Maiwand Memorial

The Maiwand Memorial, constructed in 1886, is a significant war memorial located in Forbury Gardens. It features a three times life-size cast iron statue of an enraged lion, which weighs 16 tons and was sculpted by George Simmonds, the son of the founder of Simmonds Brewery. The statue is mounted on a rectangular plinth with pilasters that records the names of the fallen. A tablet on the south-west side of the memorial is inscribed with a dedication that honors the bravery and commitment of eleven officers and three hundred and eighteen non-commissioned officers and men of the 66th Berkshire Regiment, who lost their lives during the Afghan campaign of 1879-80, specifically at Girisk, Maiwand, and Kandahar. The inscription includes a quote from General Primrose's dispatch, stating that the actions of the 66th Regiment at the battle of Maiwand on July 27, 1880, exemplified remarkable gallantry and devotion to Queen and Country. The memorial was erected through public subscription.