Memorial to Lord Mountbatten of Burma
From the Prime Miinister and others
Sir, We believe there are many people in this country and overseas, and from all walks of life, who would wish to see a memorial erected to commemorate the life and work of Admiral of the Fleet the Earl Mountbatten of Burma, KG, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, DSO, who, after lifetime of service to the British Commonwealth of Nations, was so tragically killed in 1979.
We propose that the memorial should be a statue in Naval uniform, situated on the green verge to the south of the Horse Guards Parade and looking over the Parade towards the Old Admiralty Building.
Admiral Mountbatten’s achievements as a sailor, a military commander and statesman are now a part of the history of the twentieth century and made even more remarkable by his own determination to dedicate himself to a career in the Royal Navy at a time when title and privilege could so easily have led to a more comfortable life. His exploits as the Captain of HMS Kelly, his leadership as the Commander of Combined Operations, and his victories as Supreme Allied Commander in South-east Asia, all bore the imprint of the professional fighting man. As the last Viceroy of India his tasks were perhaps even more formidable, yet few statesmen could have accomplished us much.
At a time when he might have rested on these laurels, it was at his own wish that he returned to sea in the Royal Navy as a rear-admiral, which led to his appointment as First Sea Lord and, finally, as Chief of the Defence Staff.
We feel sure that there are many who will wish to contribute-to the cost of .a memorial and we ask, that donations, which will be acknowledged, should be sent to: Rear-Admiral L. W. Townsend, Defence Services Secretary, Mountbatten Memorial Fund, Old Admiralty Building, London, SW1.
Any moneys which may be received in excess of the cost of the memorial will be passed to the Mountbatten Trust for assisting the handicapped and the United World Colleges.
Yours, etc.
Margaret Thatcher, Michael Foot, David Steel, Harding of Petherton, Trevelyan, S. Zuckerman, Dermot Boyle, Caspar John
10 Downing Street, SW1, July 5