Erection date: /1/1904
This monument was designed as a memorial of James Radcliffe Earl of Derwentwater, one of the leaders of the rebellion of 1715 who was taken prisoner at the Battle of Preston, tried in Westminster Hall and beheaded on Tower Hill February 24, 1716. It was erected by Lady Derwentwater in the grounds of the mansion in Horn Lane Acton, formerly General Skippon's, and afterwards known as Derwentwater House, at which house she was at the time residing. Messrs. F. A. and C. J. Kerven, the owners of Derwentwater House, having given the monument to the Council, it was moved and erected by them on this site in January 1904.
A. W. King, JP, Chairman of the Council
Acton Urban District Council
We've corrected the rather erratic punctuation in the inscription.
From : "Whilst the wording on the label sounds a great story, the connection of James Radcliffe with Acton is probably only a legend, and the Monument is nothing more than a decorative garden ornament from Derwentwater House."
If it was intended as a memorial it would surely have been on public view, probably at the front of the house. On the 1894 map we found that shows the house there is no indication of a monument there, but in the large rear garden there is a mark, which we think indicates this large garden ornament. See our page for the House.
Charles Kerven was a builder/developer but his brother, Frederick, was a successful butcher. Their being named as joint owners of Derwentwater House suggests that Frederick was some sort of financial partner in Charles's business.
Site: Radcliffe obelisk (1 memorial)
W3, East Churchfield Road, Acton Park
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