Free Czechoslovak Army Memorial Fountain

The Free Czechoslovak Army Memorial Fountain is a tribute to the Free Czechoslovak Army, which was based in Leamington Spa during the Second World War, particularly honoring those who died following Operation Anthropoid. It was designed by John French and erected in 1968.

The fountain features a wide, shallow, seven-lobed bowl supported by seven clustered piers, symbolizing the seven men being commemorated. Each pier is topped with a carved rampant lion, representing the contemporary symbol of Czechoslovakia. At the center of the bowl, a water feature shaped like an open parachute rises, with water flowing from the apex down the seams into each lobe of the bowl, mimicking the cords of the parachute. The names of the commemorated individuals are inscribed on each section of this feature. Water exits the lobes through carved channels, cascading into a shallow circular pool at the base, which is made of roughly-hewn stone. The pool is lined with Hornton stone paving, has brick sides, and blue brick capping, and is surrounded by granite setts arranged in concentric circles.

Next to the fountain is a bronze memorial plaque, approximately 0.9 meters by 0.75 meters, mounted on a rough granite block. The plaque honors all Czechoslovak soldiers, airmen, and patriots who fell in World War II, specifically mentioning the volunteers from the Free Czechoslovak Forces who were parachuted into their homeland to combat the tyranny of S.S. General Heydrich. It notes that Jan Kubiš and Josef Gabčík successfully completed their mission in May 1942 and sacrificed their lives for freedom.