Melbourne Thomas

Beriah Melbourne Gwynne Thomas (11 June 1896 – 23 June 1966) was a Welsh international rugby union player. He played club rugby several teams including Nantymoel, Ogmore Vale, Bridgend, St. Batholomew's Hospital, London Welsh and Cardiff. At international level he represented Wales on six occasions.

Melbourne Thomas

Birth name	Beriah Melbourne Gwynne Thomas
Date of birth	(1896-06-11)11 June 1896
Place of birth	Nantymoel, Bridgend County Borough, Wales
Date of death	23 June 1966(1966-06-23) (aged 70)
Place of death	Pontypridd, Wales
School	Bridgend County School
University	University College, Cardiff
Rugby union career
Position(s) wing Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) Nantymoel RFC () – Ogmore Vale RFC () – St. Batholomew's Hospital () – Bridgend RFC () – London Welsh RFC () – Cardiff RFC () – Barbarian F.C. () International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1919-1924 Wales 6 (6)

Jumping for the ball

Rugby career

"Melbourne" Thomas was a Doctor of Medicine, having studied first at University College, Cardiff and then at St Bartholomew's Hospital, he also played rugby for both institutions. During the First World War he enlisted in the Royal Navy, serving as a surgeon sub-lieutenant. After the war came to a close, in an effort to rebuild the sport of rugby, a match was organised between a Wales team and the New Zealand Army. The game was arranged for 21 April 1919, to be played at St. Helen's in Swansea. Thomas was chosen to represent Wales, earning his first international cap.

International games played

Wales

• England 1924
• Ireland 1921
• France 1921, 1923
• New Zealand Army 1919
• Scotland 1921

Bibliography

• Billot, John (1972). All Blacks. Ferndale: Ron Jones Publications.
• Smith, David; Williams, Gareth (1980). Fields of Praise: The Official History of The Welsh Rugby Union. Cardiff: University of Wales Press. ISBN 0-7083-0766-3.