JBG Thomas - Welsh Rugby Journalist

JBG THOMAS

'Rugby's Man of a MiIlion Words'

An appreciation by John Griffiths

JBG Thomas was rugby’s man of a million words. In a lifetime devoted to chronicling the game he loved, he wrote more words than any other critic, past or present, about rugby football. Books, magazine articles and programme notes flowed effortlessly from the proud Welshman’s battered typewriter, but it was as the chief rugby correspondent of the Cardiff Western Mail that he achieved lasting fame.

His stint with the national newspaper of Wales established him as a household name in rugby circles, and arguably he did more than any other of his contemporaries to raise the Mail’s profile during his long service from January 1946 until May 1982, when he retired as the paper’s assistant editor.

Rugby was in the blood. John Brinley George – he was known as Bryn – Thomas was born in Pontypridd, but his paternal grandparents were of Carmarthenshire stock and keen Llanelli supporters. The 1920s were not golden days for Welsh rugby, but family summer holidays spent in Loughor inevitably involved trips to Stradey Park to see Dai and Arthur John and Albert Jenkins, Llanelli and Wales’s outstanding centre of the day, parading their rugby skills.

The young JBG saw his first match there as a six-year-old, Llanelli v Pontypridd. He was hooked. He avidly began collecting everything related to the game that he could set his hands on. Cigarette cards, programmes and newspaper cuttings were all assiduously stored for future reference. His father was a butcher in Ponty and as a youth JBG was always the first to unwrap the parcel of recycled newspapers that came into the shop to be used as wrapping paper. These were plundered for match reports and pictures – rugby in winter; cricket in the summer. All were kept, meticulously labelled in manila folders, for the rest of his life. Later, after moving to Cardiff, where he was a pupil at Cathays High School, he began collecting books and caught the rugby-writing bug.

He captained his school’s senior side as a full back but in his teens he was already finding his name in print. The BBC had pioneered outside broadcasting in the late 1920s with Captain Teddy Wakelam’s live radio commentaries of international rugby matches. JBG followed these intently, charting match facts from the remarkably detailed coverage. At length, he was bold enough to write to the Radio Times, where its then editor Gordon Stowell was an encouraging influence on the young rugby writer. The Western Mail and News Chronicle were other outlets for his freelance work as a youth.......... more...........click here

JBG's 'FIRST' BOOK

"The Story of the Cardiff Rugby Football Club" - 1939

'The book that never was'

(WRM-0371)

When JBG moved to a smaller house in the late 1990s much of his collection was auctioned at Phillips in Cardiff. there were many interesting items for sale but one that caught our attention was an unpublished manuscript of what would have been JBG's first book.

For JBG the timing couldn't have been worse for publishing his first work, at the beginning of World War Two, when the focus of the country was on the war effort.

It looks as though our manuscript which is pasted into a scrapbook has a part of it missing, there are just 5 typed pages remaining along with several photographs. There are also several blank pages towards the end of the book before the autographs of the Cardiff and Barbarians teams from 1940 are pasted into the book so it could be that this is just an unfinished work. It is clear however that this was an official work from the photos. It looks like JBG organised a training session involving the Cardiff team and backroom staff, there are many posed photographs including some of the star players of the era Wilf Wooller and Bleddyn Williams included.

Click on the thumbnails below to view the book !

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL BIBLIOGRAPHY OF JBG's BOOKS

Haydn Tanner

...............But the turning point in his career, he always said, was in 1935 when, at the age of 18, he saw Wales beat the third All Blacks 13-12 at Cardiff. He was the same age as the Welsh scrum-half, Haydn Tanner. JBG had recently left school to start work at the City Hall in Cardiff, where he met his wife-to-be, Gwen. But reading “Old Stager's” match report of that famous Welsh win in the Mail’s sister paper, the Football Echo, he realised that rugby writing was his true calling. “It was the tender trap. I told myself, that’s for me!” he later recalled.

                He took himself off to the big matches in the years leading up to the Second World War, seeing first-hand the exploits of “Tuppy” Owen-Smith and Hal Sever in England’s Triple Crown year of 1937 and watching Scotland’s Wilson Shaw wrest the Crown from England in the Twickenham sunshine the year later.

                War Service in the Navy followed. He began on destroyer duty in E-Boat Alley and by June 1944, as a lieutenant RNVR in fleet minesweepers, was in the van of the D-Day landings heading the American Forces into Omaha Beach in the critical stages of the great liberation that led to Peace. Throughout his war service he carried in the breast pocket of his uniform a copy of the 1939-40 edition of the Rugby Football Annual – it was his rugby bible.



The most significant event of his war-service, though, had taken place whilst home on leave in 1943. The then editor of the Western Mail, David Prosser, invited JBG for interview. Johnny Hoare, who as “Old Stager” had led the newspaper’s rugby correspondents for many years, had died in his fifties and a successor would eventually need to be appointed.

                It was the offer of a lifetime and having survived the war, JBG Thomas began his professional writing with the newspaper in January 1946. He covered Wales and club rugby in the winter and county cricket in the summer.

                His first “big story” came two years later in 1948, not on the rugby front but with his beloved Glamorgan County Cricket Club.

JBG reports on the 1969 championship success

The Welsh county won the Championship for the first time and JBG was in the press-box above the thousands at St Helen’s and Cardiff who watched a side led by Wilf Wooller beat off the challenge of England’s best. That success, Glamorgan’s victory over the 1964 touring Australians and the county’s repeat Championship win of 1969 were his favourite cricket memories.......... more on JBG.......click here

1955 Lions manager Jack Siggins & JBG

THE 1974 LIONS MATCH NOTES OF JBG THOMAS

(WRM-0713)

We been lucky enough to have the notes penned by JBG for each match during the 1974 Lions tour donated to www.world-rugby-museum.com by the family of JBG.
The notes have at one time been contained in a spiral bound notebook and were probably removed post tour so that the book could be continued to be used at matches that JBG would attend.
The notes give us some idea of how JBG the journalist worked. The general notes, would be aide memoirs for later reference when doing match reports. They generally refer to highlights - eg scores, but also lead up to scores, close run things near the try line, good defence, or injuries. These would be important for the run of play element on the whole report.
JBG would type up his reports if time allowed or would dictate over the phone shortly after the game. When deadlines were tight he could dictate over the phone to the Mail/Echo using the notes.
The notes are rushed down onto paper so that less of the match is missed, (this makes them almost impossible for others to read!) They are split into 3 columns..................


Left
The actual and lapsed time

Centre

Short notes relating to an incident in the match

Right
p = penalty

th = tight head

       We have isolated one incident in the third test as an example of how JBG's notes related to the match, Gordon Brown's try. This is how JBG noted it during the game.




3:58 (time)
43 (mins - lapsed time)

got ball to touch 3 yds from Springboks line.

thrown ?????? in - Brown jumped and (followed or gathered) our first try

H.T (half time) Springboks 1 - 0 - 3        Lions 1 - 1 - 7
p = penalty
th = tight head


As you can see from the above snippet JBG's writing is extremely difficult if not impossible for the untrained eye to read, we have placed question marks where we are unable to decipher the writing and most of the rest is an educated guess.
This is how the try appeared in a photo and description in his book of the tour "The Greatest Lions"

............. " The Lions moved away and them much underrated Ian McGeechan made a clever break moving right. He kicked away to the corner and Irvine, following up at speed, steered the ball to touch near the right corner flag for a Springbok throw-in. Gordon Brown moved up the line from No. 5 to front and, as the ball was thrown fast and hard to the short line by Van Wyk, the clever Brown jumped high, gathered and dived over the line before you could say 'Boet Erasmus'. It was his eighth try of the tour to set a record for touring lock forwards and one of intense value to the Lions at this stage of the match."...........

It is clear from JBG's account of the third test that he was in regular telephone contact with the Western Mail & Echo in Cardiff during the game.


"I waited high in the stand for the first phone call from Cardiff"
"Ring ding ding went my telephone and I was able to report all square at three-all"
"The fire died away and the Springbok steam was reduced in pressure and was on the phone at the time to Cardiff I could hear the cheers (there was no live television broadcast in those days but a live radio commentary was provided by the BBC) in the background from the 'Echo' staff as the Lions went into a lead they were not to loose."

The time zone between South Africa and Britain are very similar and he would have been dictating the report in time for the 'Football Echo' to hit the streets at 6.00pm. Never one to bask in his personal glory JBG passed on his thanks to his staff and the system which allowed him to capture the British Lions greatest moment.


"One was almost hoarse with delight sending the last words of the 'Echo' report to Cardiff and Mrs Leighton, an excellent copy taker, thoroughly enjoyed it all, while one must say 'Thank you' to telephone engineers and operators along the line. There have been fewer happier rugby stories that I have phoned to Cardiff in nearly thirty years. The British Isles Rugby Union team, disowned by its government, had achieved tremendous victory in becoming the first Lions side to beat South Africa in a series since 1896. More important still, it had become the first side to win a series in South Africa this century.
    The crowd applauded warmly as the Lions walked off in a genuine show of appreciation and this was symbolic of the pleasure the side had given to all South Africans, and especially the coloured people who had remained steadfast in their support. The South African members of the Press Gang were ready and warm in their congratulations even though a few of them, in the days that followed, castigated the national selectors rather overpoweringly, and 'Sniped' at the Lions for their prolonged celebrating!
    Thousands of words were being typed and written in the Press Box at Boet Erasmus in the hours that followed the end of the match, and several poured words over the air into the British Isles, everywhere the news was almost instant. The Lions were the new champions at rugby football. In 1891 the news of an unbeaten record had to be carried from Cape Town to Southampton by ship but now, 83 years later, and a complete change in the way of life of Africa, another side looked like enjoying or achieving an unbeaten tour."

1st Test Rhodesia 2nd Test

                But rugby of course was his first love and he didn’t have long to wait before covering Wales’s first post-war success story. It came in 1950 when John Gwilliam, a late stand-in as captain for injured Bleddyn Williams, led the principality to its first Triple Crown and Grand Slam for 39 years.



The campaign opened at Twickenham where in 40 years Wales had succeeded only once before. There had been a massive shortage of newsprint in the post-war years but JBG was given more and more space as Welsh rugby started to recover the standing it had enjoyed during its Golden Era between 1900 and 1911. “Hats off to Wales! Theirs was a great victory at Twickenham, and restored the waning prestige of Welsh Rugby,” he led in the Western Mail on the Monday after the match. It was always capital R for Rugby and capital G for the Game when JBG wrote about the sport.

                Scotland were beaten at Swansea to set up a battle for the Crown with Ireland in Belfast. The Grand Slam wasn’t a term in the rugby lexicon in 1950, for France were still regarded as the also-rans in the International Championship at this time. It was winning the Triple Crown that was seen as the ultimate prize. Ireland, led by their hooker Karl Mullen and spearheaded behind the scrum by the great Jackie Kyle, had carried off the mythical trophy in 1948 and 1949. True, they had lost narrowly to England at Twickenham in 1950, but a recent 21-0 victory over Scotland had put them back on a winning road and with home advantage and the Championship title still in sight, the match with Wales was expected to be a huge showdown.

                The game more than lived up to expectation and it was Wales who took the spoils. In the dying moments and with the scores locked at 3-3, Newport wing Malcolm Thomas dived to score the winning try. “The Triple Crown is ours! Cymru am Byth! At long last the 39 years’ quest has ended and the bogy of continued failure banished,” a delighted JBG told his readers on the Monday.

