Dr Williams’ School, Dolgelley, Panoramic Photograph, March 1939

Dr Williams’ School in Dolgellau, Merionethshire, opened in 1878. It was one of the North Wales charity schools endowed under the will of Dr Daniel Williams (c.1643-1716), the Nonconformist minister. The school closed in 1975, and its site is now Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor. Former pupils include Margaret Lloyd George and the novelist Marion Eames.

The whole school is gathered on the lawn in March 1939, six months before the outbreak of war. Several hundred girls in dark pinafores and school badges stand in rows, with the staff seated at the centre and two nurses in white veils among them. Two small boys sit cross-legged at the front. Bare trees and a white modern building with an outside stair rise behind.

Black-and-white panoramic photograph. Titled in the lower margin ‘Dr. Williams’ School, Dolgelley. March 1939.’ around the school arms and the motto ‘Ardua Semper’. Credited lower right ‘Photo by Panora Ltd. London, W.C.1.’ and numbered ‘26416.’ in the negative. Glazed in a slim black frame. Some staining to the lower margin and chips to the frame.