Statues and Monuments: Lord Cheylesmore

 

Herbert Francis Eaton was born in 1848 and educated at Eton. whilst at school he was a member of the shooting and rowing teams. In 1864 he joined the Grenadier Guards and rowed for a guards crew at the Henley Regatta in 1877. In 1887, following his father’s elevation to the House of Lords, Herbert stood for parliament in his father’s old constituency but was defeated by 16 votes. In 1902, on the death of his elder brother, he became 3rd Baron Cheylesmore with a seat in the House of Lords. In 905-6 he became Mayor of Westminster and in 1912 he became chairman of the London County Council. He also served as chairman of the National Rifle Association. In 1914 he was appointed Commandant of the Army Shooting School at Bisley, a post he held throughout WWI. He died in a motor accident in 1925.

When the Olympics came to London in 1948, one of the new shooting ranges at the shooting venue at Bisley was named the ‘Cheylesmore range’ in recognition of his contribution to the sport.

The Memorial which can be found in Victoria Gardens is by Edwin Lutyens and was unveiled in 1930.