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