Wales v Ireland 1950

                But the story was to be tragically put into perspective by the events of the intervening Sunday. A Tudor IV charter aircraft carrying 82 crew and passengers crashed returning from Belfast to Llandow. Eighty, mostly Welsh rugby supporters, lost their lives in what was then the worst civil air disaster.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE ABOUT IRELAND v WALES 1950 AND THE LLANDOW AIR DISASTER

                JBG had enjoyed a night of revels before rushing back by boat, train and car with his colleague Reg Pelling of the Echo to start working on a would-be front-page Triple Crown story. But he finished that Sunday afternoon helping newsmen report from the scene of disaster and compiling a completely different front-page story. The Triple Crown tale was buried among the sports pages.......... more.......click here

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There was another Triple Crown to report two years later, by which time Thomas’s reputation as rugby critic and historian was secure. To mark the occasion the Welsh Rugby Union commissioned JBG to edit an official souvenir of the Triple Crown. The editor set about his task with enthusiasm, engaging the great names from Welsh rugby’s past to illuminate an attractive and informative publication. W J “Billy” Bancroft of the 1890s, Rhys Gabe, Billy Spiller and Tommy Vile from the Golden Era of the early 1900s and Wilf Wooller, a journalistic colleague now and a stalwart of the Welsh XVs of the 1930s, were all roped in to add colour to a publication whose proceeds benefited the Junior Rugby Unions in Wales.

                The 35-year-old JBG’s reputation was summed up by Sir David Rocyn Jones, the Union’s distinguished president, in the foreword: “He is a popular and knowledgeable critic who has covered every international match played by Wales since the War. He is respected by official, player and spectator alike, and is a great student of the game.”

                The success of the Welsh side and the part he had played in its telling put his name on the map. He had covered the 1951-52 Springboks tour of Britain and through his connections he was in demand to write for South African journals. The 1953-54 All Blacks tour was to provide a new opportunity. He had for some time toyed with the idea of producing a book on the history of the game, especially the great rugby tours. He found an accommodating publisher in Stanley Paul of London and his first work, On Tour, appeared in the New Year, 1954. When the first draft of the manuscript arrived at the publishers they were staggered by its length. He had to cut it by half, but still managed to add a postscript covering Cardiff’s defeat of the All Blacks in 1953 . . . in between the book going to press and its final release.



It is a relatively little-known fact that much of the half omitted appeared six months later as part of another book, Fifty Years of the All Blacks. For this publication by Phoenix House, Thomas was thinly disguised by the pseudonym David Owen. The book was a record of every New Zealand match played in Britain and Ireland between 1905 and 1954, JBG again teaming up with great players of the past to tell the fascinating story of the first four All Blacks tours to this country. Wilf Wooller shared the bulk of the writing, with Rhys Gabe, Len Corbett (England), Sam Walker (Ireland) and Jock Wemyss (Scotland) adding perspectives from the other Home Unions...................... more on JBG..... click here



These were the first of what became a veritable library of works and by the time JBG published his memoirs in his last book, Rugger in the Blood, in 1985, thirty had been penned under his name. Many charted the ups and downs of major touring teams while others adopted a more historical perspective. But all were written with enthusiasm – the reader sensed that the author was dying to tell his tale, to spread the rugby word. And spread it he certainly did, for at the time few books on rugby football were published.

                He wasn’t the most stylish of writers, and would never settle for five words when he could use fifty, but he had no superior as a rugby writer when it came to sheer hard graft. No-one ever made a fortune out of writing rugby books and money was never the driving force behind his publishing ventures. “Mind, they did pay for decent family holidays,” he once divulged.

                The year 1955 was to be a landmark one for JBG and the Western Mail. It was a Lions tour year, to South Africa to take on a side that hadn’t lost a home series since the 1890s. Wales were well represented in the tour party and the newspaper sent their man to cover the visit. John Billot, a longstanding colleague on the paper, recalled: “Expenses were tight. Bryn set off for London in a delivery van sitting on top of newspapers.”



Viv Jenkins & JBG on tour

The tour was a rip-roaring success. The Lions shared the series (after leading 2-1 at one stage) and JBG, like his press colleague Viv Jenkins, was so popular with the players that he became an honorary member of the party. Investigative sports journalism was unheard of and JBG’s reports and stories were given plenty of space back home. He was a father-figure to many of the tourists and many of the friendships he forged with players on that tour were to last a lifetime that took in eight more Lions trips.



              Meanwhile in Cardiff the Western Mail had appointed a new editor in 1955. David Cole, at 27, was young and go-ahead with the drive and ambition to broaden the newspaper’s appeal. JBG’s rugby coverage would be a key factor in the paper’s circulation rising in the next two years by 30% and into six-figures for the first time in its history.

                By the late 1950s JBG’s name and the Western Mail were synonymous with rugby. His growing reputation attracted offers to leave Wales and head for a career in Fleet Street. He wrote under the pen-name “Arthurian” for the Daily Telegraph and was in demand to broadcast for both television and radio, skills he had honed as a youngster with his brother, the playwright Gethyn Stoodley Thomas. But he wasn’t interested.

                Both he and his newspaper went from strength to strength and the successes of Welsh rugby in the 1960s, thanks to its lead in appointing national coaches and the coming together of a team of exceptional talents, allowed JBG to ask for and get more rugby coverage in his paper than he could ever have expected working for one of Fleet Street’s soccer-dominated sports news desks. Having plenty of space to write about the game he loved was more important to him than big London salaries and generous expense accounts.

JBG with hand on chin watching the Welsh squad at training with Malcolm Lewis (coaching team), Gerry Lewis (physio) & Cliff Jones (chairman of selectors)

                When the Lions and Wales enjoyed a run of success in the 1970s they provided him with the best stories of his reporting career. The 1971 Lions visit to New Zealand was the highlight of his touring days. Even his newspaper surprised him on that tour, asking for Test reports on the whistle so that the Saturday morning editions – Wales being twelve hours behind New Zealand local time – could carry the first news of the tourists’ only winning series against the All Blacks to date.

                He was a straightforward writer, never worrying about the angle or the inside story. He told the tale, analysed the game and praised the best players. He never destroyed reputations. A host of Welsh greats, from Bleddyn Williams to J P R Williams, commented later that they knew when they’d had a poor game because JBG simply did not mention them. He had the respect and trust of the players and even the selectors. He was invariably the first to know the composition of a Welsh XV, but was trusted to keep the news embargoed until a suitable time......... more on JBG...... click here



Players past and present enjoyed his company. When Cliff Jones hosted the 50^th anniversary reunion dinner for the survivors of the 1935 Wales v New Zealand match, the game that had so captured the imagination of the teenaged Thomas, JBG was the honorary guest of the eleven Welsh survivors who attended the Royal Hotel on 21^st December 1985. He even proposed the final toast: “That beautiful one point.”

                Even when Wales were unexpectedly (or even sometimes expectedly) beaten in the Five Nations, JBG’s pieces would often include a paragraph that started off along the lines . . . “Wales can still be champions if . . .” He was always optimistic.



He was moreover always keen to see the interests of the game advanced. When the Welsh Rugby Union announced its intention to commission its Centenary History for the 1980-81 season, most connected with the game felt JBG should be the automatic choice for the job. He wasn’t. Nevertheless, he published his own splendid illustrated history of the Welsh game in a then modern, beautifully-designed volume. A wide selection of rare photographs from JBG’s personal archives helped to make the book arguably the most attractive published on rugby up to that time. Viv Jenkins, in his foreword, called him “indisputably the Recorder of the Century where Welsh rugby is concerned.”

                Yet JBG was generous to rival authors. “The game would welcome them all,” he wrote at the time, “for there can never be too many.” He was also encouraging to new freelances trying to make their way, as he himself had done many years earlier. For years he combined his Western Mail duties with those of press-box organiser for the Welsh Rugby Union. In those blissful days before corporate management of such affairs became the norm, he carried out his duties with the utmost professionalism. “I’ll see what’s about,” he would say to hopeful new hacks. He also did much to foster the interests of the Rugby Union Writers’ Club. Fittingly he served as its chairman in the Welsh Centenary season, was elected a life member and was the first chairman of the Welsh Rugby Writers’ Association.

                The only issue that vexed him was neutral officials. He had seen a New Zealander referee the All Blacks to a victory by six penalty goals to four tries against the Lions at Dunedin in the 1959 Test series and campaigned vigorously thereafter for neutrals to be appointed for major internationals overseas. He was equally trenchant in his criticisms of British referees who were lenient to visiting sides to this country. Sometimes he overstated the case and, understandably, his cause did not go down well in New Zealand.

                He retired in 1982, not because he wanted to but because he had reached the age of 65. He continued to contribute to the Western Mail and was awarded the MBE in recognition of his services to rugby in the 1984 New Year’s Honours List. It was the family support of his wife and three sons that made his career possible he always maintained. His wife Gwen died in 1985, shortly after accompanying him to Buckingham Palace to receive his award.



Aladdin's cave

JBG was plagued by ill-health in his later years. In April 1997, his treasure trove of rugby memorabilia went under the hammer at Phillips’ auction rooms in Cardiff, a touch-kick from the Arms Park. The remarkable run of cuttings dating back to the 1920s, programmes from an even earlier vintage and even the whistle from the famous 1905 Wales v New Zealand encounter were among the Aladdin’s Cave of items that fell under the hammer. He died a week later, a few days short of his 80^th birthday.

                John Billot, for the best part of 40 years his colleague, was among the many to pay generous tribute to JBG. “He was a compulsive worker and prolific purveyor of words. Working with him was an enlightening and frequently hilarious experience. With his cigar and flat cap he was, perhaps, the last of the great professional Welsh rugby-writing characters.”

end of  'Rugby's Man of a Million Words' - an appreciation by John Griffiths

Read about more Rugby Writers at www.world-rugby-museum.com

John Billot - Viv Jenkins - Old Stager - Wilf Wooller

My Dad and I, and collecting programmes

By Wayne Thomas

My father, JBG Thomas, the late Sports Editor of the Western Mail and author of numerous books on Rugby Union, was like a squirrel – he collected things and saved all his written material, and never threw anything away! This included his teenage years, his war service in the Royal Navy, and his many years of writing on sport! Hence old programmes, dinner cards (often with notes from the various speeches), books and newspaper cuttings filled the middle room (my dad’s so-called office) of the two storey Edwardian house in Plasturton Avenue , Cardiff , where I grew up. The excess was stored in a coal-dusted cellar below ground that was subject to the odd flood!

JBGs study

Often, as I grew through my autograph collecting years of the late Fifties and early Sixties (before I found girls), I would go and explore the Aladdin’s Cave, and read through old documents that bore the names of legends like Arthur Gould, Gwyn Nicholls, and Jack Bassett.

When I came to write my own book – A Century of Welsh Rugby Players – to commemorate the WRU Centenary in 1980/1, I had to retrace those steps and pore over what seemed like limitless material in that middle room searching for photographs, memoirs and history books. Frankly it was a labour of love, even if the holy grail of programme collecting – the 1905 Wales v New Zealand – was not amongst my dad’s collection. But instead, by being with my father on occasions, I did get to meet Rhys Gabe, Percy Bush, and Willie Llewellyn, along with many other luminaries of the game like Jack Manchester and Danie Craven.

I inherited my father’s older programmes – many were auctioned in the Nineties when he was forced to move to a smaller house due to health problems – but also I had been an avid collector in my tweenies and early teens along with my elder brother Craig (the distinguished techno-thriller writer of Firefox etc), albeit many obtained through my father who wrote and edited Welsh international programmes when they became glossy in the mid-fifties.

Transvaal v 1955 British Lions, with 'Craig' written to the right of the illustrated player

But of great interest in this sale will be the 1955 British Lions’ tour programmes, many of which are inscribed at the front top with the name of Wayne or Craig, showing to which brother they belonged! This was the first tour my father covered, along with his great friend Viv Jenkins of The Sunday Times, and where he started sending home all his written material and other memorabilia to be stored in Plasturton Avenue! Every other tour from then on would include a mountain of paper, leaflets, postcards, invitations and books despatched from the southern hemisphere. What a different world from the pressure-laden, cocooned, international only, jet visits that modern players are subjected to. No leisurely five and half months long sojourn through the backwaters of former colonies actually meeting people and soaking up the social and cultural mores of people who shared a collective past.

