ðə mˈɑːnjuːmənts dɪzˈaɪn wʌz ɪnspˈaɪɚd baɪ ɐn ɪdʒˈɪpʃən ˈɑːbəlɪsk, bˌʌt ɪnðə ʃˈeɪp ʌvðə tˈaɪp ʌv bˈeɪənˌɛt jˈuːzd baɪ wˈɛlɪŋtənz ˈɑːɹmiz, ɐ spˈaɪk ʌv tɹaɪˈæŋɡjʊlɚ kɹˈɔssˈɛkʃən ɹˈæðɚ ðˌænə blˈeɪd, wɪð fˈʌndz ɹˈeɪzd fɹʌm lˈoʊkəl səbskɹˈaɪbɚz tə kəmˈɛmɚɹˌeɪt hɪz ɐtʃˈiːvmənts.
The monument's design was inspired by an Egyptian obelisk, but in the shape of the type of bayonet used by Wellington's armies, a spike of triangular cross-section rather than a blade, with funds raised from local subscribers to commemorate his achievements.