Column of the Duke of York in Waterloo place – almost a copy of Nelson's column that stands in Trafalgar square just a hundred meters to the East. It is dedicated to Prince Frederick, Duke of York, which, though not as famous as Admiral Nelson, but services to Britain is significant.

The Duke of York was the Supreme commander of the Royal army during the so-called French wars of 1792-1802. Not earning the special glory on the battlefield, he noticed the weaknesses of the British army of that time and began its reform. The Duke was one of the founders of the Royal military Academy Sandhurst, where he began training army officers. He was responsible for preparing Britain for a possible invasion by Napoleon in 1803. Thanks to the reforms of the Duke of York, the English army had become a force which Spain was able to cause the defeat of Napoleon.

Career Duke developed not always smooth. In 1808 he resigned in the Wake of the financial machinations of his mistress Mary Anne Clarke. Soon Frederick was rehabilitated and became immersed in administrative work, as well as the card game is going to another world, the Duke left behind a debt of two million pounds sterling.

Evil tongues joked: statue of the Duke at the top of the column is so high that Frederick was safe from creditors. The monument by the architect Benjamin Dean Wyatt is really huge: 42 meters in height. Installed it on a massive granite pedestal. Inside there is a spiral staircase of 168 steps leading to the observation deck. Above it, established a four-meter statue of the Duke of the work of Richard Westmacott.The site itself is still in the XIX century was closed to visitors due to happen here suicide, you can't go up there.

Colonna turned "face" to the Whitehall and the war Department, which had so long directed the Duke. Here honor the memory of the man who gave the order to the British army. It is considered that the erection of the column paid for itself the army, sacrificing his daily salary, but, according to other sources, the military simply did not pay the money.

Right column, under a large tree, you can see the unique for London monument: a tiny tombstone Terrier Giro, beloved dog of the first of Hitler's Ambassador to Britain Leopold von Hash. The Ambassador, who was not a supporter of Hitler, died in London in 1936 of a heart attack. Held a Grand farewell to the diplomat. Before the coffin, covered by a flag with a swastika, was a British orchestra Leib-grenadiers in bear hats. Artillery thundered a salute. From the balcony of the German Embassy motorcade accompanied the Nazi salute. The destroyer that carried the body of the Ambassador, accompanied by Scottish pipers.

Jiro died two years earlier than the background Hash: Terrier died, chewed the power cord. They buried him near the German Embassy. This building is now the Royal society, but the grave of Giro, the British, incorrigible lover, not touched. So she stayed among the monuments to the heroes of the British Empire.