion erected
in Forbury Gardens
commemorates the
gallant men
of the
66th
Foot at Maiwand - 1881 who's names are inscribed on the metal plates attached
to its plinth.
Not until after the South African War of 1899-1902 were such monuments
of this magnitude to become more popular.
You will at this point be wondering what a monument to the 66th Foot at
Maiwand has to do with Burma?
The answer to your question is that the 66th
Foot later became the 2nd Battalion The Royal Berkshire Regiment and this
is where many veterans lay tributes to the fallen.
Image 1 - The Maiwand lion.
Image 2 - Berkshiremen gathering around the lion prior to the start of the ceremony. click to view
Image 3 - The late Col. Lionel John Lindsay Hill standing to attention after placing the reef on behalf of the 2nd Battalion. click to view
Image No.1
Image No.2
Image No.3