Build 2 — 20 July 2026
The Streatham News — Borough of Wandsworth Chronicle
Friday, June 30, 1922
A glowing eulogy of the work and life of David Lloyd George, Premier of Britain, was made by the Mayor of Wandsworth Dr. Henry Jackson, on Tuesday, when Dame Margaret Lloyd George unveiled a commemoration tablet at 179, Trinity-road, Upper Tooting, a former residence of the Premier.
As befitted the occasion the Mayor and Mayoress were surrounded by the aldermen and councillors of the borough, while outside in the roadway crowds of interested sightseers gathered.
The tablet, which has been erected over the front door of the residence, was covered with a flag of Wales till Dame Margaret (who was accompanied by Miss Megan and the Rev. T. Charles Williams, of Menai Bridge), at the request of the Mayor revealed its presence by releasing the cord. The inscription on the tablet, which is of polished granite with raised lead lettering — read:—
It was Dr. Jackson's idea to record the fact that the Premier had resided in Wandsworth, and being a friend of the family, he put forward his suggestion. This was kindly received and Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd George requested that it should be placed in their former house in Trinity-road, in preference to another address at which they also lived in Routh-road.
The cost of the tablet and reception had been defrayed by private friends, Alderman Buchanan having borne the cost of the tablet and had it prepared at his works.
Tuesday's ceremony at Trinity-road was comparatively brief. Immediately Dame Margaret and Miss Megan arrived they passed into the house and were the recipients of handsome bouquets.
The company then congregated in the hall and on the doorstep, and the Mayor addressed the gathering in the following terms:—
"Aldermen and Councillors of the Metropolitan Borough of Wandsworth. It is my privilege, as Mayor, to ask you, my colleagues, to share the honour of giving a very warm welcome to Dame Margaret Lloyd George and Miss Megan Lloyd George. When the life story of the Prime Minister comes to be told, with all its thrills, fascinations, and romance, then we shall know the debt that England, the Empire, Europe and, indeed, civilisation, owes to the gracious lady who in sunshine and shadow has been ever at his side to watch over him.
"From 1900 to 1909 the Prime Minister with his wife and family lived in our borough, and we are met this afternoon to mark our pride in this association by unveiling a tablet on his former home.
"I am not using the language of exaggeration when I say that to-day in the eyes of the world he eclipses all living men of our common race and stock. There has been nothing like his life story in the history of mankind. Born in the humblest of homes, he has risen to the highest position in the State, with the exception of His Sovereign whom he has served so well. (Hear, hear). Think what this means in this old country of ours which by tradition of centuries has been ruled by a governing caste and class, and then think also that he controlled the State through five of the most perilous years in its history. The great international figures who were his colleagues in the war have all gone and left him to-day alone, the unchallenged leader of Europe. (Hear, hear).
"Pitt, a century ago, said 'England has saved Europe by her example and herself by her exertions.' That is more than ever true to-day, and this we owe to David Lloyd George, who ever went breast forward and never doubted clouds would break. Through doubt and fear, his heart never failed. He was the tonic of our nation and allies during the dark days. Ludendorff has said that Lloyd George's speeches were like sledge hammer blows to the morale of the German people. It was useless and hopeless to fight against a nation that was constantly being told by their leader that they could not be beaten. When the Allies seemed to lose courage he bade them be of stout heart.
"Can anyone who heard those speeches ever forget? The greatness of head and heart with all the fanaticisms of the prophet and the personal magnetism of the orator, produced the real nobility of eloquence. Yesterday it was the battle of nations, to-day he faces the aftermath of war, loss of markets, paralysis of industry, crushing taxation and heavy toil of unemployment. (Hear, hear).
"So we are grateful that in these perilous days when the powder magazines are as real and likely to explode as in the days of war, we have still at the helm of the ship of State a pilot with strong heart and clear head.
"A little while ago Earl Balfour (then Mr. Balfour) described his chief as the strongest force in the world, and the greatest statesman of our age and country.
"He stands to-day as the trustee of all we mean by 'England,' to give all men within its bounds an English mind; to give all who come within its way the standpoint of an Englishman, to diffuse within its bounds a high tolerance for religion; that love of liberty and free institutions; that pursuit of an ever higher justice and larger freedom which we associate with our race.
"It is because of this that the influence of David Lloyd George is felt over the whole civilised world.
"May God grant him health and strength to bear this Imperial burden." (Hear, hear).
"Let me add one personal note of thanks to Alderman Buchanan who has borne the whole expense of this tablet. I feel very grateful to him for it. And also to my very good friend, Mr. Philip Welch, the owner of the house, who, when I asked him about the tablet being erected, said it would be a great honour to him to have it there."
Dame Margaret having unveiled the tablet, Mr. Welch returned thanks to her. This duty, he said, was a pleasant one, for he had obtained something for nothing. It was a great privilege and honour to him to have that tablet in position, though there was one thing he was dubious about. He hoped the Mayor would not go back to the council offices and send the surveyor and officials to inspect the house, and then say that the valuation of the premises had been increased. (Laughter). If they did that he would send the bill to the Prime Minister. (Laughter).