My memories of the 1955 tour started when I was at the General Station in Cardiff to see the Welsh players (Cliff Morgan et al) board a bus (wearing suits and collars and ties) for departure to Heathrow – there was a lengthy National Rail Strike on at the time, followed by my father’s less than glorious exit from South Wales sitting in the back of a newspaper delivery van bound for London with the capital’s copies of the Western Mail. But it was only a decade after the end of WW2 and such things were very acceptable to a more innocent, non-politically correct, zero Health and Safety-surrounded lifestyle!

Shortly after the tour began in Potchesfstroom, packages began to arrive bearing cuttings and programmes, and so international programme collecting began to come of age. Somehow the 1974 Lions collection survived the floods in the cellar, for alas the Taff and its former river bed under Plasturton Avenue destroyed the 1959, 62 and 66 material, along with my pristine complete set of programmes. The rust on the staples of the 55 Lions programmes bear evidence that they at least were on a higher ledge than the rest and just about survived.

I hope you have fun poring over these delicate artefacts, at least as much fun as I had waiting for the post to bring exotic envelopes bearing exotic stamps from unknown places in deepest Africa, as the Lions began the long haul to the glories of 1971 and 1974.

Wayne Thomas

JBG - THE FAMILY MAN

It is a testament of their good parenting that the children of JBG & Gwen went on to successful careers in their chosen fields.

Pictured at their eldest son Craig's wedding in 1967, from left to right

Wayne, Gwen, Gareth, Craig, JBG

THE CHILDREN OF JBG & GWEN THOMAS

CRAIG (b1942) - A highly acclaimed author with 18 published novels and various other works, his best known work 'Firefox' became a successful film tarring Clint Eastwood, he is credited as being one of the originators of the 'techno thriller' genre of writing.

WAYNE (b1946 ) - followed in Dad's footsteps, he regularly reported for a range of daily and Sunday newspapers in England and Scotland and wrote 'A Century of Welsh Rugby Players' to coincide with the Welsh Rugby Union Centenary. He lectured in business management for many years at Stirling University, York St John's and Brooklands College as well as being a partner in a private Management Development consultancy.

GARETH (1950 - 2007) - was capped by the Welsh Secondary Schools in the late sixties, before entering the RAF, where he featured regularly at Twickenham in the Inter-Services tournament. He played for numerous club and representative sides before turning to coaching, which he combined with teaching. Both his sons played first class rugby, with his younger boy, Stephen, being capped for Wales at Rugby League ! He is presently starring for Neath RFC.

THE MEMORABILIA OF JBG THOMAS

Rugby Relics have for sale several items from the collection of JBG Thomas, these items are featured below, this page is an 'information only' page, if you would like to purchase an item from the collection Please click on the link below to visit the JBG Thomas Historical Memorabilia page at Rugby Relics.
CLICK HERE

   or click on the links below to view some of the memorabilia of JBG Thomas

1955 BRITISH LIONS PROGRAMMES - 1974 BRITISH LIONS PROGRAMMES - AGE GROUP & REPRESENTATIVE PROGRAMMES - ANNUALS - AUTOGRAPHED ITEMS - AUTOGRAPHED PROGRAMMES - BARBARIANS & IRISH WOLFHOUNDS PROGRAMMES - BOOKS & PUBLICATIONS - CLUB PROGRAMMES - INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMES - IRISH PROVINCIAL PROGRAMMES - MISC CELEBRATION PROGRAMMES - OXFORD v CAMBRIDGE PROGRAMMES - SINGLE AUTOGRAPHS - STAMPS - TEAM PHOTOGRAPHS - TICKETS - TOURING TEAM PROGRAMMES TO UK - WELSH TRIAL PROGRAMMES

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMES

England v France 26 Feb 1955 Twickenham 16 - 9 spine slightly parted
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prenfr55

England v Ireland 13 Feb 1954 Twickenham 14 - 3 spine parted
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prenir54

England v Ireland 10 Feb 1962 Twickenham 16 - 0 single crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prenir62

England v New Zealand 30 Jan 1954 Twickenham 0 - 5 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prennz54

England v Scotland 16 Mar 1963 Twickenham 10 - 8 Excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prensc63

England v South Africa 5 Jan 1952 Twickenham 8 - 3 spine almost completely parted, small mark to front
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prensa52

England v Wales 19 Jan 1952 Twickenham
Grand Slam season for Wales
8 - 6 single crease down centre
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prenwa52

France v Wales 26 Mar 1949 Paris very slight crease otherwise excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prfrwa49

France v Wales 26 Mar 1955 Paris very good
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prfrwa55

France v Wales 23 Mar 1957 Paris excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prfrwa57

Ireland v England 12 Feb 1955 Dublin 6 - 6 very good
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-priren55

Ireland v France 22 Jan 1955 Dublin 3 - 5 Excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prirfr55

Ireland v Scotland 25 Feb 1956 Dublin very slight crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prirsc56

Ireland v Wales 11 Mar 1950 Belfast
Grand Slam season for Wales
slight crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prirwa50

Ireland v Wales 8 Mar 1952 Dublin
Grand Slam season for Wales
slight crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prirwa52

Ireland v Wales 13 Mar 1954 Dublin 9 - 12 some light creasing
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prirwa54

New Zealand v South Africa 1st Test 14 Jul 1956 Dunedin 10 - 6 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prnzsa56nz1

Scotland v England 20 Mar 1954 Murrayfield
Triple Crown season for England
3 - 13 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prscen54

Scotland v New Zealand 13 Feb 1954 Murrayfield 0 - 3 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prscnz54

Scotland v Wales 7 Feb 1959 Murrayfield 6 - 5 very good
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prscwa59

Scotland v Wales 11 Feb 1961 Murrayfield 3 - 0 2 small punched holes, slight crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prscwa61

Wales v Australia 12 Dec 1908 Cardiff slight crease, a couple of notations added by JBG in ballpoint - some very small crosses next to some photos, spine almost parted, Wallaby stats pasted to back cover.
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwaas08

Wales v England 20 Jan 1934 Cardiff 0 - 9 some staining to front cover
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwaen34

Wales v England 15 Jan 1938 Cardiff 14 - 8 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwaen38

Wales v England 21 Jan 1961 Cardiff 6 - 3 2 small holes & small mark to front cover
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwaen61

Wales v France 28 Feb 1931 Swansea some light staining to front cover
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prfrwa31

Wales v France 21 Feb 1948 Cardiff 11 - 3 very good
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwafr48

Wales v France 25 Mar 1950 Cardiff
GRAND SLAM MATCH
21 - 0 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwafr50

Wales v France 22 Mar 1952 Cardiff
GRAND SLAM MATCH
9 - 5 slight crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwafr52

Wales v France 24 Mar 1956 Cardiff 5 - 3 no front cover
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwafr56

Wales v France 29 Mar 1958 Cardiff 6 - 16 very good
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwafr58

Wales v France 24 Mar 1962 Cardiff 3 - 0 Excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwafr62

Wales v Ireland 10 Mar 1928 Cardiff 10 - 13
slight crease

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwair28

Wales v Ireland 12 Mar 1932 Cardiff very slight crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwair32

Wales v Ireland 14 Mar 1953 Swansea 5 - 3 small mark on the front
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwair53

Wales v Ireland 14 Mar 1959 Cardiff 8 - 6 Excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwair59

Wales v Japan 6 Oct 1973 Cardiff 62 - 14 writing on front
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwaja73

Wales v New Zealand
Reprint in 1981
16 Dec 1905 Cardiff 3 - 0 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwanz05rp

Wales v New Zealand
Souvenir issue

Reprint - date unknown
16 Dec 1905 Cardiff 3 - 0 creased
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwanz05rppi

Wales v Scotland 7 Feb 1931 Cardiff light creasing & pencil on front cover
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwasc31

Wales v Scotland 4 Feb 1950 Swansea
Grand Slam season for Wales
12 - 0 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwasc50

Wales v Scotland 2 Feb 1952 Cardiff
Grand Slam season for Wales
11 - 0 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwasc52

Wales v Scotland 10 Apr 1954 Swansea 15 - 3 very good
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwasc54

Wales v Scotland 3 Feb 1962 Cardiff 3 - 8 small piece missing from an inside page
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwasc62

Wales v South Africa 22 Dec 1951 Cardiff 3 - 6 very good
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwasa51

1955 BRITISH LIONS PROGRAMMES

SOUTH AFRICA
4th Test
24 Sep 1955 Port Elizabeth 8 - 22 rusty staples
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55sa4

Boland 13 Aug Wellington 11 - 0 very good
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-bol

Border 17 Sep East London 12 - 14 rusty staples - looks to have half of one of the inside pages missing.
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-bol

Central Universities
'official brochure'

includes teams
10 Aug Durban 21 - 14 'Craig' written on front otherwise excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-blbr55-cu

Central Universities
'official programme'
10 Aug Durban 21 - 14 small tear
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-cu

East Africa
(Additional match to original itinerary)
27 Sep Nairobi 39 - 12 rusty staple
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-ea

Combined Universities of Western Province
official souvenir programme
16 Aug Cape Town 20 - 17 rusty staple - 'Wayne' written on front
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55counof

Combined Universities of Western Province
official Western province programme
16 Aug Cape Town 20 - 17 crease across centre
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55coun-wp

Eastern Province 16 Jul Port Elizabeth 0 - 20 rusty staples, 'Craig' written on front,
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-ep

Eastern Transvaal 24 Aug Springs 17 - 17 rusty staples
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-et

Griqualand West 25 Jun Kimberley 24 - 14 rusty staples, large ink stain especially on the front and back covers, 'Craig' written on front
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-gr

Junior Springboks
official souvenir - opening of Free State Stadium
14 Sep Bloemfontein
84 pages
15 - 12 rusty staples, small tear to spine
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-blbr55-js

Junior Springboks
official Orange Free State programme
14 Sep Bloemfontein 15 - 12
very good, large format, single fold

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-blbr55-js

Natal
'official brochure'
10 Sep Durban 11 - 8 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-blbr55-na

North Eastern Districts 20 Jul Aliwal North 34 - 6 rusty staples, 'Craig' written on front
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-ned

Northern Transvaal 27 Aug Pretoria 14 - 11 very slight crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-nt

Northern Universities
official programme
29 Jun Jo'burg 32 - 6 rusty staples, 'Craig' written on front
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-nu-of

Northern Universities
Transvaal RU official programme
29 Jun Jo'burg 32 - 6 rusty staples, 'Craig' written on front
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-nu.tvl

Orange Free State 2 Jul Kroonstad 31 - 3 rusty staples
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-ofs

Rhodesia 27 Jul Nkana
88 pages
27 - 14 'craig' written on front, rusty staples, cover loose
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-rh1

Rhodesia 30 Jul Salisbury 16 - 12 'craig' written on front, rusty staples.
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-rh2

South West Africa 5 Jul Windhoek 9 - 0 folded
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-swa

South Western Districts 13 Jul Oudtshoorn 22 - 3 folding creases & rust mark
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-swd

Transvaal
official programme
23 Jul Jo'burg 36 - 13 rusty staples, 'craig' written on front cover
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-tvl

Western Province
official programme
9 Jul Cape Town 11 - 3 'craig' written on front cover
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-wpof

Western Province
official Western Province programme
9 Jul Cape Town 11 - 3 'craig' written on front cover, single crease across centre & some rust marks
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-wp.wp

Western Transvaal 22 Jun Potchefstroom   6 -   9 slight crease, rusty staples
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-wt

CLICK HERE

to buy JBG Thomas memorabilia at Rugby Relics

1974 BRITISH LIONS PROGRAMMES

SOUTH AFRICA
1st Test
8 Jun
1974 Cape Town 12 -   3 excellent - "1st test" written on front cover by JBG
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74sa1

SOUTH AFRICA
2nd Test
22 Jun
1974 Pretoria
Record score
28 - 9 Excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74sa2

