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    © Imperial War Museums 2026

    Memorial

    Froncysyllte Boer War

    Overview of the memorial

    Source: Copyright John Hale

    1/14

    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 Reference

    SJ 27362 41142

    View location on Google Maps

    Names

    Names listed on this memorial

    • William Williams

    • John Charles James

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    © WMR-2778

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    Type of Memorial
    Fountain
    WMR Reference Number
    2778
    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.
    War
    Boer War; Second (1899-1902)
    Number Commemorated
    2
    Died
    2
    Information shown
    rank, forename, regiment, manner of death, place and date of death
    Maker(s)
    • MR JOSEPH HALL, Designer

    • MESSRS J C EDWARDS, Builder

    Sponsor Type
    public
    Sponsored By
    Erected in 1909 by public subscription.
    Maintenance 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

    Ceremonies

    Unveiled

    29 October 1910

    Lieutenant General Sir Francis Lloyd GCVO KCB DSO

    Previous Location(s)

    • South side of A5, South Side of the A5, Froncysyllte, Glyndwr, Clwyd, LL20 7RB, Wales

      OS Grid Reference

      SJ 27241 41191

      Year of move

      October/ November 1995

      Reason for move

      The memorial was mounted on a wall immediately beside the busy A5 trunk road, and was liable to be damaged by passing traffic. Re-located to a less exposed position to the East.

    • Glyndwr, Clwyd, Wales

      Year of move

      1995

      Reason for move

      VULNERABLE ROADSIDE POSITION ON B5434

    Components

    Detail

    Made from: Bronze


    Condition: Good


    Cadw

    Grade: II

    List Entry: 19961

    Fountain

    Height: 2500MM

    Width: 1260MM


    Made from: Terracotta


    Condition: Good


    Cadw

    Grade: II

    List Entry: 19961

    • For history and more details on the casualties- http://www.clwydfhs.org.uk/cofadeiladau/froncysyllte_wm.htm
    • https://vads.ac.uk/large.php?uid=67919&sos=0
    • 'From Curious Clwyd 2' by Gordon Emery
    • For Remembrance and in Honour of Those Who Lost Their Lives in the South African War 1899-1902 by Gildea, James 60 Published:Eyre and Spottiswoode 1911 London