History

George Wade (1673-1748), Field Marshal, is best known for the military roads he built in Scotland, which gave rise to the verse "If you'd seen these roads before they were made, you would hold up your hands and bless Marshal Wade". He was a son of Jerome Wade of Kilavally, Ireland and grandson of William, who served with Oliver Cromwell. George rose quickly through the military ranks and became a Member of Parliament for Bath and a Privy Councillor.

He died unmarried but left four illegitimate children, George, John, Jane and Emilia, and he also provided for the children of his brother William (1672-1733), who was a Canon of Windsor. William, George and John all attended Westminster School. George junior attained the rank of Lt.Colonel in the army and John was also a soldier and died in 1796.

Monument

The General's grave is in the centre aisle of the nave of Westminster Abbey and shows his carved coat of arms - a saltire between four escallops, with a crest of a rhinocerus.

In 1750 a large monument was erected on the window ledge in the south aisle of the nave. The sculptor, Louis Francois Roubiliac, said it was his favourite work. It shows a medallion portrait head of George with a figure of Fame pushing away a figure of Time who carries a large scythe. The inscription is similar to that on the gravestone except that the stone gives his date of death as 1747 (ie. old style dating):

"To the memory of George Wade Field Marshal of his Majesty's forces, Lieutenant Genl. of the Ordnance, Colonel of his Majesty's third regiment of dragoon guards, Governor of Fort William, Fort Augustus and Fort George; and one of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council. He died 14 Mar: 1748, aged 75".

A photograph of the monument and of the gravestone can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library.

Further Reading:

The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography 2004.

George Wade by Denise Chantrey, 2009

Many of his papers and maps are in the National Library of Scotland.

© Dean and Chapter of Westminster