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Pontarddulais

Pontarddulais war memorial is located on St Teilo Street and is composed of a square four-stepped base and plinth in pink granite finished in a rusticated style. The tall rectangular column has three distinct sections and has classical style detailing to it; for example, the corners are designed as columns/pilasters and there is dentil moulding under the cornice at the top of the second section. The column has a smooth finished pink granite on the corners of the column and as the cornicing for each section. Marble plaques are inset within the column and hold the inscriptions in lead letters. Surmounting the column is a particularly fine marble sculpture representing either peace or an angel, and carrying a cross, instruments of war sit at her feet.

In 2009, War Memorials Trust gave a grant of £2,500 towards a schedule of conservation and repair works to the memorial. Unfortunately the memorial was suffering from historical well meaning, but damaging, cleaning as well as a lack of maintenance. The most obvious result of this was the significant amount of orange iron staining visible on the marble panels. This was likely to have been caused by water ingress through the open joints affecting iron fixings within the structure thus causing the staining to come to the surface. Furthermore, regular inappropriate cleaning (likely to have been acid used up to 20years ago) had affected the surface of the marble, making it more prone to biological growths. The Trust has seen a number of examples of this type of staining on marble elements of memorials.

The works consisted of cleaning the memorial of soiling with a variety of methods depending on the type of stone and soiling present, this included water, an appropriate biocide, non-ionic soap and steam cleaning, as well as removing some graffiti. Open joints were re-pointed with lime mortar. Some of the lead lettering had been lost; due to the processes involved in replacing the letters (hammering in new lead) and the condition of the marble it was considered too high risk and therefore the letters were painted in black to blend with the existing.

Another part of the project was to address the iron staining on the marble. It was recognised that it is virtually impossible to completely remove this type of staining, particularly if it is long-standing. However, the opportunity was taken to reduce the extent of the staining through the use of poultices. When on site cleaning trials were undertaken to see what the best method would be. Following these trials it transpired that the treatments actually made the staining worse, probably because the iron fixings are still in place, so the decision was taken not to pursue this element. Other options regarding the staining are currently being considered. Although distracting, the staining is not damaging the memorial and the likely risks involved in dismantling the memorial to remove the fixings are too high.

Overall, the sensitive conservation treatments employed in the project as well as the re-pointing have helped to treat the condition of the memorial as much as possible. From now on the appropriate maintenance of the memorial will help to ensure its longevity.

The memorial was originally constructed after World War I on land that was previously part of the Dulais Glen Hotel garden. Seventy competitive designs were received for the memorial and the design of Mr Daniel Morgan of Bronllwyn was decided upon and he was made Honorary Architect and Surveyor. The builders were Messrs. A. Thomas and Sons of Pontarddulais and were selected from 31 tenders. Work was completed in April 1927 and the memorial was dedicated on 25th June 1927. Following World War II the local branch of the Royal British Legion arranged for the names of the fallen to be added, again overseen by Mr Morgan, this time the work was carried out by another local firm, Messrs. Tree and Grub.

Further information

War Memorials Trust reference WM3255
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 6623

If you have a concern about this memorial please contact the Trust on conservation@warmemorials.org

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