Boland 22 May
1974 Wellington 33 -   6 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-bol

Border 17 Jul
1974 East London 26 -   6 JBG's initials of front cover, spine torn 2" (6cm)
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-bor

Eastern province 26 May
1974 Port Elizabeth 28 - 14 name on front cover
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-ep

Eastern Transvaal 23 Jul
1974 Springs 33 - 10 very good, small tear on spine
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-et

Griqualand West 3 Jul 69 - 16 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-gr

Natal 20 Jul
1974 Durban 34 - 6 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-nat

Northern Transvaal 6 Jul
1974 Pretoria 16 - 12 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-nt

Orange Free State 29 Jun
1974 Bloemfontein 11 -   9 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-ofs

SAR Federation XV - proteas 4 Jun
1974 Goodwood 37 -   6 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-pr

Quaggas 27 Jun
1974 Jo'burg 20 - 16 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-qu

Rhodesia 18 Jun Salisbury 42 -   6 very good
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-rh

Southern Universities 11 Jun
1974 Cape Town 26 -   4 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-su

SA Leopards 9 Jul Mdantsane 56 - 10 very good
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-lep

South West Africa 18 May
1974 Windhoek 23 - 16 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-swa

South Western Districts 29 May
1974 Mossel Bay
Record score for the Lions at the time
97 -   0 some creasing
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-swd

Transvaal 15 Jun Johannesburg 23 - 15 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-tvl

Western province 1 Jun
1974 Cape Town 17 -   8 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-wp

Western Transvaal 15 May
1974 Potchefstroom
JBG signature on front
59 - 13 Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-wt

BARBARIANS

Barbarians v Australia
1st match against a major touring team
31 Jan 1948 Cardiff very good
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbbas48

Barbarians v Australia 22 Feb 1958 Cardiff very good
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbbas58

Barbarians v New Zealand 20 Feb 1954 Cardiff very good
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbbnz54

Barbarians v South Africa 4 Feb 1961 Cardiff Excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbbsa61

Cardiff v Barbarians 16 Apr 1949 Cardiff excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbbwacb-cd49

Irish Wolfhounds v Oxford & Cambridge XV 13 Sep 1958 Lansdowne Rd excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbbir58-oxca

TOURING TEAM PROGRAMMES TO UK

Oxford University v Australia 9 Nov 1957 Oxford 6-12 single crease, very small tear
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtras57-ox

Swansea v New Zealand 28 Sep 1935 Swansea small rust mark to front, cover loose
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrnz35-sw

Cardiff v South Africa 21 Nov 1931 Cardiff
very good
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrsa31-cd

Cardiff v South Africa 29 Oct 1960 Cardiff 13-0 creased
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrsa60-cd

Ebbw Vale & Abertillery v South Africa 29 Nov 1960 Ebbw Vale 3-0 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrsa60-ev

NW Counties v South Africa 23 Nov 1960 Maine Rd, Manchester 11-0 very slight crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrsa60-nwc

Pontypool & Cross Keys v South Africa 2 Nov 1960 Pontypool 30-3 Excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrsa60-pl

Southern Counties v South Africa 22 Oct 1960 Hove 29-9 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrsa60so

South of Scotland v South Africa 19 Nov 1960 Hawick 19-3 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrsa60-ss

Swansea v South Africa 26 Nov 1960 Swansea 19-3 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrsa60-sw

Cardiff v South African Universities 9 Jan 1957 Cardiff some creasing
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrsann19570109

Pembrokeshire Secondary Schools v South African High Schools 25 Jan 1955 Tenby rusty staples
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrsann19550125

Welsh Secondary Schools v South African High Schools 12 Feb 1955 Newport rusty staples
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrsann19550212

East Wales Tonga 14 Sep Cardiff 'Wayne' on front
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrto73-ew

SEVENS PROGRAMMES

1952 Middlesex Sevens
guest teams Bristol, Neath

Winners - Wasps
rusty staples, single crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsben-mi52

1954 Middlesex Sevens
guest teams Bridgend, Instonians

Winners - Rosslyn Park
single crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsben-mi54

1956 Middlesex Sevens
Winners - London Welsh
single crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsben-mi56

1959 Middlesex Sevens
guest teams Leicester & Bristol.
excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsben-mi59

1960 Middlesex Sevens
Winners - London Scottish
excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsben-mi60

1955 Snelling Sevens
@ Newport
slight crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsbwa-sn55

1956 Snelling Sevens
@ Swansea.

Winners - Newport
slight crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsbwa-sn56

1958 Snelling Sevens
Winners - Ebbw Vale
small mark on front cover
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsbwa-sn58

1948 Public Schools Sevens
Old Deer Park
excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsbensh-pub

19 Apr 1958 Leinster Sevens
Lansdowne Rd
excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsbirpv-le58

AGE GROUP & REPRESENTATIVE PROGRAMMES

Wales 'B' v France 'B' 21 Oct 1972 'Wayne' on front
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-b-wafr72

England v Wales
(Schools senior international - under 19)
9 Apr 1960 Bristol Excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u19-enwa60

Wales v England
(Schools senior international - under 19)
10 Apr 1955 very good
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u19-waen55

Wales v France
(Schools senior international - under 19)
3 Apr 1948 Cardiff excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u19-wafr48

Wales v France
(Schools senior international - under 19)
24 Apr 1954 Cardiff very good
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u19-wafr56

Wales v France
(Schools senior international - under 19)
6 Apr 1956 Cardiff very good
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u19-wafr56

Wales Schools v Welsh Youth 20 Mar 1954 Cardiff slight crease across centre
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u19-wash-yth

Wales v England
(Schools international - under 16)
11 Mar 1950 Cardiff excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u16-waen50

Wales v England
(Schools international - under 16)
14 Apr 1951 Cardiff slight crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u16-waen51

Wales v England
(Schools international - under 16)
28 Feb 1953 slight crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u16-waen53

Wales v England
(Schools international - under 16)
19 Mar 1955 slight crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u16-waen55

Wales v Scotland Border Union
(Schools international - under 16)
9 Apr 1949 Cardiff slight crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u16-wasc49

Wales v South of Scotland
(Schools international - under 16)
6 Mar 1954 Cardiff very slight crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u19-wasosc54

Wales v Germany
Youth International
17 Mar 1956 Swansea rusty staples, slight crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-yth-wagy56

Scotland v Wales
Air Training Corps
4 Feb 1955 Goldenacre, Edinburgh good
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-atc-scwa55

WELSH TRIAL PROGRAMMES

Welsh Trial
Probables v Possibles
1 Nov 1947 Bridgend slight crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtawa19471101

Welsh Trial
Probables v Possibles
6 Dec 1947 Cardiff 15 - 5 very slight crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtawa19471206

Welsh Trial
Probables v Possibles
1 Jan 1949 Cardiff 3 - 3 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtawa19490101

Welsh Trial
Wales v The Rest
7 Jan 1950 Cardiff excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtawa19500107

Welsh Trial
Probables v Possibles
1 Jan 1955 Cardiff slight crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtawa19550101

OXFORD v CAMBRIDGE PROGRAMMES

Oxford v Cambridge 29 Nov 1947 Twickenham rusty staples
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prun-oxca47

Oxford v Cambridge 7 Dec 1948 Twickenham 14 - 8 worn
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prun-oxca48

Oxford v Cambridge 6 Dec 1949 Twickenham 3 - 0 creased & worn, Reg Pelling, SW Echo name on front
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prun-oxca49

Oxford v Cambridge 9 Dec 1952 Twickenham 5 - 6 rusty staples
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prun-oxca52

Oxford v Cambridge 6 Dec 1955 Twickenham 9 - 5 rusty staples
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prun-oxca55

Oxford v Cambridge 11 Dec 1956 Twickenham 9 - 14 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prun-oxca56

Oxford v Cambridge 10 Dec 1957 Twickenham 3 - 0 very slight crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prun-oxca57

Oxford v Cambridge 9 Dec 1958 Twickenham 6 - 17 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prun-oxca58

Oxford v Cambridge 8 Dec 1959 Twickenham 9 - 3 excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prun-oxca59

Oxford v Cambridge 6 Dec1960 Twickenham 0 - 13 'jonathan' on front cover
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prun-oxca60

Oxford v Cambridge 11 Dec 1962 Twickenham 14 - 0 name on front cover
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prun-oxca62

MISC CELEBRATION PROGRAMMES

Old Belvedere v Racing Club de France
Silver Jubilee celebration match - includes a short history of Old Belvedere
18 Sep 1955 Anglesea Rd, Dublin includes 3 French autographs in pencil, Vannier, Deveaud (faint) & Dufau
Very good

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prspir19550918

Combined Universities of Ireland v Rest of Ireland 18 Dec 1957 Lansdowne Rd excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prspir19571218

Irish Universities Past & Present XV v London Counties 9 Oct 1957 Lansdowne Rd excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prspir19571009

Leinster Trial 23 Oct 1957 Donnybrook excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prspir19571023

Leinster Trial 29 Oct 1958 Donnybrook excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prspir19581029

Cardiff v Rest of Wales
Official programme for the Gwyn Nicholls Memorial Fund match.
28 Apr 1949 Cardiff excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prspwa19490428

Cardiff v 1950 British Lions
40 page programme celebrating 75th anniversary of Cardiff RFC. many historical articles and photos
22 Sep 1951 Cardiff Excellent condition
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prspwa19510922xc

Bicentennial International Rugby Football Tournament.
Teams: Barbarians, BATS, Boston, Fylde, Gosforth, Moseley, New England, Rosslyn Park,
27 - 31 May 1976 Boston, Massachusetts, USA excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsptuus-bi76

IRISH PROVINCIAL PROGRAMMES

Connacht v Ulster 24 Nov 1955 Galway excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsppvir-co.ul55

Connacht v Ulster 26 Nov 1959 Galway Writing on front cover
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsppvir-co.ul59

Leinster v Munster 22 Nov 1958 Lansdowne Road Score on front cover
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsppvir-le.mu58

Leinster v Ulster 16 Nov 1957 Lansdowne Road Score on front cover
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsppvir-le.ul57

Munster v Leinster 9 Nov 1957 Musgrave Park Tear on spine
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsppvir-mu.le57

Munster v Leinster 28 Nov 1959 Musgrave Park Tear on spine
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsppvir-mu.le59

Ulster XV v Duke of Wellingtons 30 Sep 1959 Ravenhill Staple Rust on Cover
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsppvir-ul.du59

Ulster v Lancashire 11 Oct 1958 Ravenhill Staple Rust on Spine
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsppvir-ul.la58

Ulster v Leinster 13 Dec 1958 Ravenhill Staple Rust on Spine
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsppvir-ul.le58

Ulster v Yorkshire County 24 Oct 1959 Ravenhill Staple Rust on Cover
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsppvir-ul.yo59

CLICK HERE

to buy JBG Thomas memorabilia at Rugby Relics

CLUB PROGRAMMES

Bective Rangers v Cardiff 18 Nov 1957 Donnybrook Excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prircb-br19571118

Bective Rangers v Leicester 15 Nov 1958 Donnybrook Small rust stain
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prircb-br19581115

Bective Rangers v Monkstown
Old Belvedere v Wanderers

Leinster Cup - probably semi-finals
17 Mar 1958 Lansdowne Road Small rust stains
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prircb-br19580317

Lansdowne v Dublin University
Wanderers v Blackrock
Leinster Cup - probably semi-finals
04 Apr 1959 Lansdowne Road Small rust stain
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prircb-la19590404

Cardiff v France Centre 07 Sept 1957 Cardiff Arms Park Good
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-ca19570907

Cardiff v Gloucester 28 Apr 1948 Cardiff Arms Park Rusty staple
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19480428

Cardiff v London Welsh 22 Nov 1947 Cardiff Arms Park Rusty staple
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19471122

