TOPIC:

FRONCYSYLLTE BOER WAR MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN,
JUST EAST OF ST. DAVID'S CHURCH,
A5 ROAD,
FRONCYSYLLTE,
WALES.

OS GRID REFERENCE: SJ273412

A most ornate Edwardian monumental fountain constructed in 1909 by public subscription.
In very good condition with no vandalism at present, which gives hope for it's future as a cherished memorial in the local community.
However, I think it has been some time since the fountain actually worked to provide water to the thirsty traveller!

The inscription in Welsh above the arch "PARCHER Y DEWR" basically means PARCHER OF THE BRAVE in English.
The inscription within the arch as follows:
"IN MEMORY OF PTE. WILLIAM WILLIAMS 3RD BATTALION ROYAL WELSH 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 THANA NCHU, BLOEMFONTEIN MAY 10TH 1900"

2906 Private William Williams attested to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 12th August 1895 at the age of 27 and resided at Cefn Mawr, Ruabon, Denbighshire, Wales.

His Queens South Africa medal bore the clasps Cape Colony, Transvaal and Wittebergen.

He is interred in the Olien Park Cemetery, Potchefstroom and commemorated on monument 2. It would appear that his remains either avoided burial on the veldt or were reinterred at Potchefstroom at a later date.

He is also commemorated on the Welsh National Boer War Memorial at Cathays Park, Cardiff and the memorial tablet on the inside of the North Tower of St. Giles' Church, Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales.

The inscription on the fountain states that 6833 Private John Charles James died of enteric. However, Watt (2000) claims that dysentry was the cause of death.
He is interred at Thaba Nchu and commemorated on monument 20.

He was entitled to the QSA with clasps Cape Colony and Orange Free State.

All credit must go to the local community and administration for the continuing upkeep and maintenance of this monument to the fallen. To see the water bowl full of poppies in remembrance was very encouraging.