Today the Welsh Rugby Union remembers the 13 international players who lost their lives in that great conflict, and also the three players who were killed in WW2. The Welsh team will wear black armbands as a mark of respect to the fallen players during the game against Argentina and there will be a minute’s silence observed before kick-off.
Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November in most countries to recall the end of hostilities of WW1 on that date in 1918. Hostilities formally ended “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month” in accordance with the armistice signed by representatives of Germany and the Entente between 5.12 and 5.20am that day.
The Great War officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on 28 June, 1919. The memorial evolved out of Armistice Day, which continues to be marked on the same date. The initial Armistice Day was observed at Buckingham Palace, commencing with King George V hosting a “Banquet in Honour of the President of the French Republic” during the night of 10 November, 1919.
The first official Armistice Day was subsequently held on the grounds of Buckingham Palace the following morning.
LEST WE FORGET – THE WELSH INTERNATIONALS WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR KING AND COUNTRY IN THE TWO GLOBAL CONFLICTS
ROLL OF HONOUR FOR WW1 (In order of death)
Eng Cpt. Charles Taylor, Royal Navy (HMS Tiger)
Died: 24/01/1915, Dogger Bank
Age: 51
Caps: 9
Club: London Welsh
2nd Lt. Billy Geen, Kings Royal Rifle Corps
Died: 31/07/1915, Hooge
Age: 24
Caps: 3
Club: Newport
Sgt.Louis Phillips, Royal Fusiliers
Died: 14/03/1916, Cuinchy
Age: 38
Caps: 4
Club: Newport
Sgt. Major Dick Thomas, South Wales Borderers
Died: 07/07/1916, Mametz Wood
Age: 32
Caps: 4
Club: Mountain Ash
Cpt Johnnie Williams, Welsh Regiment
Died: 12/07/1916, Corbie
Age: 34
Caps: 17
Club: Cardiff Sgt. David Watts, Kings, Shropshire Light Infantry
Died: 14/07/1916, Bazentein Ridge
Age: 30
Caps: 4
Club: Maesteg
Cpt. Charlie Pritchard, South Wales Borderers
Died: 14/08/1916, Chocques
Age: 33
Caps: 14
Club: Newport
2nd Lt. Horace Thomas, Rifle Brigade
Died: 03/09/1916, Ancle
Age: 26
Caps: 2
Club: Swansea
Lt Col. Richard Garnons-Williams, Royal Fusiliers
Died: 27/09/1916, Loos
Age: 59
Caps: 1
Club: Newport
Lt. Brinley Lewis, Royal Field Artillery
Died: 02/04/1917, Boesingle
Age: 26
Caps: 2
Club: Swansea
Pte. Dai Westacott, Gloucestershire Regiment
Died: 28/08/1917, Wieltje
Age: 35
Caps: 1
Club: Cardiff
Lt. Phil Waller, Royal Garrison Artillery
Died: 14/12/1917, Beaumetz-Les-Cabine
Age: 28
Caps: 6
Club: Newport
Lt. Fred Perrett, Welsh Guards
Died: 01/12/1918, Bolounge
Age: 27
Caps: 5
Club: Neath
ROLL OF HONOUR FOR WW2 (In order of death)
Sq Ldr. Cecil Evans, RAF
Died: 24/12/1941, northern France
Age: 32
Caps: 1
Club: Cardiff
Lt. John Evans, The Parachute Regiment
Died: 08/03/1943, Tunisia
Age: 32
Caps: 1
Club: Newport
Mjr. Maurice Turnbull, Welsh Guards
Died: 05/08/1944, near Montchamp
Age: 38
Cap: 5
Club: Cardiff
