Hailing from Llangynwyd farming stock, Major went to school at Cwmfelin and then Maesteg Comprehensive School. He finished his education at Bridgend Technical College before going on to serve as a Private in the Welch Regiment. In later life he worked as a carpenter and then as a farmer.Â
A quick and immensely strong wing, his rugby career was centred around Maesteg, for whom he scored 54 tries in 228 appearances. His Maesteg debut came at the age of 16 against Briton Ferry in 1946, when he played alongside his father, Gwilym.Â
He also played for Maesteg Quins, Maesteg Celtic, Neath, Aberavon, Bridgend, London Welsh, the Eastern Counties of England, the Army, the Combined Services and Glamorgan County. He went on to become President of both Maesteg and Glamorgan County.Â
He made his Wales debut on the same day as Malcolm Thomas, Peter Stone and Clem Thomas at Stade Colombes won their first caps in a game won 5-3 at France on 26 March, 1949.Â
His second cap came on 4 February, 1950, when he played in the 12-0 home win over Scotland in the second game of Wales’ first Grand Slam campaign for 38 years. He took over from Trevor Brewer, who had made his Wales debut in the win over England at Twickenham.Â
At the time of his death he was Wales’ second oldest living international after Courtenay Meredith. The WRU offers sincere condolences to the family and friends of Windsor Major.Â
Windsor Major (Cap No 562) B: 5 June, 1929; D: 5 April, 2022; 2 capsÂ
