The pillar and figure on top of the memorial were made by different architects, and were built on what was the site of the Temple Bar. The pillar was designed by Horace Jones, and was completed in 1880. The Griffin or Dragon rampant was completed slightly later was designed by C.B Birch. However, this ‘dragon’ was widely criticised at the time as being in bad taste. This was because it was a meant as a tribute to the two dragons that support the City Arms, but by putting only one of them on the pillar it was seen as a mistake and insulting to the Arms.
