W C Powell

[hencarrai]

Does anyone have knowledge of W C Powell the Welsh rugby player please?
Google says born 1905 Aberbeeg, Mon. Died S Africa 1973.
Family legend says he was brother to the wife of an Uncle of mine (deceased).
However I have failed to make the link as I cannot tie WC Powell to 1911 census.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Rob

[KGarrad]

This Wikipedia page lists all Welsh Rugby Union players since 1881:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Wales_national_rugby_union_players

Going by that list I assume W C Powell was William Charles "Wick" Powell (#406 on the list). who made his debut against Scotland on 6th February 1926, and went on to make 27 appearances for Wales.

More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wick_Powell

[hencarrai]

Yes that's him, but can you find him in 1911.
Best wishes,
Rob

[KGarrad]

No I can't!
(we aren't supposed to do 1911 look-ups! Copyright!!

But he was an architect according to those wiki entries, and represented The Army and London Welsh, as well as Middlesex county?

So he obviously had moved to London?
Wonder where he studied?

The other thing is that I can't find his birth on FreeBMD?
Maybe he wasn't William Charles?
Or maybe he wasn't born in Aberbeeg?

There is a William Powell, born 1909, in Llanhilleth? But that's too late (I think) for him to be playing international rugby in 1926?
Then again, he did play for Crayshaws at the age of 16?
BUT Crawshays was only founded in 1922, so WC must have been born between 1906 and 1910.

[hencarrai]

Oops! forgot about copyright issue.
Thanks for the other thoughts, they'll be useful as I keep looking.

Best wishes,
Rob

[KGarrad]

Crawshays RFC played their first game at Devonport on 22nd April 1922.
WC was apparently 16 when he played for them.
So, if he played in that first game, he would have been born about 1906?

Aberbeeg, when you look up GenUKI, comes under Llanhiledd/Llanhilleth - so that William Powell I found is looking good?!

[hencarrai]

Yes, looks the best option.
I'll have to splash out on a certificate.
Thanks again,
Rob

[welshrugbyfan]

 Hi Rob
       I have an interest in Wick Powell the former Wales scrum half of the late 1920's to Mid 1930'S.In fact I have his Wales trial cap from 1929/30, recently purchased.Have not used this site previously.If you would like a photo ot the cap you would be very welcome but how?.His main club was London Welsh together with the Welsh Guards.Apart from Crawshays he had also played for Abertillery.The inside of the cap is inscribed WC Powell Welsh Guards so he was still a soldier /guardsman then.Also have other info but am aware of copyright issues.Not sure why he went to South Africa.Perhaps he liked the sun.
     He was a very very fine player indeed.Not sure if you are a rugby follower(hope so) but he was in the Terry Holmes /Michael Phillips mold.Big strong and very powerful.Probably figures in the all time "top ten" of Welsh scrum halves.Maybe in the top 5.Until  1972/3 he was the second most capped Wales scrum half since 1881.Hope this is of use,
                                                                               Regards.

[Paul Richardson]

I have an old Ogden's Cigarette card (Famous Rugby Players) for W. C. Powell which I would gladly send you at no charge.

Paul