The landmark monument opposite the Upper or Victoria Gate was rededicated on 30 March 2009, after restoration supported by a number of generous donors and match-funding from English Heritage. It commemorates Alexis Benoît Soyer (1809-1858), chef, restauranteur, food writer and campaigner; his wife, the painter Emma Jones Soyer (1813-1842), 'the English Murillo'; and her step-father, François Simonau (1783-1859), the ‘Flemish Murillo’. The Grade II* Listed monument, sculpted by M. Puyenbroach, is surmounted by a figure of Hope. It was once gaslit, with Emma's palette and brushes displayed in a niche at the back. Moving addresses where given by FOKGC President, Dr. Jenny Freeman; the renowned chef Raymond Blanc OBE; Peter Urbach, archivist of the Reform Club; and Col. Peter McCall of the Defence Food Services School, Royal Logistics Corps.

Frederick Davies GC (1913-1945)

Fireman Davies’ grave was restored with the permission of his daughter, Doreen, and rededicated on Saturday, 23 August 2008. The service was co-hosted by the Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery and the Civil Defence Association, with the support of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association, the Worshipful Company of Firefighters and the London Fire Brigade Museum.

Fireman Frederick Davies was posthumously awarded the George Cross -- the highest civilian award for bravery in the Commonwealth -- for attempting to rescue two schoolgirls, Avril and Jean Pike, from a fire in Craven Park Road, Harlesden, north west London, on 22 August 1945. He died of burns in hospital the next day; both girls also died. Click here to download the PDF of an article on Fireman Davies from the FOKGC Magazine. The London Fire Brigade Museum, on Southwark Bridge Road, now holds Davies’ George Cross; visits are by appointment only (0208 555 1200 ext. 39894, e-mail museum@london-fire.gov.uk). Fireman Davies is also commemorated on the UK National Firefighters Memorial near St Paul's Cathedral.

Catherine Hayes (1818-1861)

In the first weeks of 2007, the grave and monument of soprano Catherine Hayes, 'The Irish Diva', were restored with the generous support of Limerick Civic Trust, and the FOKGC. Click here to download the PDF of an article by Angus Lawrence of Nimbus Conservation, describing the project. Click here for the PDF of an article by Denis Leonard of Limerick Civic Trust. Click here for an article about Catherine Hayes by her biographer, Basil Walsh

William Mulready RA (1786-1863)

In the summer of 2007, the splendid monument of the painter William Mulready was conserved thanks to support from the Royal Academy, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the FOKGC. It was designed by Godfrey Sykes of the South Kensington Museum (now the V&A), made by James Pulham & Son, and won an award at the Paris Exposition International in 1867. A key to the frieze, by Head Guide Henry Vivian-Neal, identifies the works on which the reliefs are based.