Cardiff v Newport 10 Apr 1948 Cardiff Arms Park Rusty staple
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19480410

Cardiff v Newport 17 Mar 1954 Cardiff Arms Park Rusty staple
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19540317

Cardiff v Newport 13 Nov 1954 Cardiff Arms Park Rusty staple
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19541113

Cardiff v Newport 05 Mar 1955 Cardiff Arms Park Rusty staple and slight tear on spine
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19550305

Cardiff v Newport 10 Nov 1956 Cardiff Arms Park Rusty staple
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19561110

Cardiff v Newport 02 Mar 1957 Cardiff Arms Park Rusty staple
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19570302

Cardiff v Stades Nantais U.C. and U.S. Congnacaise Teams 20 Sept 1947 Cardiff Arms Park Rusty staple
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19470920

Cardiff v Swansea 18 Oct 1947 Cardiff Arms Park Rusty staple
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19471018

Cardiff v Wasps 26 Dec 1949 Cardiff Arms Park Rusty staple
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19491226

Cardiff veterans v Stade Nantais U.C. Veterans 26 Dec 1952 Cardiff Arms Park Creased corner
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19521226

Gloucester v Cardiff 26 Feb 1949 Kingsholm Excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prencb-gl19490226

Harlequins v Rosslyn Park 27 Oct 1956 White City Stadium Rusted staples
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-ha19561027

Leicester v Birkenhead Park 27 Dec 1958 Leicester Rusty staple
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prencb-le19581227

Newport v Llanelly 09 Jan 1954 Newport Folded corner on cover
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-np19540109

Newport v Cardiff 19 Feb 1955 Newport Staple rust on spine
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-np19550219

Newport v Ebbw Vale 21 Apr 1956 Newport Staple rust on spine
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-np19560421

Newport v Neath 15 Sept 1956 Newport Staple rust on spine
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-np19560915

Newport v Swansea 04 Sept 1954 Newport Staple rust on spine
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-np19540409

Old Belvedere v Aberavon 05 Oct 1957 Anglesey Road Excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-ob19571005

Old Belvedere v Bristol 15 Feb 1959 Anglesey Road Excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-ob19590215

Old Belvedere v Leicester 16 Nov 1958 Anglesey Road Excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-ob19581116

Old Belvedere v Wasps 27 Oct 1957 Anglesey Road Excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-ob19571027

Pontypool v Ebbw Vale 31 Dec 1955 Pontypool Slight corner fold
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-pl19551231

Stade Nantais U.C. v Cardiff 02 Jan 1950 Nantes Writing on cover and middle pages
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prfrcb-sn19500202

U.S. Cognaçaise v Cardiff 31 Dec 1949 Cognac Single crease
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prfrcb-co194912313

Wanderers v Coventry 12 Oct 1957 Lansdowne Road Excellent
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prircb-wa19571012

ANNUALS

Playfair Annual 1957/58 - JBG signature to the front cover.
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr57/58

1958/59 Playfair Annual - JBG signature to front cover, includes a personal letter from Neville Walsh of Crawshay's Welsh RFC tucked inside.
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr58/59

1959/60 Playfair Annual - JBG signature to front cover, a well thumbed and worn copy
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr1959/60

1960/61 Playfair Annual - JBG signature to front cover, a well thumbed and worn copy
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr60/61

1961/62 Playfair Annual - very good condition
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr61/62

1962/63 Playfair Annual - JBG signature to front cover, a well thumbed and worn copy
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr1962/63

1963/64 Playfair Annual - JBG signature to front cover and first page, top right hand corner missing, tape repairs, a well thumbed and worn copy
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr63/64

1964/5 Playfair Annual - very good condition
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr1964/5

1965/66 Playfair Annual - a well thumbed and worn copy with some tape repairs
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr1965/66

1966/67 Playfair Annual - a well thumbed and worn copy.
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr1966/67

1967/68 Playfair Annual - a well thumbed and worn copy.
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr1967/68

1969/70 Playfair Annual - JBG signature on inside page - a worn copy
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr69/70

1971/72 Playfair Annual - JBG signature on inside page - good condition
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr71/72

1972/73 Playfair Annual - JBG signature on front cover - good condition
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr72/73

1935/6 Irish Rugby Annual, the spine has small tears at the top and bottom, rusty staples
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anir1935-6

1959 Pall Mall Rugby Almanack - including a preview of the 1959 Lions tour of NZ
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-annz-rpm59

1970/71 Welsh Brewers Rugby Annual for Wales
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anwa70-71

1994/95 Welsh Brewers Rugby Annual for Wales
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anwa94-5

1995/96 Welsh Brewers Rugby Annual for Wales
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anwa95-96

1949 - South Wales Rugger Souvenir - pub by Findon, edited by Emrys Evans
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anwa1949-rugger

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BOOKS & PUBLICATIONS

BRITAIN'S FINEST LIONS with Lindsay Knight - a post tour 128 page booklet, containing match by match reports and photos of the 1971 British Lions tour, published by The Dominion and Sunday Times
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-blbr71-lk

THE MAGNIFICENT LIONS - Western Mail & Echo post tour publication. A 24 page large newspaper supplement containing the complete tour record - in excellent condition. Written and edited by JBG
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-npbr71-wme

WESTERN MAIL - Pre and post tour 1974 Lions supplements. the pre-tour supp. is 8 pages, the post tour is 10 pages including a complete statistical run down, team line ups etc. Both are broadsheet publications in good condition, both are written and edited by JBG.
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-npstbr74-wm

WESTERN MAIL - post tour 1974 Lions supplement, 10 pages including a complete statistical run down, team line ups etc. In good condition, mostly written and edited by JBG
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-npbr74-wm2

1974 Lions THIRD TEST PREVIEW - A rare South African newspaper preview of the 1974 3rd test. the text is in Afrikaans. 32 pages. contains match reports & photos of matches up to the 3rd Test. Some light creasing to the top edge but overall this newspaper is in good condition
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-npbr74uk-3T

Scope Special Rugby Supplement "World Champions", 12 page colour supplement covering the third test victory, full colour throughout, some great photos. In excellent condition
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-br74bl-scwch

South Africa v Great Britain - In the Union wall chart compiled and presented by the Atlantic refining Company of Africa (Pty) Ltd on the occasion of the visit to South Africa by the 1955 British Rugby team. Features photos of Springbok teams from each of the previous test series in S Africa 1891, 1896, 1903, 1910, 1924 & 1938 with a full list of results from the test matches of these tours. Total size 57cm x 45cm (22" x 17") folded into 4, very good condition
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-psbr55-atlantic

"Follow the Lions" with Piet Greyling & Cliff Morgan. 48 page brochure published by J Samuel. Pre tour, including pictures and details of both Lions and Springboks, histories of opponents, directions and maps to the grounds,  In excellent condition
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-blbr74-pg

All Blacks to British Isles & France 1924/5

"The Triumphant Tour" pub by LT Watkins

A very good detailed post tour book with individual match reports and photos, a second-hand paperback with some minor loss to the top and the bottom of the spine.

1st Edition 1925

Pages 176

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-pbtrnz24-ltw

All Blacks to British Isles & France 1935/6

"The Tour of the Third All Blacks 1935" by Oliver & Tindall

story of this tour by two of the All Black players, a second-hand soft cover, minor tearing and creasing to the front cover, about 1" (3cm) of spine lost from the top and the bottom, cover loose

1st Edition 1936 Pages 200 Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-pbtrnz35-cjo

All Blacks to British Isles & France 1953/4

"All Black Tours 1953-54" edited by Syd Nicholls published by Graham Beamish

A booklet previewing the tour, features details of all previous All Black tours. Some interesting articles, especially towards the end of the booklet with chapters selecting the 'World's Best XV', the Four Home Countries Best XV and a debate over which is the greatest side to have ever played, a second-hand booklet in good condition

published in 1953

Pages 80

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-bltrnz53-sn

"A souvenir Book of Scotland versus England Services Rugby Matches 1942-1945" - published by RW Forsyth

Scotland v England wartime programmes bound into a single volume, a second-hand hardback with illustrated boards

published in 1946 pages: approx 40 Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-bkhiscprsv45

RANFURLY SHIELD
"The Record of Ranfurly Shield Rugby 1902 - 1930" by AH CARMAN

a second-hand booklet in good condition

1st Edition: 1930 Pages: 32 Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-blhirs30


RUGGER RHYMES - by T.H.E. Baillie

RUGGER RHYMES - by T.H.E. Baillie, illustrated by Leo Munro. A nicely illustrated soft back book with illustrations taken from 'The illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News'. The date of publication is unknown, we have found Leo Munro illustrations in the above publication dated 1905.The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News changed it's name to 'Country Life' in 1945 so the date of publication can be assumed to be in the period 1900 - 1945. This is a previously unknown publication which does not appear in the Dave McLaren or John Jenkins rugby bibliographies. It is therefore an extremely rare book. This particular copy has 'review copy' stamped on the title page with a name which looks to be 'Arthur Shipham' written on the front, There are a couple of nicks and tears on the spine. We would scan some of the illustrations but the binding is very tight and damage would occur so please excuse the quality of the photos.

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-pb-rugger-rhymes

"Wales, World Cup ‘91" The official Team Souvenir Magazine, a Welsh supporters guide, 72pp, good quality guide with nice articles. This booklet comes together with a set of A4 official press release containing post-match statistics for every match bar the final and a statistics sheet for the Welsh squad.
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-blwc91wagp2

TICKETS

British Lions v South Africa
1st Test
6 Aug 1955 Jo'burg 23 - 22 very good
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-tkbr55sa1

British Lions v South Africa
1st Test

Press Box ticket with turnstile ticket attached
8 Jun 1974 Cape Town
Western mail & Bryn Thomas written into dedicated spaces
small corner missing, folded
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-tkbr55sa1

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STAMPS

1964 South African jubilee, set of 2 mint stamps on loose page from stamp album - possibly hinged
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-sgsa64st

TEAM PHOTOGRAPHS

NZ Kiwis 1945/6 touring team official squad photograph as issued to the players. The team captained by Major Charlie Saxton played 33 matches winning 29, losing 2 with 2 matches drawn. The team is regarded by many as a full strength All Black side.
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-phnz45-6

British Lions 1959 official squad photograph as issued to the players. captained by Ronnie Dawson, the team included such greats as Tony O'Reilly, RH Williams, Andy Mulligan, Dickie Jeeps, Ken Scotland, Syd Millar & Ray Prosser.
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-phbr59

AUTOGRAPHED ITEMS

Two autograph books containing mostly autographs from the 1955 & 1959 British Lions tours.
Book 1 - 1955 Lions - The buff coloured book illustrated right contains many of the Lions, one autograph per page, these autographs were collected by JBG for his son Wayne on the tour. Single autograph pages include Cliff Morgan, Jeff Butterfield, Bryn Meredith, Gareth Griffiths, Arthur Smith, Russell Robins, Tony O'Reilly, Trevor Lloyd & Robin Thompson. two of the pages contain multiple Lions autographs (20 + 9) with some duplicates from the single autograph pages. An unusual addition to this book are the autographs from the 1957-8 World Cross Country Championships. There are 32 athletes signatures in total including Basil Heatley (England) twice, David 'DJP' Richards (Wales) & John Merriman of Wales who was to later endear himself to the Welsh public by winning a silver medal in the 6 miles at the 1958 Empire Games in Cardiff. Approx 90 autos in total.

Book 2 - 1959 Lions and other rugby players - there are several single autograph pages in this miniature book, these include David Marques, Norman Bruce, Andy Mulligan, Cecil Pedlow, Hugh McLeod, Dickie Jeeps, Malcolm Thomas, Arthur Smith, Ronnie Dawson, RH Williams, Cliff Morgan. Approx 25 autos in total.

