Lichfield in Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Commander Edward John Smith RD RNR (1850-1912)

Captain of the White Star liner "Titanic"

Commander Edward John Smith Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, May 11, 2026

1. Commander Edward John Smith Marker

Inscription. Captain Smith was the officer in command of RMS Titanic. He died on 15 April 1912 alongside more than 1,500 people when his ship sank after striking an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York.

The 7'8" (2.34 m) statue is made of bronze and set on a plinth of Cornish granite. It was sculpted by Lady Kathleen Scott - the widow of Scott of the Antarctic.

Although Captain Smith was born in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Lichfield was considered a more accessible place for the statue. The location may also have been chosen because Lichfield was the cathedral city of the diocese that covered Hanley.

The statue was unveiled at Beacon Park on 29 July 1914 by Captain Smith's daughter, Helen Melville Smith, in front of many distinguished guests, including Lady Scott.

The 'Be British' inscription on the statue was reportedly one of the last phrases Captain Smith was heard to speak.

Erected 2011 by Lichfield District Council.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.

Location. 52° 41.007′ N, 1° 49.979′ W.

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Marker is in Lichfield, England, in Staffordshire. It can be reached from the intersection of Swan Road and Beacon Park, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22 Swan Road, Lichfield, England WS13 6TU, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands.

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 5 other markers are within 11 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Promenades and Pleasure Gardens (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Edward Wightman Memorial (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Theatres and Thespians (approx. half a kilometer away); St Editha's Church (approx. 10.8 kilometers away); Aethelflaed (approx. 11.1 kilometers away).

Commander Edward John Smith Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, May 11, 2026

2. Commander Edward John Smith Statue

Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 26, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.