Charles Ritchie mentions that the railings surrounding Berkeley Square have been removed in the war. He correctly guesses the square will not return to being a private garden.
Many London squares are still private and are maintained at the expense of the residents. Berkeley Square and Grosvenor Square remained open to the public after the war. When I walked through the latter last week I noticed this obelisk, a memorial in sandstone to the Eagle Squadrons.
“The four sides of the stone column each bear inscriptions. The main side, to the north, has a spread eagle from the Great Seal of the United States, holding arrows in one claw and an olive branch in the other, and an inscription EAGLE SQUADRONS / THIS MEMORIAL IS TO THE / MEMORY OF THE 244 AMERICAN / AND 16 BRITISH FIGHTER PILOTS / AND OTHER PERSONNEL WHO / SERVED IN THE THREE ROYAL / AIR FORCE EAGLE SQUADRONS / PRIOR TO THE PARTICIPATION OF / THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR / THEY SERVED WITH VALOR / FOUNDED BY CHARLES F SWEENY, JUNE 1940 / ERECTED THROUGH THE GENEROSITY / OF THE / HEARST CORPORATION OF AMERICA / IN THE NAME OF / WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST / PUBLISHER.
Each of the three other sides is dedicated to one of the Eagle Squadrons – 133 Squadron, 121 Squadron, or 71 Squadron – with a depiction of each squadron’s crest and motto, and a list of those who served: 289 individuals, including 71 war dead.” Wikipedia
It is good to see this elegant, matter-of-fact tribute to such brave volunteers. Remember, at that time most Americans wanted to stay out of the war. I was rather moved and perhaps that’s why I didn’t notice the bronze eagle on top.
It is by Elisabeth Frink and I will not overlook it next time I walk through the square.
The stained glass windows in Boxgrove Priory, West Sussex, are a memorial for one of the American pilots who flew from Tangmere and died in the Battle of Britain. They are very fine and only one of the features that make Boxgrove worth a visit.