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-aubkgp2

A handwritten letter to JBG from 1962 British Lion Tony O'Connor. The Aberavon & Wales scrum half is responding to JBG's congratulatory letter on his selection for the tour.
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-aultbr62-toc

SINGLE AUTOGRAPHS

Dewi Bebb autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2")
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-db

W Roddy Evans autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2")
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-wre

Des Greenslade autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2")
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-dg

D Ken Jones autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2")
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-dkj

Bryn Meredith autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2")
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-bm

Haydn Morgan autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2")
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-hm

Dave Nash autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2")
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-dn

Tony O'Connor autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2")
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-toc

Alun Pask autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2")
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-ap

Brian Price autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2")
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-bp

Alan Rees autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2")
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-ar

Keith Rowlands autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2")
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-kr

Lloyd Williams autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2")
Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-lw

AUTOGRAPHED PROGRAMMES

A collection of programmes that have been autographed, the signatures were collected by Wayne before and after matches whilst accompanying his dad.

England v France 1957 - GRAND SLAM SEASON FOR ENGLAND

Signed by RM Bartlett, E Evans, GW Hastings, RWD Marques, PGD Robbins of England, and M Vannier, J Bouquet, J Dupuy, A Domenech, M Celaya of France

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprenfr57

England v Ireland 1956

Signed by DL Sanders, E Evans, RWD Marques, A Ashcroft, VG Roberts of England, and AA Mulligan of Ireland

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprenir56

England v Scotland 1955

Signed by GW Hastings of England, and RWT Chisholm, JWY Kemp, A Robinson of Scotland

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprensc55

England v Scotland 1957 - GRAND SLAM MATCH FOR ENGLAND

Signed by RM Bartlett, Eric Evans (captain), GW Hastings, RWD Marques, PGD Robbins of England, and KJF Scotland, GH Waddell, A Robinson of Scotland

**** England won this match 16-3 to record their 7th Grand Slam. ****

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprensc57

Ireland v England 1957 - GRAND SLAM SEASON FOR ENGLAND

Signed by AA Mulligan, BG Wood of Ireland, and RM Bartlett, Eric Evans (Captain), GW Hastings, RWD Marques, PGD Robins

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-aupriren57

Ireland v France 1957

Signed by AA Mulligan of Ireland, and M Vannier, J Dupuy, A Domenech, M Celaya of France

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprirfr57

Ireland v Wales 1956

Signed by CL Davies, MC Thomas, HP Morgan, KJ Jones, CI Morgan, DO Brace, B Meredith, B Sparks, LH Jenkins of Wales

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprirwa56

Scotland v France 1956

Signed by RWT Chisholm, ML Grant of Scotland

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprscfr56

Scotland v Ireland 1955

Signed by AR Smith, A Robinson of Scotland, and D McSweeney

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprscir55

Scotland v Wales 1955

Signed by A Robinson of Scotland, and AB Edwards, KJ Jones, G Wells, A Thomas, C Morgan, R Robins, JRG Stephens of Wales

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprscwa55

Scotland v Wales 1957

Signed by KJF Scotland, JWY Kemp, A Robinson of Scotland, and MC Thomas, GM Griffiths, KJ Jones, GI Morgan, L Williams, BV Meredith, JRG Stephens, KJ Robins, B Sparks of Wales

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprscwa57

Wales v International XV 1957 - Empire Games Fundraising Match

Signed by TE Davies, C Davies, G Powell, G Wells, CI Morgan, L Williams, BV Meredith, JRG Stephens, RJ Robins of Wales, and RM Bartlett, E Evans, RWD Marques of International XV

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprwa-int57

Wales v England 1955

Signed by KJ Jones, G Wells, BL Williams, C Morgan, JRG Stephens, R Robins, B Sparkes of Wales, and JE Williams and DGS Baker of England

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprwaen55

Wales v England 1957 - GRAND SLAM SEASON FOR ENGLAND

Signed by GM Griffiths, MC Thomas, CI Morgan, DO Brace, BV Meredith, R Prosser, JRG Stephens, R O'Connor, R Robins, RCC Thomas of Wales and RM Bartlett, Eric Evans, GW Hastings, RWD Marques, PGD Robbins of England

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprwaen57

Wales v France 1956

Signed by KJ Jones, HP Morgan, MC Thomas, CL Davies, CI Morgan, DO Brace, B Meredith, LH Jenkins, JRG Stephens, CD Williams, R Robins, G Whitson of Wales

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprwafr56

Wales v Ireland 1955

Signed by KJ Jones, A Thomas, G Griffiths, H Morris, C Morgan, W R Willis, R Robins, JRG Stephens of Wales

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprwair55

Wales v Ireland 1957

Signed by TE Davies, C Davies, G Powell, G Wells, CI Morgan, L Williams, BV Meredith, JRG Stephens, RJ Robins, J Faull of Wales, and AA Mulligan, BG Wood, PJ O'Sullivan of Ireland

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprwair57

Wales v Ireland 1959

Signed by G Ashton, R Prosser, BV Meredith, J Faull, DJE Harris of Wales

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprwair59

Wales v Scotland 1956

Signed by CL Davies, MC Thomas, KJ Jones, HP Morgan, B Meredith, DO Brace, CI Morgan, R Prosser, RCC Thomas, LH Jenkins, B Sparks of Wales, and RWT Chisholm, ML Grant of Scotland

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprwasc56

Canada v Combined Bridgend and Maesteg XV

Signed by MB McAlpine, DJ O'Neil, JM Ward of Canada

Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprtrca62-bm

END OF COLLECTION

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CREDITS

Many thanks to the following people who have helped with the story of 'JBG Thomas'

John Griffiths

Wayne Thomas

Dai Richards & Dale Thomas (World Rugby Museum)

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England v France	26 Feb 1955	Twickenham	16 - 9	spine slightly parted Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prenfr55
England v Ireland	13 Feb 1954	Twickenham	14 - 3	spine parted Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prenir54
England v Ireland	10 Feb 1962	Twickenham	16 - 0	single crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prenir62
England v New Zealand	30 Jan 1954	Twickenham	0 - 5	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prennz54
England v Scotland	16 Mar 1963	Twickenham	10 - 8	Excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prensc63
England v South Africa	5 Jan 1952	Twickenham	8 - 3	spine almost completely parted, small mark to front Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prensa52
England v Wales	19 Jan 1952	Twickenham Grand Slam season for Wales	8 - 6	single crease down centre Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prenwa52
France v Wales	26 Mar 1949	Paris		very slight crease otherwise excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prfrwa49
France v Wales	26 Mar 1955	Paris		very good Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prfrwa55
France v Wales	23 Mar 1957	Paris		excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prfrwa57
Ireland v England	12 Feb 1955	Dublin	6 - 6	very good Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-priren55
Ireland v France	22 Jan 1955	Dublin	3 - 5	Excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prirfr55
Ireland v Scotland	25 Feb 1956	Dublin		very slight crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prirsc56
Ireland v Wales	11 Mar 1950	Belfast Grand Slam season for Wales		slight crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prirwa50
Ireland v Wales	8 Mar 1952	Dublin Grand Slam season for Wales		slight crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prirwa52
Ireland v Wales	13 Mar 1954	Dublin	9 - 12	some light creasing Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prirwa54
New Zealand v South Africa 1st Test	14 Jul 1956	Dunedin	10 - 6	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prnzsa56nz1
Scotland v England	20 Mar 1954	Murrayfield Triple Crown season for England	3 - 13	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prscen54
Scotland v New Zealand	13 Feb 1954	Murrayfield	0 - 3	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prscnz54
Scotland v Wales	7 Feb 1959	Murrayfield	6 - 5	very good Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prscwa59
Scotland v Wales	11 Feb 1961	Murrayfield	3 - 0	2 small punched holes, slight crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prscwa61
Wales v Australia	12 Dec 1908	Cardiff		slight crease, a couple of notations added by JBG in ballpoint - some very small crosses next to some photos, spine almost parted, Wallaby stats pasted to back cover. Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwaas08
Wales v England	20 Jan 1934	Cardiff	0 - 9	some staining to front cover Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwaen34
Wales v England	15 Jan 1938	Cardiff	14 - 8	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwaen38
Wales v England	21 Jan 1961	Cardiff	6 - 3	2 small holes & small mark to front cover Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwaen61
Wales v France	28 Feb 1931	Swansea		some light staining to front cover Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prfrwa31
Wales v France	21 Feb 1948	Cardiff	11 - 3	very good Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwafr48
Wales v France	25 Mar 1950	Cardiff GRAND SLAM MATCH	21 - 0	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwafr50
Wales v France	22 Mar 1952	Cardiff GRAND SLAM MATCH	9 - 5	slight crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwafr52
Wales v France	24 Mar 1956	Cardiff	5 - 3	no front cover Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwafr56
Wales v France	29 Mar 1958	Cardiff	6 - 16	very good Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwafr58
Wales v France	24 Mar 1962	Cardiff	3 - 0	Excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwafr62
Wales v Ireland	10 Mar 1928	Cardiff	10 - 13	slight crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwair28
Wales v Ireland	12 Mar 1932	Cardiff		very slight crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwair32
Wales v Ireland	14 Mar 1953	Swansea	5 - 3	small mark on the front Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwair53
Wales v Ireland	14 Mar 1959	Cardiff	8 - 6	Excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwair59
Wales v Japan	6 Oct 1973	Cardiff	62 - 14	writing on front Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwaja73
Wales v New Zealand Reprint in 1981	16 Dec 1905	Cardiff	3 - 0	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwanz05rp
Wales v New Zealand Souvenir issue Reprint - date unknown	16 Dec 1905	Cardiff	3 - 0	creased Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwanz05rppi
Wales v Scotland	7 Feb 1931	Cardiff		light creasing & pencil on front cover Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwasc31
Wales v Scotland	4 Feb 1950	Swansea Grand Slam season for Wales	12 - 0	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwasc50
Wales v Scotland	2 Feb 1952	Cardiff Grand Slam season for Wales	11 - 0	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwasc52
Wales v Scotland	10 Apr 1954	Swansea	15 - 3	very good Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwasc54
Wales v Scotland	3 Feb 1962	Cardiff	3 - 8	small piece missing from an inside page Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwasc62
Wales v South Africa	22 Dec 1951	Cardiff	3 - 6	very good Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwasa51

SOUTH AFRICA 4th Test	24 Sep 1955	Port Elizabeth	8 - 22	rusty staples Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55sa4
Boland	13 Aug	Wellington	11 - 0	very good Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-bol
Border	17 Sep	East London	12 - 14	rusty staples - looks to have half of one of the inside pages missing. Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-bol
Central Universities 'official brochure' includes teams	10 Aug	Durban	21 - 14	'Craig' written on front otherwise excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-blbr55-cu
Central Universities 'official programme'	10 Aug	Durban	21 - 14	small tear Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-cu
East Africa (Additional match to original itinerary)	27 Sep	Nairobi	39 - 12	rusty staple Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-ea
Combined Universities of Western Province official souvenir programme	16 Aug	Cape Town	20 - 17	rusty staple - 'Wayne' written on front Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55counof
Combined Universities of Western Province official Western province programme	16 Aug	Cape Town	20 - 17	crease across centre Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55coun-wp
Eastern Province	16 Jul	Port Elizabeth	0 - 20	rusty staples, 'Craig' written on front, Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-ep
Eastern Transvaal	24 Aug	Springs	17 - 17	rusty staples Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-et
Griqualand West	25 Jun	Kimberley	24 - 14	rusty staples, large ink stain especially on the front and back covers, 'Craig' written on front Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-gr
Junior Springboks official souvenir - opening of Free State Stadium	14 Sep	Bloemfontein 84 pages	15 - 12	rusty staples, small tear to spine Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-blbr55-js
Junior Springboks official Orange Free State programme	14 Sep	Bloemfontein	15 - 12	very good, large format, single fold Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-blbr55-js
Natal 'official brochure'	10 Sep	Durban	11 - 8	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-blbr55-na
North Eastern Districts	20 Jul	Aliwal North	34 - 6	rusty staples, 'Craig' written on front Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-ned
Northern Transvaal	27 Aug	Pretoria	14 - 11	very slight crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-nt
Northern Universities official programme	29 Jun	Jo'burg	32 - 6	rusty staples, 'Craig' written on front Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-nu-of
Northern Universities Transvaal RU official programme	29 Jun	Jo'burg	32 - 6	rusty staples, 'Craig' written on front Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-nu.tvl
Orange Free State	2 Jul	Kroonstad	31 - 3	rusty staples Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-ofs
Rhodesia	27 Jul	Nkana 88 pages	27 - 14	'craig' written on front, rusty staples, cover loose Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-rh1
Rhodesia	30 Jul	Salisbury	16 - 12	'craig' written on front, rusty staples. Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-rh2
South West Africa	5 Jul	Windhoek	9 - 0	folded Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-swa
South Western Districts	13 Jul	Oudtshoorn	22 - 3	folding creases & rust mark Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-swd
Transvaal official programme	23 Jul	Jo'burg	36 - 13	rusty staples, 'craig' written on front cover Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-tvl
Western Province official programme	9 Jul	Cape Town	11 - 3	'craig' written on front cover Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-wpof
Western Province official Western Province programme	9 Jul	Cape Town	11 - 3	'craig' written on front cover, single crease across centre & some rust marks Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-wp.wp
Western Transvaal	22 Jun	Potchefstroom	6 - 9	slight crease, rusty staples Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr55-wt