He could not help recalling a remark the Premier made to his colleagues a short while ago, when he said "Pray for me." So he thought they could do nothing better than pray for him at the present time, that God's blessing might rest upon him in his arduous labours. In the little room in the house where they had family devotions he was remembered time and again.
They regretted he could not be present, but he would ask Dame Margaret to convey their wishes, and tell him that he would be pleased at any time to welcome him if he would do him the great honour of coming to the house that he once inhabited. (Hear, hear).
The company then adjourned to the Town Hall, where the Mayor and Mayoress held their first reception since their election. A distinguished company was present, all guests being received on arrival by the Mayor and Mayoress and Dame Margaret.
Tea was served while a ladies' orchestra discoursed sweet music among the delightfully arranged ferns and choice blooms.
The gathering was a huge success, upwards of 500 people being present. Not only were the political organisations in the borough represented, but representatives of neighbouring boroughs joined in the welcome.
Having another engagement Miss Megan left early, but Dame Margaret remained to the end.
Ald. and Mrs. Comins, Ald. Garrett, Ald. Laceby, Ald. and Mrs. Mellhuish, Ald. and Mrs. Prince, Ald. and Mrs. Robinson, Coun. and Mrs. Clarke, Coun. and Miss Cox, Coun. and Mrs. Curtis, Coun. and Mrs. Doland, Coun. and Miss Eland, Coun. Evershed and lady, Coun. and Mrs. Feasey, Coun. and Mrs. French, Coun. and Mrs. Glanville, Coun. and Mrs. Howard, Coun. and Mrs. Jenkins, Coun. and Mrs. Mason, Coun. and Mrs. Mills, Coun. and Mrs. Parsons, Coun. and Mrs. Phillips, Coun. and Mrs. Sanders, Coun. and Mrs. Shaw, Coun. and Mrs. Siffleet, Coun. Dr. Stephens, Coun. and Mrs. Towns, Coun. and Mrs. Watson, Coun. Major and Mrs. West, Coun. and Mrs. Dollond West.
Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Nicholl (town clerk), Dr. and Mrs. P. Caldwell Smith, Mr. and Mrs. P. Dodd, Dr. and Mrs. F. G. Caley, Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Richards, Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Waters, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. J. Martin, Mr. and Mrs. T. Everatt, Mr. and Mrs. F. R. Squires, Mr. and Mrs. T. G. Willett, Mr. and Mrs. Burton Ward.
Sir Wm. Lane Mitchell, M.P., and Miss Lane Mitchell, Capt. and Mrs. Denison Pender, Sir Alfred and Lady Butt, Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Galer, Sir Arthur and Lady Roberts, Mr. and Mrs. W. Hunt, Mr. Campbell-Johnston and lady, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Perring, the Rev. and Mrs. Derek Keppel, the Rev. and Mrs. Payne, the Rev. and Mrs. Dyke, the Rev. Canon and Mrs. Theodore Wood, the Rev. and Mrs. Brook-Jackson, the Rev. and Mrs. Dan Bryant, Mr. Edwin Evans.
Sir Henry and Lady Holloway, Mr. and Mrs. Holloway, Sir James and Lady Carmichael, Lady Dawnay, Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Shepherd, Sir Herbert and Lady Parsons, Mrs. George Parsons, Sir Walter and Lady Essex, Lord Marshall and Hon. Gwendolen Marshall, Mr. and the Hon. Mrs. Rank, the Rev. and Mrs. Wright, Miss Feltoe, Mrs. Grimwade, the Rev. and Mrs. H. H. Carlisle, the Rev. Bevill Allen.
Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Bottomley, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Bottomley, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Daw, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Wakeford, Rev. and Mrs. Stephens, Mr. and Miss Selley, Mr. E. E. Berry, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Swain, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Hanson, Mr. S. E. Mush, Mrs. E. H. Pelling, Mrs. G. S. Boorne, Rev. S. H. Courtnay Smith, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. and Mrs. Penn Gaskill, Mr. V. C. Cooke, Mr. and Mrs. T. W. H. Briggs, Dr. and Mrs. Edwin Smith, Mr. A. J. Hicks, Major and Mrs. G. H. Harnett.
Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Baines, Mr. and Mrs. P. Doherty, Mr. and Mrs. G. Blunt, Mr. and Mrs. G. Hill, Dr. and Mrs. E. Gordon Hull, Capt. and Mrs. A. E. Denny, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Johnston, Mr. and Mrs. S. Stephen, Dr. and Mrs. C. Hodgson, Mrs. and Miss Elliston, Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Grisenthwaite, Rev. Charter Piggott, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Compston, Miss Oldham, the Rev. Crauford Murray and Miss Murray, Miss Ridler, Miss Rowley, the adjutant, Salvation Army (Balham Corps).