Ever stop to wonder how a gate could tell such a compelling story? It’s the Sir George Rowland Hill memorial gate. This isn’t just any gate. It’s a tribute to a visionary. It commemorates Sir George Rowland Hill. He was a pivotal figure in rugby’s history.
Let’s journey back to 1929. The Rowland Hill Memorial Gates were unveiled. This marked respect for Sir George Rowland Hill. He was rugby’s most famous administrator at the time.
Sir George Rowland Hill became secretary of the Rugby Football Union in 1881. He navigated a turbulent period. In 1895, 22 clubs broke away. They established a rival professional code. This event is known as ‘the Great Schism’. The ‘Northern Union’ later became ‘Rugby League’.
Hill’s dedication to amateurism shaped Rugby Union. It remained an amateur sport for a century. In 1927, he received a knighthood. This recognized his service to rugby union.
Throughout the 1920s, war memorials were common. Rowland Hill’s memorial followed this spirit. Hundreds attended the unveiling. Wreaths were laid before a special match. It was ‘England and Wales’ versus ‘Scotland and Ireland’.
Originally, the gates stood in the south-west corner. They were over a track to Whitton Road. This route was a farmer’s access point. This was before the stadium existed.
In 1970, the Greater London Council donated a Coade stone lion. It had stood outside the Lion Brewery in Westminster since 1837. The lion was placed atop the gate’s central column. It’s been there ever since. Many now call it the ‘Lion Gate’. In 1991, the lion received a golden coat.
In 1995, the gates were moved. They were rebuilt outside the West Stand. Later, four bronze art installations were added. These sculptures by Gerald Laing represent THE KICKER, THE WINGER, THE SCRUM-HALF and THE FORWARD.
The two oak gates will be replaced. These gates were for ‘royal and distinguished visitors’ in 1929. Artist Harry Gray’s ‘the Poppy and Rose Gates’ will reconnect Rowland Hill’s Memorial with the interwar period. From 2016 onwards, the gates serve as a memorial to fallen rugby players.
So, as you stand before the Sir George Rowland Hill memorial gate, remember its layers of history. It is a monument to rugby, amateurism, and remembrance. It’s a powerful symbol. It connects the past with the present. It ensures that the sacrifices of rugby players are never forgotten.