Johnnie Williams
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Williams in Cardiff jersey | |||
Full name | John Lewis Williams | ||
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Date of birth | 3 January 1882 | ||
Place of birth | Whitchurch,[1] Wales | ||
Date of death | Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist. | ||
Place of death | Mametz, Somme, France | ||
School | Cowbridge Grammar School | ||
Rugby union career | |||
Playing career | |||
Position | Wing | ||
Amateur clubs | |||
Years | Club / team | ||
1899-1903 1903-1914 ? ? 1905 |
Newport RFC Cardiff RFC London Welsh RFC Harlequin F.C. Glamorgan County RFC |
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National team(s) | |||
Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
1906-1911 1908 |
Wales Anglo-Welsh |
17 2 |
(51) (0) |
John Lewis "Johnnie" Williams (3 January 1882 – 12 July 1916) was a Welsh international wing who played club rugby for Cardiff Rugby Club. A three times Triple Crown winner, out of seventeen appearances for Wales he was on the losing side only twice.
Private Life
He was born the son of Edward Lewis in Llwyncelyn, Whitchurch, Glamorgan.
Williams fought for his country in the First World War and served as a captain in the 38th (Welsh) Infantry Division. He died in the first few weeks of the Battle of the Somme, in the taking of Mametz Wood.[2] He is buried in Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension, near Amiens, France. He was married to Mabel.[3]
Rugby career
Williams was noted for his side step[4] and his inward swerve when running the touch-line was a signature move. When the 1906 touring South Africans played Cardiff, Williams managed to side step the great Arthur Marsberg to score a try. As Williams walked back Marsberg was so impressed he approached Williams and shook his hand.[4]
Williams was first capped in 1906 against the first touring South Africa team. Although seen as one of the worst Welsh performances the selectors kept faith in Williams and he would play for Wales a further sixteen times. Williams was part of three Welsh Triple Crown winning sides, lost only two matches and scored 17 tries in his 17 games. In the 1911 game against France, Billy Trew gave the captaincy to Williams.[5]
In 1908 Williams was part of Arthur Harding's Anglo-Welsh team that toured the Antipodes. Although an unsuccessful tour Williams played well and ended as the teams top try scorer.[4]
International matches played
Wales[6]
Australia 1908
England 1907, 1908, 1909, 1911
France 1909, 1911
Ireland 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911
Scotland 1907, 1908, 1909, 1911
South Africa 1906
Bibliography
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References
- ↑ Welsh Rugby Union player profiles
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Thomas (1979), pg 46.
- ↑ Wales' Grand Slam Triumph, Yahoo Sport
- ↑ Smith (1980), pg 473.
Rugby Union Captain | ||
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Preceded by | Cardiff RFC Captain 1909-1910 |
Succeeded by Reggie Gibbs |
- Use dmy dates from April 2012
- Sportspeople from Cardiff
- Welsh rugby union players
- Wales international rugby union players
- Rugby union wings
- 1882 births
- 1916 deaths
- Wales rugby union captains
- Cardiff RFC players
- Harlequin F.C. players
- Newport RFC players
- London Welsh RFC players
- British military personnel killed in World War I
- Glamorgan County RFC players