Case Study
Client: Royal Tank Regiment
Architect: Christopher Rainsford for HOK International
Structural Engineer: Alan Baxter & Associates
Principal Contractor: Stonewest
Services Provided: Special Works
Project Overview
Royal Tank Regiment Memorial was erected on the corner of Whitehall Court and Whitehall Place, and was unveiled by Her Majesty the Queen, on 13 June 2000. The sculpture was originally designed by GH Paulin and was reworked in bronze by the acclaimed artist Vivien Mallock.
It commemorates all ranks of the Machine Gun Corps, Tank Corps and Royal Tank Regiment since tanks were first used in battle in 1916. The site created from the existing roadway was selected so the sculpture would face the buildings where the first ever tank was designed. The two trees were specially shipped from Canada to signify the country’s relationship with the regiment.
Key Successes
- A specially designed circular concrete foundation was created to accommodate the weight of the plinth.
- Plinth, procured from Woodkirk York stone, comprised a circular stone disc to be the ultimate step up to the bronze statue.
- 11½ tonne block was sourced and quarried from which to cut the disc.
- The stone disc was made into 4 segments, each weighing just over 1 tonne, complete with 4 circular recesses prepared to accommodate the regimental badges.
- Both the concrete and joints were sealed using specialist materials.
