Harold Thomas (rugby, born 1914)
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Harold Watkin Thomas | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 19 February 1914 Neath, Wales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 10 December 1989 (aged 75) Neath, Wales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Lock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rugby league | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Second-row | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Harold Watkin Thomas (19 February 1914 – 10 December 1989) was a Welsh dual-code international rugby union, and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s and 1940s. He played representative level rugby union (RU) for Wales and Wales XV, and at club level for his native town of Neath, as a lock, i.e. number 4 or 5,[1][2] and representative level rugby league (RL) for Wales, and at club level for Salford, as a second-row, i.e. number 11 or 12, during the era of contested scrums.[3]
Background
Harold Thomas was born in Neath, Wales in 1914. His father Tom played rugby for Neath, and his brother David was also capped for Wales. A metal worker by trade Thomas served as a regimental sergeant major in the maritime branch of the Royal Artillery during the Second World War. He saw action in the Atlantic, Russian and Indian waters, and at one time survived the sinking of his ship by a Japanese submarine.[4] Thomas died aged 75 in Neath, Wales.
Playing career
International honours
Harold Thomas won caps for Wales (RU) while at Neath RFC in 1936 against England, Scotland, and Ireland, and in 1937 against England, Scotland, and Ireland,[1][2] represented Wales XV (RU) while at Salford (RL) in the 'Victory International' non-Test match(es) between December 1945 and April 1946, and won caps for Wales (RL) while at Salford 1938...1939 2-caps.[3]
Six rugby league footballers represented
Gomer Hughes, and Harold Thomas had previously won Wales (RU) caps, but the other footballers had not, and having already changed to the rugby league code they were unable to do so, Tyssul Griffiths, Elwyn Gwyther, Leslie Thomas, did go on to win Wales (RL) caps, but Hugh Lloyd-Davies and W. E. "Billy" Williams won neither Wales (RU) nor Wales (RL) caps.
Challenge Cup Final appearances
Harold Thomas played left-
, London, in front of a crowd of 51,243.County Cup Final appearances
Harold Thomas played right-
References
- ^ a b c "Profile at en.espn.co.uk (RU)". en.espn.co.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
- ^ a b c "Statistics at wru.co.uk (RU)". wru.co.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
- ^ a b c "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org (RL)". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ISBN 1-872424-10-4.
- ^ "22nd October 1938: Salford 7 Wigan 10 (Lancashire Cup Final)". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.