SOUTH AFRICA 1st Test	8 Jun 1974	Cape Town	12 - 3	excellent - "1st test" written on front cover by JBG Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74sa1
SOUTH AFRICA 2nd Test	22 Jun 1974	Pretoria Record score	28 - 9	Excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74sa2
Boland	22 May 1974	Wellington	33 - 6	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-bol
Border	17 Jul 1974	East London	26 - 6	JBG's initials of front cover, spine torn 2" (6cm) Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-bor
Eastern province	26 May 1974	Port Elizabeth	28 - 14	name on front cover Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-ep
Eastern Transvaal	23 Jul 1974	Springs	33 - 10	very good, small tear on spine Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-et
Griqualand West	3 Jul		69 - 16	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-gr
Natal	20 Jul 1974	Durban	34 - 6	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-nat
Northern Transvaal	6 Jul 1974	Pretoria	16 - 12	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-nt
Orange Free State	29 Jun 1974	Bloemfontein	11 - 9	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-ofs
SAR Federation XV - proteas	4 Jun 1974	Goodwood	37 - 6	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-pr
Quaggas	27 Jun 1974	Jo'burg	20 - 16	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-qu
Rhodesia	18 Jun	Salisbury	42 - 6	very good Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-rh
Southern Universities	11 Jun 1974	Cape Town	26 - 4	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-su
SA Leopards	9 Jul	Mdantsane	56 - 10	very good Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-lep
South West Africa	18 May 1974	Windhoek	23 - 16	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-swa
South Western Districts	29 May 1974	Mossel Bay Record score for the Lions at the time	97 - 0	some creasing Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-swd
Transvaal	15 Jun	Johannesburg	23 - 15	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-tvl
Western province	1 Jun 1974	Cape Town	17 - 8	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-wp
Western Transvaal	15 May 1974	Potchefstroom JBG signature on front	59 - 13	Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbr74-wt

Barbarians v Australia 1st match against a major touring team	31 Jan 1948	Cardiff	very good Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbbas48
Barbarians v Australia	22 Feb 1958	Cardiff	very good Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbbas58
Barbarians v New Zealand	20 Feb 1954	Cardiff	very good Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbbnz54
Barbarians v South Africa	4 Feb 1961	Cardiff	Excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbbsa61
Cardiff v Barbarians	16 Apr 1949	Cardiff	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prbbwacb-cd49

Oxford University v Australia	9 Nov 1957	Oxford	6-12	single crease, very small tear Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtras57-ox
Swansea v New Zealand	28 Sep 1935	Swansea		small rust mark to front, cover loose Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrnz35-sw
Cardiff v South Africa	21 Nov 1931	Cardiff		very good Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrsa31-cd
Cardiff v South Africa	29 Oct 1960	Cardiff	13-0	creased Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrsa60-cd
Ebbw Vale & Abertillery v South Africa	29 Nov 1960	Ebbw Vale	3-0	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrsa60-ev
NW Counties v South Africa	23 Nov 1960	Maine Rd, Manchester	11-0	very slight crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrsa60-nwc
Pontypool & Cross Keys v South Africa	2 Nov 1960	Pontypool	30-3	Excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrsa60-pl
Southern Counties v South Africa	22 Oct 1960	Hove	29-9	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrsa60so
South of Scotland v South Africa	19 Nov 1960	Hawick	19-3	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrsa60-ss
Swansea v South Africa	26 Nov 1960	Swansea	19-3	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrsa60-sw
Cardiff v South African Universities	9 Jan 1957	Cardiff		some creasing Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrsann19570109
Pembrokeshire Secondary Schools v South African High Schools	25 Jan 1955	Tenby		rusty staples Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrsann19550125
Welsh Secondary Schools v South African High Schools	12 Feb 1955	Newport		rusty staples Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrsann19550212
East Wales Tonga	14 Sep	Cardiff		'Wayne' on front Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtrto73-ew

1952	Middlesex Sevens guest teams Bristol, Neath Winners - Wasps	rusty staples, single crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsben-mi52
1954	Middlesex Sevens guest teams Bridgend, Instonians Winners - Rosslyn Park	single crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsben-mi54
1956	Middlesex Sevens Winners - London Welsh	single crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsben-mi56
1959	Middlesex Sevens guest teams Leicester & Bristol.	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsben-mi59
1960	Middlesex Sevens Winners - London Scottish	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsben-mi60
1955	Snelling Sevens @ Newport	slight crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsbwa-sn55
1956	Snelling Sevens @ Swansea. Winners - Newport	slight crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsbwa-sn56
1958	Snelling Sevens Winners - Ebbw Vale	small mark on front cover Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsbwa-sn58
1948	Public Schools Sevens Old Deer Park	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsbensh-pub
19 Apr 1958	Leinster Sevens Lansdowne Rd	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsbirpv-le58

Wales 'B' v France 'B'	21 Oct 1972		'Wayne' on front Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-b-wafr72
England v Wales (Schools senior international - under 19)	9 Apr 1960	Bristol	Excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u19-enwa60
Wales v England (Schools senior international - under 19)	10 Apr 1955		very good Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u19-waen55
Wales v France (Schools senior international - under 19)	3 Apr 1948	Cardiff	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u19-wafr48
Wales v France (Schools senior international - under 19)	24 Apr 1954	Cardiff	very good Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u19-wafr56
Wales v France (Schools senior international - under 19)	6 Apr 1956	Cardiff	very good Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u19-wafr56
Wales Schools v Welsh Youth	20 Mar 1954	Cardiff	slight crease across centre Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u19-wash-yth
Wales v England (Schools international - under 16)	11 Mar 1950	Cardiff	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u16-waen50
Wales v England (Schools international - under 16)	14 Apr 1951	Cardiff	slight crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u16-waen51
Wales v England (Schools international - under 16)	28 Feb 1953		slight crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u16-waen53
Wales v England (Schools international - under 16)	19 Mar 1955		slight crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u16-waen55
Wales v Scotland Border Union (Schools international - under 16)	9 Apr 1949	Cardiff	slight crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u16-wasc49
Wales v South of Scotland (Schools international - under 16)	6 Mar 1954	Cardiff	very slight crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-u19-wasosc54
Wales v Germany Youth International	17 Mar 1956	Swansea	rusty staples, slight crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-yth-wagy56
Scotland v Wales Air Training Corps	4 Feb 1955	Goldenacre, Edinburgh	good Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prag-atc-scwa55

Welsh Trial Probables v Possibles	1 Nov 1947	Bridgend		slight crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtawa19471101
Welsh Trial Probables v Possibles	6 Dec 1947	Cardiff	15 - 5	very slight crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtawa19471206
Welsh Trial Probables v Possibles	1 Jan 1949	Cardiff	3 - 3	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtawa19490101
Welsh Trial Wales v The Rest	7 Jan 1950	Cardiff		excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtawa19500107
Welsh Trial Probables v Possibles	1 Jan 1955	Cardiff		slight crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prtawa19550101

Oxford v Cambridge	29 Nov 1947	Twickenham		rusty staples Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prun-oxca47
Oxford v Cambridge	7 Dec 1948	Twickenham	14 - 8	worn Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prun-oxca48
Oxford v Cambridge	6 Dec 1949	Twickenham	3 - 0	creased & worn, Reg Pelling, SW Echo name on front Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prun-oxca49
Oxford v Cambridge	9 Dec 1952	Twickenham	5 - 6	rusty staples Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prun-oxca52
Oxford v Cambridge	6 Dec 1955	Twickenham	9 - 5	rusty staples Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prun-oxca55
Oxford v Cambridge	11 Dec 1956	Twickenham	9 - 14	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prun-oxca56
Oxford v Cambridge	10 Dec 1957	Twickenham	3 - 0	very slight crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prun-oxca57
Oxford v Cambridge	9 Dec 1958	Twickenham	6 - 17	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prun-oxca58
Oxford v Cambridge	8 Dec 1959	Twickenham	9 - 3	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prun-oxca59
Oxford v Cambridge	6 Dec1960	Twickenham	0 - 13	'jonathan' on front cover Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prun-oxca60
Oxford v Cambridge	11 Dec 1962	Twickenham	14 - 0	name on front cover Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prun-oxca62

Old Belvedere v Racing Club de France Silver Jubilee celebration match - includes a short history of Old Belvedere	18 Sep 1955	Anglesea Rd, Dublin	includes 3 French autographs in pencil, Vannier, Deveaud (faint) & Dufau Very good Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prspir19550918
Combined Universities of Ireland v Rest of Ireland	18 Dec 1957	Lansdowne Rd	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prspir19571218
Irish Universities Past & Present XV v London Counties	9 Oct 1957	Lansdowne Rd	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prspir19571009
Leinster Trial	23 Oct 1957	Donnybrook	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prspir19571023
Leinster Trial	29 Oct 1958	Donnybrook	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prspir19581029
Cardiff v Rest of Wales Official programme for the Gwyn Nicholls Memorial Fund match.	28 Apr 1949	Cardiff	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prspwa19490428
Cardiff v 1950 British Lions 40 page programme celebrating 75th anniversary of Cardiff RFC. many historical articles and photos	22 Sep 1951	Cardiff	Excellent condition Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prspwa19510922xc
Bicentennial International Rugby Football Tournament. Teams: Barbarians, BATS, Boston, Fylde, Gosforth, Moseley, New England, Rosslyn Park,	27 - 31 May 1976	Boston, Massachusetts, USA	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsptuus-bi76

Connacht v Ulster	24 Nov 1955	Galway	excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsppvir-co.ul55
Connacht v Ulster	26 Nov 1959	Galway	Writing on front cover Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsppvir-co.ul59
Leinster v Munster	22 Nov 1958	Lansdowne Road	Score on front cover Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsppvir-le.mu58
Leinster v Ulster	16 Nov 1957	Lansdowne Road	Score on front cover Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsppvir-le.ul57
Munster v Leinster	9 Nov 1957	Musgrave Park	Tear on spine Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsppvir-mu.le57
Munster v Leinster	28 Nov 1959	Musgrave Park	Tear on spine Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsppvir-mu.le59
Ulster XV v Duke of Wellingtons	30 Sep 1959	Ravenhill	Staple Rust on Cover Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsppvir-ul.du59
Ulster v Lancashire	11 Oct 1958	Ravenhill	Staple Rust on Spine Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsppvir-ul.la58
Ulster v Leinster	13 Dec 1958	Ravenhill	Staple Rust on Spine Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsppvir-ul.le58
Ulster v Yorkshire County	24 Oct 1959	Ravenhill	Staple Rust on Cover Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prsppvir-ul.yo59

