Monument to General Forster, Kensal Green Cemetery, London 1866
I knew about this monument but there is only one, rather poor, photograph online showing it. However, I was contacted recently by a John Haines, who has been researching General Forster Walker for an update to the Kensall Green Cemetery guide and who had come across this website
According to John the monument is in a very prominent position, just north of the Anglican chapel ( in the background of one of the photos below). The monument is described in the Builder in 1866 and this names one of General Walker's children, Isabella, as being responsible for the monument. John tells me that she is the one child named on the monument who survived beyond age 3. She does not appear to have married but was obviously wealthy to pay for such a fine monument in such a position.
John's research states that Forster Walker (1781 - 1843) was in the East India Company Army and rose to command (briefly) the Bengal Presidency force. He died of cholera in India. Isabella herself is buried in Rome so the vault only contains her mother, Lydia Sarah Walker, nee Prattle, who died in France in 1864, two years before the monument was erected
The photos below have been provided by John and used with his permission. The line drawing is from the Builder as detailed below
The Builder, 28th April, 1866
"The monument shown by the accompanying engraving is placed in Kensal Green Cemetery, and was executed by Mr. J. Forsyth, from the design of Mr. Edward Blore, whose long attention to the study of monumental art is well known.......in the canopies at the angles are sculptured angels representing Faith, Hope, Charity and Patience "
According to John the monument is in a very prominent position, just north of the Anglican chapel ( in the background of one of the photos below). The monument is described in the Builder in 1866 and this names one of General Walker's children, Isabella, as being responsible for the monument. John tells me that she is the one child named on the monument who survived beyond age 3. She does not appear to have married but was obviously wealthy to pay for such a fine monument in such a position.
John's research states that Forster Walker (1781 - 1843) was in the East India Company Army and rose to command (briefly) the Bengal Presidency force. He died of cholera in India. Isabella herself is buried in Rome so the vault only contains her mother, Lydia Sarah Walker, nee Prattle, who died in France in 1864, two years before the monument was erected
The photos below have been provided by John and used with his permission. The line drawing is from the Builder as detailed below
The Builder, 28th April, 1866
"The monument shown by the accompanying engraving is placed in Kensal Green Cemetery, and was executed by Mr. J. Forsyth, from the design of Mr. Edward Blore, whose long attention to the study of monumental art is well known.......in the canopies at the angles are sculptured angels representing Faith, Hope, Charity and Patience "
