The Picton Memorial
Introduction
The photograph on this page of The Picton Memorial by Natasha Ceridwen de Chroustchoff as part of the Geograph project.
The Geograph project started in 2005 with the aim of publishing, organising and preserving representative images for every square kilometre of Great Britain, Ireland and the Isle of Man.
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The Picton Memorial
Image: © Natasha Ceridwen de Chroustchoff Taken: 10 Jan 2020
This massive column dominates the western approach to Carmarthen. It memorializes Sir Thomas Picton (1758 - 1815), a native of Pembrokeshire once resident in Carmarthenshire and also MP for Pembroke. Dubbed "Wellington's Welsh General" he died in the battle at Waterloo and is commemorated as a gallant soldier. However his earlier career has caught up with him in the 21st century as his sadistic exploits as governor of Trinidad have been subject to public scrutiny. His image has been removed from public display elsewhere in Wales, see here for instance https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-53526230 and it is a matter of debate whether this memorial, vast as it is, should continue to dominate the skyline here. For background material on Picton see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Picton For his birthplace and further information https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/323941 Memorial in family church see https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/409304 Family home https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1071789
Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0
Image Location
Latitude
51.854453
Longitude
-4.318506