Belgravia in City of Westminster in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Field Marshal Viscount Gort

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 27, 2026

1. Field Marshal Viscount Gort Marker

Inscription.
Field Marshal Viscount Gort VC
1886-1946
Commander-in-Chief at Dunkirk
lived here 1920-1926

Erected 2005 by English Heritage.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Victoria Cross and George Cross Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 25, 1940.

Location. 51° 29.927′ N, 0° 9.127′ W. Marker is in City of Westminster, England, in Greater London. It is in Belgravia. It is on Belgrave Square west of Upper Belgrave Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 34 Belgrave Square, City of Westminster, England SW1X 8QB, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Greater South East.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Simon Bolivar

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Alfred, Lord Tennyson (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Felix Mendelssohn (about 120 meters away); General Don Jose de San Martin (about 150 meters away); Walter Bagehot (about 180 meters away); Henry Gray (about 210 meters away); Sir Robert Grosvenor (about 210 meters away); Belgian Volunteers (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in City of Westminster.

Also see . . . Vereker, John, Viscount Gort, V.C. (1886-1946) (English Heritage). Excerpt on his command at Dunkirk:

Gort was delighted to leave his desk at the War Office to be Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) to France. ‘Here we go again, marching to war’, he remarked on taking up the appointment in September 1939.

Caught out by a rapid German advance that threatened to encircle the British force, Gort withdrew towards the coast on 25 May 1940, disregarding orders to join French forces in a counter attack. This decision made the subsequent evacuation of some 340,000 British and French troops from Dunkirk possible.

In the circumstances, the wisdom of
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 27, 2026

2. Field Marshal Viscount Gort Marker - wide view
ordering a retreat is not widely held in doubt: the BEF would otherwise have been annihilated. But the overall failure of the mission led to a widespread belief that Gort was over-promoted. He was not helped, however, by the size of his force, the failings of his French and Belgian allies, poor communications and an uncertain chain of command.

(Submitted on March 27, 2026.)

Additional keywords. blue plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 27, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.