- John Gwilliam
John Albert Gwilliam (born
28 February 1923 ) captained the Wales Rugby Union Team when they achieved Grand Slams in 1950 and 1952 [ [http://www.rugbyrelics.com/Wales.htm Description of the Grand Slams] ] [ [http://www.rugbyrelics.com/images/aaaaa/wy/1950-1952-Gwilliam.jpgArticle by John Gwilliam part 1] ] [ [http://www.rugbyrelics.com/images/aaaaa/wy/1950-1952-Gwilliam-b.jpgArticle by John Gwilliam part 2] ] [ [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/article813602.ece Article from "The Times" 2003 'Gwilliam's legacy'] ] . He played in his first international game on 20 December 1947 against Australia. He went on to win 23 caps for Wales, including notable victories over Australia in 1947 and theAll Blacks in 1953, 13 of these games were as captain. His last international game was against the England on 16 January 1954. He also played 'No 8' for Cambridge University, Gloucester, Edinburgh Wanderers, Newport, London Welsh, Llanelli and Wasps. In 2005 he was inducted into theWelsh Sports Hall of Fame (WSHF) [ [http://www.sports-council-wales.co.uk/hall_of_fame.cfm?main_nav=news&sub_nav=hall_of_fame Welsh Sports Hall of Fame] ] [The Independent " 15 May 2005] .He was born in
Pontypridd , the son of Thomas Albert and Adela Audrey Gwilliam [ [http://www.historyofnewport.co.uk/players/johnagwilliam.php Biography by Newport RFC] ] . He attendedMonmouth School and went up toTrinity College, Cambridge in 1941. After spending a year at Cambridge, he was commissioned as an officer in theRoyal Tank Regiment and saw action in Europe. After the war, he returned to Cambridge and then became a teacher. He taught at Glenalmond College, Perth 1949-52, atBromsgrove School 1952-56, as Head of Lower School atDulwich College 1956-63 and eventually as headmaster ofBirkenhead School from 1963-1988, where he is remembered for his disciplinary standards and his religious views. [ [http://www.birkenheadschool.co.uk/about/people/whoswho.htm#GWILLIAM Copy of John Gwilliam's "Who's Who?" entry from Birkenhead School website] ]He married Pegi Lloyd George in 1949 and has three sons and two daughters. He lives in retirement at
Llanfairfechan ,Gwynedd .References
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