A statue for a Queen

In 1903, to reflect public sentiment, the Mayor of Portsmouth started a fund to place a statue of Queen Victoria within the town. He quickly raised £1,700, the statue was created by Alfred Drury ARA and was placed with pageantry in Town Hall Square. Rather unusual attendees at this event were sailors from an American Fleet which had arrived the previous day at Spithead. The statue remains today in Guildhall Square although in a slightly different location.