Memorial details

Memorial type
Fountain
District
Wrexham
Town
Froncysyllte
County
Clwyd
Country
Wales
Commemoration
Second World War (1939-1945), First World War (1914-1918), Boer War; Second (1899-1902)
Ceremony
  • Unveiled
    Date: 29 October 1910
    Attended by: Lieutenant General Sir Francis Lloyd GCVO KCB DSO
Lost
Not lost
WM Reference
2778

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Current location

South side of road next to Richard's premises
100 yds west of parish church
Main Street/Holyhead Road (A5)
Froncysyllte
Wrexham
Clwyd
LL20 7RA
Wales

OS Grid Ref: SJ 27362 41142
Denomination: Undefined

View location on Google Maps
Previous locations
  • South side of A5
    South Side of the A5
    Froncysyllte
    Glyndwr
    Clwyd
    LL20 7RB
    Wales

    OS Grid Ref: SJ 27241 41191
    Denomination: Undefined
  • Glyndwr
    Clwyd
    Wales

    OS Grid Ref: Undefined
    Denomination: Undefined
  • Show More (1)
Description
Ornate italiante drinking fountain built into freestanding alcove of local stone with Boer War dedication central, flanked on either side by World War 1 & 2 tablets from the closed Primitive Methodist Chapel in the village (WMR 2780). Fountain constructed of semi-glazed terra-cotta tiles in shades of light and dark green. Decorated pediment above panelled frieze, the date is written with the '1' going through the '9'. Around recessed inscription tablet reads motto in welsh which translates to 'Honour the Brave'. Inscription in relief in green against pale background. Semi elliptical drinking basin with lions head water spout and two fixtures for drinking cups, these are missing. They were made of aluminium. Either side of the basin regimental crests in relief, Grenadier Guards crest of scroll with regimental name, Royal Welch Fusiliers crest over crossed leeks tied with ribbon. Erected in 1909 by public subscription to commemorate deaths of Private William Williams of Royal Welch Fusiliers and Private John James of Grenadier Guards in 1900 during South African War. Subsequently flanked by tablets commemorating dead of First and Second World Wars. Free-standing memorial in pale green and white moulded and glazed faience blocks with dark green cast-iron drinking bowl above segmental arch and recessed and inset tablet with inscription and floral leaf decoration below semi-circular arch with acanthus key-stone. Cast emblems of Royal Welch Fusiliers to left and Grenadier Guards to right. Rubble stone rear support wall and flanking walls with marble First and Second World War tablets added later. This Fountain, in the Italian style, and carried out in semip-glazed terra-cotta of a pale-green shade, relieved in parts in white, is erected as a memorial to two soldiers: Private William Williams, 3rd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers and Private John Charles James, 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards who lost their lives whilst on active service in the South African War. Immediately above the projecting ellipitical basin is a recessed panel or slab, upon which the bronze head with tap, and the drinking cups (which are aluminium) are fixed, and bearing an inscription in raised letters setting forth the names, their Regiments, and the place and manner of their deaths, &.c. On each side of this panel are devices modelled in relief, and representing the badges of the two Regiments. On the face of the semicircular arch over this panel is the motto in Welsh "Parcher y Dewr" (Honour the Brave), and on the panelled frieze over the arch are the words "Erected by Public Subscription" with the date of erection. The whole is surmounted by a bold projecting pediment. Listed as an unusually designed pre-First World War Memorial, using probably locally manufactured materials. Grade II listed on 11/06/1998.
Inscription
ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION/ 1909 / PARCHER Y DEWR/ IN/ MEMORY OF/ (NAMES) IN/ MEMORY OF/ PRIVATE WILLIAM WILLIAMS/ 3RD BATTALION ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS/ KILLED IN ACTION/ AT THE BATTLE OF FREDERIKSTAD OCTOBER 25TH 1900/ AND OF/ PRIVATE JOHN CHARLES JAMES/ 2ND BATTALION GRENADIER GUARDS/ DIED OF ENTERIC/ AT THABA NCHU NEAR BLOEMFONTEIN MAY 10TH 1900.
Inscription legible?
yes
Names on memorial
Davies, Edward
Hughes, Thomas Ellis
James, John Charles
Jones, David Hugh
Jones, Jack
Jones, John Bryan
Jones, Lloyd
Morris, Benjamin
Roberts, Harry
Roberts, Wynne
See details for all 11 names
Commemorations
  • Second World War (1939-1945)
    Total names on memorial: 0
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 0
    Exact count: no
    Information shown: Undefined
    Order of information: Undefined
  • First World War (1914-1918)
    Total names on memorial: Undefined
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 0
    Exact count: no
    Information shown: Undefined
    Order of information: Undefined
  • Boer War; Second (1899-1902)
    Total names on memorial: 2
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 2
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: rank, forename, regiment, manner of death, place and date of death
    Order of information: Undefined
Components
  • Detail
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Bronze
  • Fountain
    Measurements: height 2500MM, width 1260MM
    Materials: Terracotta
Condition
History
Described as poor - memorial is right on side of A5 trunk road, with only the width of double yellow lines to protect it. (feb 1996). Memorial moved in October/ November 1995 to present site by Glyndwr County Council. Originally set into stone wall that supports the B5434. Campaign to move memorial begun in June 1994 by chairman Llangollen Rural District Council, a Fron resident. There was much local opposition, despite the majority of villagers signed the petition in favour. Memorial restored to former glory in Summer 1996. Erected in 1910, the memorial, complete with a drinking fountain, had stood beside the main A5 trunk road into north Wales for 85 years and had fared badly at the hands of passing traffic and the rigours of the time. It has now been restored and re-situated in quieter surroundings, together with local memorials for both world wars which were rescued when the village chapel almost opposite the site was closed. The repairs and relocation owe a great deal to the local council, residents and the Anglo-Boer War Memorials Project, supported by donations from various local businesses. restored 1996.listed 1998
Trust fund/Scholarship
No
Purpose: Unknown or N/A
Sponsorship
Public
Details: Erected in 1909 by public subscription.
Reference

This record comprises all information held by IWM’s War Memorials Register for this memorial. Where we hold a names list for the memorial, this information will be displayed on the memorial record. Please check back as we are adding more names to the database.

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© WMR-2778

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