A FAMILIAR landmark in Southampton is the socalled Gas Column erected as a tribute to William Chamberlayne, who gave the town its first street lights.

The fluted cast iron monument today stands proudly in Houndwell Park but this is actually the fourth site in its 171-year history.

It was first erected in 1822 at the junction of New Road and Above Bar Street before being moved in 1829 to the Town Quay, where — appropriately — it carried a light as a navigation mark for shipping.

It arrived at Houndwell in 1865 before occupying an enduring residency at the middle of the roundabout by Debenham's department store where Palmerston Road and Queensway meet.

The monument remained there from 1957 until the year 2000 when the column was moved yet again to Houndwell Park as part of a major parks restoration scheme.

The origins of the monument stem from 1820 when gas was introduced to the town.

For years Southampton's streets had been illuminated by oil lamps, but with the introduction of gas came a system that promised to revolutionise the lighting of the town.

With a curious desire to embrace the proposed benefits of the new system, Southampton inhabitants were willing to take the risk, which included coming to terms with the alarming sight of the new 84ft gas holder being built at Northam.

A year later the main streets had gas lamps that gave off a brighter light at night than had ever been seen before.

The iron pillars that supported the lights were the gift of local MP William Chamberlayne of West Grove, and so grateful were residents that it was decided that a memorial pillar should be erected as a sign of Southampton's appreciation.

Tickell's Foundry – which gave its name to Foundry Lane – made the memorial, which has always been known as the Gas Column although of course a light has never shone from its top.

An inscription on the Gas Column dedicated to Chamberlayne acknowledges “his munificent gift of the iron columns supporting the public lights of the town”.

However, the monument fails to mention that Chamberlayne was also chairman of the company that supplied the gas for the lights!