David Lloyd George lived here from April 1900 to September 1904. The original GLC (not English Heritage) plaque was erected in 1967, but gave the wrong year of birth. It was replaced by an English Heritage blue plaque in 1992..[CHECK!]i
The English Heritage inscription reads "DAVID LLOYD GEORGE Earl Lloyd George of Dwyfor 1863-1945 PRIME MINISTER lived here"
David Lloyd George (1863–1945) — Liberal statesman, social reformer, and Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1916 to 1922 — lived at 179 Trinity Road, Upper Tooting, in the early years of his rise to national prominence. He and his family resided here from April 1900 to September 1904, a period that encompassed the final years of the Boer War and the early Edwardian era.
Lloyd George had also lived at another address in the borough, in Routh Road, making Wandsworth a significant chapter in the story of one of Britain's most remarkable political careers. Born in Manchester and raised in Wales, he entered Parliament as MP for Caernarfon Boroughs in 1890 and went on to serve as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Minister of Munitions, and ultimately Prime Minister — the first Welshman to hold that office.
Royal Mail commemorative stamp
David Lloyd George 1863–1945 — Prif Weinidog / Prime Minister
The 1922 Tablet Unveiling
179 Trinity Road, Upper Tooting
David Lloyd George lived here from April 1900 to September 1904. The blue plaque was unveiled by Dame Margaret Lloyd George in June 1922.
In June 1922, the Mayor of Wandsworth, Dr. Henry Jackson, organised the unveiling of a commemorative tablet at 179 Trinity Road. Dame Margaret [Mair] Lloyd George attended in place of her husband — then still serving as Prime Minister — and unveiled the polished granite tablet, which had been covered with a flag of Wales for the occasion. Upwards of 500 guests attended the subsequent reception at the Town Hall.
Mair Eiluned Lloyd George Window
Memorial window to Mair Eiluned Lloyd George in Clapham Junction chapel
There is a beautiful stained-glass window in the south wall of the chapel, which serves as a memorial to Mair Eiluned Lloyd George (born in 1890), who died aged 17 on November 29 1907. Mair was the eldest daughter of David and Margaret Lloyd George and by all accounts she was a pretty and thoughtful girl. She was also extremely musical and bright but it was her graciousness that was most noticeable.
In 1903 the family moved to live at 3 Routh Road, Wandsworth and it was there on November 25, 1907 that Mair had had an attack of appendicitis. Four days later she died of peritonitis. Her body was taken to Criccieth, where a marble memorial to her still exists. Mair’s tragic death was (according to his many biographers) the most devastating personal blow in her father’s life and for some time after her death, David Lloyd George was inconsolable. He refused to return to live in Routh Road and the family moved to Chayne Place, Chelsea.
Mair, her brother Gwilym and her youngest sister, Megan, worshipped at Clapham Junction where her mother was a member. Richard, the eldest child and Olwen were brought up as Baptists, like their father. It was therefore natural that the parents chose the chapel at Clapham as the site for a memorial window for Mair.
The window was designed by the stained-glass artist George Measures Parlby (1857-1944). He was born in London and known as “the grand old man of the London sketch club) and “Last of the Bohemians”. Parlby was employed on a freelance basis by Thomas Figgis Curtis (1854-1924) and the window was produced by his company T.F. Curtis, Ward & Hughes of Firth Street, Soho. There are a number of windows installed by Curtis and the company in Gloucester, Litchfield and Lincoln Cathedrals but unfortunately, many of the windows he installed in London were destroyed in the Blitz of 1939 to 1945.
The window is south facing and measures approximately 65“ wide by 44” tall. the centrepiece of the windows a full-length portrait of Mair seated at a pipe organ. At her side are two angels: one playing the harp, the other holding a Bible. Above Mair can be seen seven other smaller angels, some singing and others playing ancient instruments. There are panels with depictions Criccieth Castle, the arms of the Princes of Gwyneth, a harp and the Red Dragon. The Welsh words ‘Cariad’ (love), ‘addfwynder’ (meekness) and ‘moliant’ (praise) are on the other panels, as well as the biblical verse in Welsh, ‘Blessed are the pure in heart’. At the bottom of the window and inscription reads ‘Mair Eiluned Lloyd George died on November 29, 1907 aged 17 years. This is followed by an unsigned Welsh poem in Mair’s memory. It might well have been composed by her father, for David Lloyd George was an accomplished poet and hymn-writer.
The window, with Its striking colours and attractive and sensitive design is a fitting tribute to a daughter who was described by her brother and sister as being ‘saintly’ and ‘angelic’.
The window was dedicated in a service on February 27, 1909, conducted by four eminent ministers: Rev’d Dr John Williams, Brynsiencyn; Rev’d Elfed Lewis, King’s Cross; Rev’d Herbert Morgan, Castle Street and the minister of Clapham, Rev’d D. Tyler Davies.
The memorial has survived the Blitz (it was apparently removed and stored during hostilities) and the riots of 2011. It was cleaned, strengthened and made waterproof in 2014 by the restorers Benyon Stained-Glass Studio, and a new wire guard fitted to the outside. It has proved a continuing fitting backdrop to our services of worship for over a century after its installation.
Dr Hywel Thomas
https://capelclapham.com/mair-lloyd-george-window/
