This is one of a series of posts to mark the international Rugby players who died during The Great War. If anyone has further information on the men concerned, I’d be most grateful if it could be added to the thread. Gareth Lewis, Brinley Richard played for Wales Internationals: 2 : 1912 I- ; 1913 I+ (2t) Brinley Lewis was born on 4 January 1891, son of David and Margaret Lewis of Tanyrant, Pontardawe. Played as a Wing for: Swansea Grammar School, Cambridge University (Blue 1909-1911), Pontardawe, Swansea, London Welsh Profession: Glamorgan Yeomanry Remarks: Played for Cambridge University (0-24) v the 1912-1913 Springboks. On 17 April 1915 he played for a Welsh XV v a Barbarian XV at Cardiff Arms Park in what was termed a ‘Military International’ between Wales and England, designed to boost recruiting for the newly-formed Welsh Guards and to raise money. Wales fielded a near International team with only one uncapped player (Dan Callan of the Royal Munster Fusiliers). The Barbarian side had 12 Englishmen, 2 Irishmen and 1 Welshman (South African International Joseph Partridge). Lewis scored a try in the match, won by the Barbarians 26-10, which raised £200. Cousin of G M Michael (3 caps). War service: Major, “B” Battery, 122nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, 38th (Welsh) Division; Mentioned in Despatches. He was killed in action on 2 April 1917, at Ypres, and is buried in Ferme-Olivier Cemetery, Elverdinghe, Ieper [I. C. 3.].
Lewis was born in Pontardawe, Wales but was educated at Swansea Grammar School and represented the Wales Schoolboy team. He later attended Cambridge University and while at university gained three 'Blues' when he was selected for three consecutive Varsity games from 1909-1911. Lewis gained his first cap for Wales against Ireland as part of the 1913 Five Nations Championship. The Welsh team were inexperienced and lost the game 12-5, not helped when Lewis's team mate Tom Williams broke his arm and continued playing in the second half of the game. Lewis was back the next year in the 1913 Championship, for his second and last cap, again against Ireland. Lewis scored two tries in the game which saw Wales win narrowly. A scorer of one of the Irish tries in that game, Albert Stewart, would like Lewis, die in action in World War I. Lewis was killed in action at Ypres on 2 April 1917, after the enemy shelled the rear of the B Battery, hitting the mess where Lewis was situated, killing him instantly. He is buried at Ferme-Oliver Cemetery
Brin Lewis played for Swansea and won his two caps from there. He was a member of the Glamorgan Yeomanry who rose to the rank of Major in the Royal Field Artillery before he was killed in action at Ypres on 2 April, 1917, aged 26. In Memory of Major BRINLEY RICHARD LEWIS "B" Bty. 122nd Ede., Royal Field Artillery who died age 26 on 02 April 1917 Son of David and Margaret Lewis, of Tanyrallt, Pontardawe, South Wales. Remembered with honour FERME-OLIVIER CEMETERY
