Mercantile Marine War Memorial

First World War memorial drinking fountain, pre-1936.

MATERIALS: limestone

DESCRIPTION: the Mercantile Marine war memorial drinking fountain is located at the junction of Osmaston Road and Prenton Lane and is set upon a circular area of flag paving. The fountain is constructed of four blocks of stone consisting of a shaped plinth, which acts as a step up to the front south face, and three large square blocks above with carved rope moulding detail to the four corners. The fountain bowl is located to the front south face and is modelled on a ship’s prow with a clinker-built hull, prominent keel and a stylised ram’s prow with volute scrolling. A rough, squared patch of stone where the fountain’s faucet would have sat is set above the bowl, while an incised cutting and rough semicircle beneath the bowl mark the former drain. The fountain’s north face bears the inscription IN RECOGNITION/ OF THE/ GALLANT SERVICES/ RENDERED BY THE/ MERCANTILE MARINE/ DURING THE/ GREAT WAR/ 1914-1919 with a carved roundel above depicting an alisee patee cross.

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 18 August 2021 correct wording in description.