Statue of Sir Corbet Woodhall

The statue of Sir Corbet Woodhall is a bronze sculpture on a neo-Classical Portland stone plinth, dating from the early 20th century. The figure depicts Sir Corbet Woodhall in a standing pose, wearing academic gowns. The stone plinth features a deeply coved and moulded base, corner engaged vase pilasters, a pronounced coved cornice, and a moulded stone base supporting the statue. Inscriptions on the front frame read 'SIR CORBET WOODHALL / NICE DSc. / HON COL THE RANGERS / GOVERNOR / THE GAS LIGHT & COKE / COMPANY / 1906-1916’. The sculptor, Walker, is inscribed on the plinth below the statue’s right foot.

Sir Corbet Woodhall (1841-1916) was a prominent gas engineer and governor of the Gas, Light and Coke Company from 1906 to 1916. He received an honorary degree from the University of Leeds in 1912 and was knighted in 1913 for his contributions to the gas industry. He championed innovative practices and employee training within the company, and was involved in labour relations and the formation of a Territorial Army battalion.

The statue was erected before 1926 and originally stood near gasholders at Beckton gasworks. Following the gasworks’ closure in 1969, it was relocated to a memorial garden in Twelvetrees Crescent, near the site of the former London Gas Museum. The statue holds particular group value with the Grade II listed gasholders at Bromley-by-Bow.

The sculpture is significant as a well-crafted early 20th-century bronze statue commemorating a leading figure in a vital London industry, and for its connection to the Bromley-by-Bow gasworks.