Page 37 - They Also Served

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Richard Garnons-Williams 1876.
The son of a clergyman, and one of nine children, Richard Davies Garnons- Williams was born in Llowes, Wales, in 1856 and educated at Magdalen College School, Oxford. Going up to Trinity College, Cambridge in 1874, he represented the university at rugby, but such was the competition that he did not win a blue. He did, however, play for Sandhurst. Garnons-Williams was commissioned in 1876 into the 38th (Staffordshire) Regiment of Foot, transferring the following year to the 7th Regiment of Foot (Royal Fusiliers).
Rugby Union was only introduced in Wales in 1850 but rapidly grew in popularity. In 1880, Garnons-Williams played three matches for Newport and, the following year, was selected to represent Wales in the country’s first-ever international rugby match against England at Blackheath on 19th February. The hosts won a one-sided match 8-0, in the points system of the day, that consisted of a drop goal and seven tries. He also represented Wales at association football. When asked to fill a gap in the Welsh side, he stipulated that it should be as goalkeeper – and this was agreed. Promoted to captain in 1885, he was posted as adjutant of the 4th (Militia) Battalion of his regiment in 1887, where he remained until he retired in 1887. Between 1894 and 1906, he served as a major with the 1st (Brecknockshire) Volunteer Battalion of the South Wales Borderers, retiring with the honorary rank of lieutenant-colonel.
Upon the outbreak of the First World War, Garnons-Williams immediately volunteered for further service, firstly as a major and later in command of the newly formed 12th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Such was the shortage of experienced officers in the early part of the war that most ‘New Army’ battalions were commanded by officers long past retirement age. Nevertheless, he took the 12th Royal Fusiliers to France in September 1915, where it was almost immediately in action.
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