Melbourne Thomas
Beriah Melbourne Gwynne Thomas (11 June 1896 – 23 June 1966)[1] was a Welsh international rugby union player. He played club rugby several teams including Bridgend, St. Batholomew's Hospital, London Welsh and Cardiff. At international level he represented Wales on six occasions.
| Birth name | Beriah Melbourne Gwynne Thomas | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 11 June 1896 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Nantymoel, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | 23 June 1966 (aged 70) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of death | Pontypridd, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Bridgend County School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University College, Cardiff | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rugby career
"Melbourne" Thomas was a Doctor of Medicine, having studied first at University College, Cardiff and then at St Bartholomew's Hospital, he also played rugby for both institutions. During the First World War he enlisted in the Royal Navy, serving as a surgeon sub-lieutenant. After the war came to a close, in an effort to rebuild the sport of rugby, a match was organised between a Wales team and the New Zealand Army. The game was arranged for 21 April 1919, to be played at St. Helen's in Swansea. Thomas was chosen to represent Wales, earning his first international cap.
International games played
Wales
Bibliography
- Billot, John (1972). All Blacks. Ferndale: Ron Jones Publications.
- Smith, David; Williams, Gareth (1980). Fields of Praise: The Official History of The Welsh Rugby Union. Cardiff: University of Wales Press. ISBN 0-7083-0766-3.
References
- Melbourne Thomas player profiles Scrum.com