The Picton Monument

The Picton Monument stands on a small hill called Monument Hill in Carmarthen, Wales. It is a tall limestone obelisk built to honour Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Picton, the highest-ranking British officer killed at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. The current structure replaced an earlier one designed by John Nash in 1828, which had deteriorated badly. The first monument was about 23 metres high and featured a statue of Picton on top. It included detailed reliefs by Edward Hodges Baily showing scenes from his military career. The original pillar was taken down in 1846 after becoming unsafe. The monument is worth visiting for its historical significance and the debates it has inspired. Picton’s military achievements are well known, but his involvement in the Caribbean, including the mistreatment of enslaved people, has led to controversy. In 2020, a petition with nearly 20,000 signatures called for its removal, while others argued to keep it with added context. A cross-party council group recommended placing information boards nearby to explain both his military record and his links to slavery. The monument was rebuilt in 1847 and later reinforced in 1988 after structural concerns. Visitors find a sturdy stone obelisk with inscriptions on all four sides. The front and back list Picton’s birth and death dates, while the sides name his key battles: Busaco, Badajos, Vittoria, Orthes, Toulouse, and Waterloo. The surrounding area is quiet, with views over Carmarthen. The monument itself is Grade II listed and stands on a small, grassy hill. Nearby, the original reliefs from the first monument are displayed in Carmarthenshire County Museum. The site offers a place to reflect on history and the complexities of how it is remembered.