Tom Pryce Hamer
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) is looking to mark the centenary of the 1st World War with a touring exhibition that will highlight the role played by Welsh Footballers during the conflict of 1914-1918.
FAW Historian, Ceri Stennett, is in the process of researching for the project that will start to tour around Wales later this year. It is hoped that it will visit all of the Welsh Premier Football Clubs, as well as other clubs, museums and exhibition areas.
Many footballers – both domestic and international – served their country with pride during the conflict. Several were decorated for gallantry and some made the ultimate sacrifice. Ceri takes-up the story: “Many players put aside their football boots to join the Army and Navy and serve with distinction during the Great War. Through this exhibition, I want to tell some of those stories – whether the man was from a small, local football club in Wales, or whether he was an established professional or international name.”
Amongst those decorated were: Morgan Morgan-Owen DSO (Essex Regiment – from Cardiff), George Latham MC (Royal Welsh Fusiliers – from Newtown), Leigh Roose MM (Royal Fusiliers – from Wrexham), Stan Davies MM (Royal Welsh Fusiliers – from Chirk), Dai Collier MM (Welch Regiment – from Llwynypia) and Bob Mills-Roberts CMG, TD (Royal Army Medical Corps – from Penmachno). Those known to have been killed in action include: Bobby Atherton (Merchant Navy), Arnold Dargie (Royal Garrison Artillery), Fred Griffiths (Notts & Derby Regiment), Tom Pryce-Hamer (South Wales Borderers), Ivor Owen (Kings Regiment), Leigh Roose MM (Royal Fusiliers), John Gurth Morgan-Owen (South Wales Borderers), George Williams (Kings Royal Rifle Corps) and James Williams (Middlesex Regiment).
Ceri would be very pleased to hear from any families of the above players who may have information on their careers that can be used in the exhibition. He is especially keen to find military or football medals to the players, photographs from their time in the services, letters or other memorabilia. He continued: “I would be happy to come and visit family members all over the country to unearth stories. The FAW is also keen to establish a Roll of Honour to those who fell in the service of their country.”
He can be contacted at the FAW on 02920 435846 or via email: [email protected]. The postal address is: Ceri Stennett, Football Association of Wales, 11 / 12 Neptune Court, Vanguard Way, Cardiff, CF24 5PJ.
