This is one of a series of posts to mark the international Rugby players who served in, and survived, 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 Birt, Frederick William played for Wales Internationals: 11: 1911 E+ (1p) S+ ; 1912 E- S+ (1d) I- SA- ; 1913 E- Frederick Birt was born on 10 November 1886, in Newport Played as a Centre/Fullback for: Newport, London Welsh and Monmouthshire Profession: Education officer War service: 388467 and 8467 Sapper, Royal Engineers Remarks: Fred Birt lived in a house near a field used for practice by Arthur Gould, the legendary Welsh fullback. The young Birt became ball-retriever for Gould and studied his methods. He scored all Newport’s points (a try and goal, plus a dropped goal) in their (9-3) defeat of the 1912-1913 Springboks. “When Newport got within reach they attempted combinations, and it must be confessed that in the first half, when Martin broke through brilliantly, and absolutely beat the defence, could Birt only have taken the ball, a try for Plummer was an absolute certainty. This, however was Birt’s only mistake. He atoned for it splendidly with the dropped goal, which gave Newport a four point lead at the interval, and throughout the game his kicking was simply great.” Dromio in The South Wales Argus on 25 October 1912. Fred Birt made 270 appearances for Newport between 1906-1907 and 1921-1922; he scored 52 tries, 39 conversions, 38 penalty goals and 20 drop goals for 353 points. He was also a Bowling international for Wales. He died on 5 July 1956, in Beaufort, Monmouthshire
Fred Birt (10 November 1886 – 5 July 1956) was a Welsh international, rugby union centre who played club rugby for Newport and county rugby with Monmouthshire. He won seven caps for Wales but is most notable for his outstanding performance against the 1912 touring South African team for Newport. He was also a member of the Wales bowls team. Birt had an early connection with the game of rugby, and as a youth was a ball boy for Welsh rugby legend, Arthur Gould at Newport. He joined the club as a senior and was a member of the First XV in the 1906/07 season. In 1912 Birt was part of the Newport team that faced the touring South African side. The Springboks match took place on 24 October and Birt was central to the result. The Springboks played 27 games on the tour and only lost three, the first was to Newport. In the first half Birt kicked a drop goal, and the South African Meintjies shook his hand after he did so. In the second half the Springboks came back, scoring a try, but failed to complete the conversion leaving Newport still a point ahead. Newport won the game when after the Welsh kicked the ball towards the South African posts that van der Hoff failed to smother; Birt pounced on the loose ball and not only scored a try, but also completed the conversion. Newport won 9-3, all none points scored by Fred Birt Birt's first international appearance for Wales was in a win against England on 28 January, 1911. In the game at St Helens and under the captaincy of Billy Trew, Birt scored his first points for Wales with a penalty goal. Birt scored his only other Welsh points with a drop goal against Scotland in 1912, and ended his international career a year later against England. Newport born Fred acted as “ball boy” when Arthur Gould practised goal kicking. He was Newport captain in 1919/20. He was member of 1910/11 Triple Crown team. 6 caps (1p /1dg) 1911-1913. Scored all Newport’s points (1t /1c /1dg) vs 1912 SA(9-3). Also played some games for Newport County Reserves. Played bowls for Wales. Telegraph messenger when boy of 15. Died Beaufort 5 July 1956.