Bective Rangers v Cardiff	18 Nov 1957	Donnybrook	Excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prircb-br19571118
Bective Rangers v Leicester	15 Nov 1958	Donnybrook	Small rust stain Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prircb-br19581115
Bective Rangers v Monkstown Old Belvedere v Wanderers Leinster Cup - probably semi-finals	17 Mar 1958	Lansdowne Road	Small rust stains Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prircb-br19580317
Lansdowne v Dublin University Wanderers v Blackrock Leinster Cup - probably semi-finals	04 Apr 1959	Lansdowne Road	Small rust stain Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prircb-la19590404
Cardiff v France Centre	07 Sept 1957	Cardiff Arms Park	Good Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-ca19570907
Cardiff v Gloucester	28 Apr 1948	Cardiff Arms Park	Rusty staple Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19480428
Cardiff v London Welsh	22 Nov 1947	Cardiff Arms Park	Rusty staple Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19471122
Cardiff v Newport	10 Apr 1948	Cardiff Arms Park	Rusty staple Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19480410
Cardiff v Newport	17 Mar 1954	Cardiff Arms Park	Rusty staple Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19540317
Cardiff v Newport	13 Nov 1954	Cardiff Arms Park	Rusty staple Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19541113
Cardiff v Newport	05 Mar 1955	Cardiff Arms Park	Rusty staple and slight tear on spine Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19550305
Cardiff v Newport	10 Nov 1956	Cardiff Arms Park	Rusty staple Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19561110
Cardiff v Newport	02 Mar 1957	Cardiff Arms Park	Rusty staple Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19570302
Cardiff v Stades Nantais U.C. and U.S. Congnacaise Teams	20 Sept 1947	Cardiff Arms Park	Rusty staple Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19470920
Cardiff v Swansea	18 Oct 1947	Cardiff Arms Park	Rusty staple Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19471018
Cardiff v Wasps	26 Dec 1949	Cardiff Arms Park	Rusty staple Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19491226
Cardiff veterans v Stade Nantais U.C. Veterans	26 Dec 1952	Cardiff Arms Park	Creased corner Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-cd19521226
Gloucester v Cardiff	26 Feb 1949	Kingsholm	Excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prencb-gl19490226
Harlequins v Rosslyn Park	27 Oct 1956	White City Stadium	Rusted staples Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-ha19561027
Leicester v Birkenhead Park	27 Dec 1958	Leicester	Rusty staple Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prencb-le19581227
Newport v Llanelly	09 Jan 1954	Newport	Folded corner on cover Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-np19540109
Newport v Cardiff	19 Feb 1955	Newport	Staple rust on spine Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-np19550219
Newport v Ebbw Vale	21 Apr 1956	Newport	Staple rust on spine Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-np19560421
Newport v Neath	15 Sept 1956	Newport	Staple rust on spine Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-np19560915
Newport v Swansea	04 Sept 1954	Newport	Staple rust on spine Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-np19540409
Old Belvedere v Aberavon	05 Oct 1957	Anglesey Road	Excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-ob19571005
Old Belvedere v Bristol	15 Feb 1959	Anglesey Road	Excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-ob19590215
Old Belvedere v Leicester	16 Nov 1958	Anglesey Road	Excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-ob19581116
Old Belvedere v Wasps	27 Oct 1957	Anglesey Road	Excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-ob19571027
Pontypool v Ebbw Vale	31 Dec 1955	Pontypool	Slight corner fold Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prwacb-pl19551231
Stade Nantais U.C. v Cardiff	02 Jan 1950	Nantes	Writing on cover and middle pages Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prfrcb-sn19500202
U.S. Cognaçaise v Cardiff	31 Dec 1949	Cognac	Single crease Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prfrcb-co194912313
Wanderers v Coventry	12 Oct 1957	Lansdowne Road	Excellent Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-prircb-wa19571012

	Playfair Annual 1957/58 - JBG signature to the front cover. Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr57/58
	1958/59 Playfair Annual - JBG signature to front cover, includes a personal letter from Neville Walsh of Crawshay's Welsh RFC tucked inside. Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr58/59
	1959/60 Playfair Annual - JBG signature to front cover, a well thumbed and worn copy Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr1959/60
	1960/61 Playfair Annual - JBG signature to front cover, a well thumbed and worn copy Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr60/61
	1961/62 Playfair Annual - very good condition Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr61/62
	1962/63 Playfair Annual - JBG signature to front cover, a well thumbed and worn copy Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr1962/63
	1963/64 Playfair Annual - JBG signature to front cover and first page, top right hand corner missing, tape repairs, a well thumbed and worn copy Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr63/64
	1964/5 Playfair Annual - very good condition Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr1964/5
	1965/66 Playfair Annual - a well thumbed and worn copy with some tape repairs Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr1965/66
	1966/67 Playfair Annual - a well thumbed and worn copy. Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr1966/67
	1967/68 Playfair Annual - a well thumbed and worn copy. Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr1967/68
	1969/70 Playfair Annual - JBG signature on inside page - a worn copy Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr69/70
	1971/72 Playfair Annual - JBG signature on inside page - good condition Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr71/72
	1972/73 Playfair Annual - JBG signature on front cover - good condition Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anbr72/73
	1935/6 Irish Rugby Annual, the spine has small tears at the top and bottom, rusty staples Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anir1935-6
	1959 Pall Mall Rugby Almanack - including a preview of the 1959 Lions tour of NZ Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-annz-rpm59
	1970/71 Welsh Brewers Rugby Annual for Wales Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anwa70-71
	1994/95 Welsh Brewers Rugby Annual for Wales Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anwa94-5
	1995/96 Welsh Brewers Rugby Annual for Wales Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anwa95-96
	1949 - South Wales Rugger Souvenir - pub by Findon, edited by Emrys Evans Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-anwa1949-rugger

"A souvenir Book of Scotland versus England Services Rugby Matches 1942-1945" - published by RW Forsyth
Scotland v England wartime programmes bound into a single volume, a second-hand hardback with illustrated boards
published in 1946	pages: approx 40	Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-bkhiscprsv45

RANFURLY SHIELD "The Record of Ranfurly Shield Rugby 1902 - 1930" by AH CARMAN
a second-hand booklet in good condition
1st Edition: 1930	Pages: 32	Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-blhirs30

	NZ Kiwis 1945/6 touring team official squad photograph as issued to the players. The team captained by Major Charlie Saxton played 33 matches winning 29, losing 2 with 2 matches drawn. The team is regarded by many as a full strength All Black side. Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-phnz45-6
	British Lions 1959 official squad photograph as issued to the players. captained by Ronnie Dawson, the team included such greats as Tony O'Reilly, RH Williams, Andy Mulligan, Dickie Jeeps, Ken Scotland, Syd Millar & Ray Prosser. Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-phbr59

	Dewi Bebb autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2") Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-db
	W Roddy Evans autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2") Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-wre
	Des Greenslade autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2") Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-dg
	D Ken Jones autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2") Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-dkj
	Bryn Meredith autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2") Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-bm
	Haydn Morgan autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2") Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-hm
	Dave Nash autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2") Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-dn
	Tony O'Connor autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2") Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-toc
	Alun Pask autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2") Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-ap
	Brian Price autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2") Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-bp
	Alan Rees autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2") Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-ar
	Keith Rowlands autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2") Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-kr
	Lloyd Williams autograph on small piece of paper (approx 9cm x 6cm - 3" x 2") Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auwapy-lw

A collection of programmes that have been autographed, the signatures were collected by Wayne before and after matches whilst accompanying his dad.
	England v France 1957 - GRAND SLAM SEASON FOR ENGLAND Signed by RM Bartlett, E Evans, GW Hastings, RWD Marques, PGD Robbins of England, and M Vannier, J Bouquet, J Dupuy, A Domenech, M Celaya of France Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprenfr57
	England v Ireland 1956 Signed by DL Sanders, E Evans, RWD Marques, A Ashcroft, VG Roberts of England, and AA Mulligan of Ireland Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprenir56
	England v Scotland 1955 Signed by GW Hastings of England, and RWT Chisholm, JWY Kemp, A Robinson of Scotland Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprensc55
	England v Scotland 1957 - GRAND SLAM MATCH FOR ENGLAND Signed by RM Bartlett, Eric Evans (captain), GW Hastings, RWD Marques, PGD Robbins of England, and KJF Scotland, GH Waddell, A Robinson of Scotland ** England won this match 16-3 to record their 7th Grand Slam. ** Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprensc57
	Ireland v England 1957 - GRAND SLAM SEASON FOR ENGLAND Signed by AA Mulligan, BG Wood of Ireland, and RM Bartlett, Eric Evans (Captain), GW Hastings, RWD Marques, PGD Robins Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-aupriren57
	Ireland v France 1957 Signed by AA Mulligan of Ireland, and M Vannier, J Dupuy, A Domenech, M Celaya of France Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprirfr57
	Ireland v Wales 1956 Signed by CL Davies, MC Thomas, HP Morgan, KJ Jones, CI Morgan, DO Brace, B Meredith, B Sparks, LH Jenkins of Wales Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprirwa56
	Scotland v France 1956 Signed by RWT Chisholm, ML Grant of Scotland Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprscfr56
	Scotland v Ireland 1955 Signed by AR Smith, A Robinson of Scotland, and D McSweeney Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprscir55
	Scotland v Wales 1955 Signed by A Robinson of Scotland, and AB Edwards, KJ Jones, G Wells, A Thomas, C Morgan, R Robins, JRG Stephens of Wales Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprscwa55
	Scotland v Wales 1957 Signed by KJF Scotland, JWY Kemp, A Robinson of Scotland, and MC Thomas, GM Griffiths, KJ Jones, GI Morgan, L Williams, BV Meredith, JRG Stephens, KJ Robins, B Sparks of Wales Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprscwa57
	Wales v International XV 1957 - Empire Games Fundraising Match Signed by TE Davies, C Davies, G Powell, G Wells, CI Morgan, L Williams, BV Meredith, JRG Stephens, RJ Robins of Wales, and RM Bartlett, E Evans, RWD Marques of International XV Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprwa-int57
	Wales v England 1955 Signed by KJ Jones, G Wells, BL Williams, C Morgan, JRG Stephens, R Robins, B Sparkes of Wales, and JE Williams and DGS Baker of England Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprwaen55
	Wales v England 1957 - GRAND SLAM SEASON FOR ENGLAND Signed by GM Griffiths, MC Thomas, CI Morgan, DO Brace, BV Meredith, R Prosser, JRG Stephens, R O'Connor, R Robins, RCC Thomas of Wales and RM Bartlett, Eric Evans, GW Hastings, RWD Marques, PGD Robbins of England Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprwaen57
	Wales v France 1956 Signed by KJ Jones, HP Morgan, MC Thomas, CL Davies, CI Morgan, DO Brace, B Meredith, LH Jenkins, JRG Stephens, CD Williams, R Robins, G Whitson of Wales Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprwafr56
	Wales v Ireland 1955 Signed by KJ Jones, A Thomas, G Griffiths, H Morris, C Morgan, W R Willis, R Robins, JRG Stephens of Wales Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprwair55
	Wales v Ireland 1957 Signed by TE Davies, C Davies, G Powell, G Wells, CI Morgan, L Williams, BV Meredith, JRG Stephens, RJ Robins, J Faull of Wales, and AA Mulligan, BG Wood, PJ O'Sullivan of Ireland Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprwair57
	Wales v Ireland 1959 Signed by G Ashton, R Prosser, BV Meredith, J Faull, DJE Harris of Wales Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprwair59
	Wales v Scotland 1956 Signed by CL Davies, MC Thomas, KJ Jones, HP Morgan, B Meredith, DO Brace, CI Morgan, R Prosser, RCC Thomas, LH Jenkins, B Sparks of Wales, and RWT Chisholm, ML Grant of Scotland Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprwasc56
	Canada v Combined Bridgend and Maesteg XV Signed by MB McAlpine, DJ O'Neil, JM Ward of Canada Ref: WRMR-WAJO-JBGT-auprtrca62-bm