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 Gabe, Rhys Thomas played for Wales and Great Britain Internationals: 24 : 1901 I+ ; 1902 E+ (1t) S+ (2t) I+ ; 1903 E+ S- I+ (1t) ; 1904 E= S+ (1t) I+ (1t) ; 1905 E+ (1t) S+ I+ NZ+ ; 1906 E+ I- (1t) SA- ; 1907 E+ S- I+ (1t) ; 1908 E+ (2t) S+ F+ I+ Great Britain Internationals: 1904 A+ A+ A+ NZ- Rhys Gabe was born on 22 June 1880 in Llangennech Played as a Wing or Centre for: Llanelli Intermediate School, Llanelli, Borough Road College, London Welsh, Cardiff Profession: Schoolmaster War service: Second Lieutenant, Royal Garrison Artillery, commissioned on 18 November 1917. He died on 15 September 1967 in Cardiff.
Rhys Thomas "Rusty" Gabe (22 June 1880 - 15 September 1967) born as Rees Thomas Gape Born in Llangennech, Gabe started his rugby career with Llanelli, making his debut at the age of seventeen. In 1901 he moved to London to study at Borough Road Training College and joined London Welsh, where he was moved to centre. After qualifying as a mathematics teacher, he took a teaching post in Cardiff and joined the Cardiff club, where he formed a devastating centre combination with Gwyn Nicholls for both club and country. He played for Cardiff between 1902-03 and 1909-10, captaining the club in the 1907-08 season. He scored 51 tries for Cardiff in 115 appearances. Gabe won his first cap for Wales against Ireland in 1901, playing on the left wing. His 24 caps for Wales included the famous 1905 victory against New Zealand, and he captained Wales in the 1907 match against Ireland. He toured Australasia with the British Isles team of 1904. He played in all four test matches, including the three victories over Australia. Gabe was an impressive try scorer and scored 11 tries during his Welsh career. In his first game against England in 1902 he scored a memorable try when John Strand-Jones deceived the entire English pack and passed the ball to Gabe. With only the English full back Gamlin to beat, Gabe raced to the try line and rounded Gamlin but took a heavy blow to his solar plexus. Gabe managed to carry on, cross the line, score the try, only then passing out. His most remarkable try was probably one scored against England at Bristol in 1908. The match was played in thick fog, and Gabe and his team mate Percy Bush found a loose ball outside England's 25. Gabe won the tussle for the ball and set off in the direction of the line, while Bush ran off in the opposite direction to confuse the opposition. Eventually the referee and the other players arrived at the line to find Gabe waiting with the ball. Gabe retired in 1908, but still appeared occasionally for Cardiff. He was a fine club cricketer and played occasionally for Glamorgan. He also captained Radyr Golf Club, and played at Cardiff Golf Club well into his eighties. He died in Cardiff in 1967. GABE, RHYS THOMAS (REES THOMAS GAPE ; 1880-1967), rugby player; b. 22 June 1880 in Llangennech, Carms. He played locally before representing Llanelli for the first time when he was 17 yrs. old. He won the first of his 24 caps (1901-08) on the wing against Ireland on 21 Mar. 1901. It was as a centre that he gained fame. He possessed all the skills; he was unyielding in defence, when attacking he ran straight and with determination. Deceptive, firm and boney, he was difficult to tackle. In 1901 he began a teachers’ training course at Borough Road College, London, and played for a period with London Welsh. After travelling to Australia with the British team in 1904, he returned to be a teacher in Cardiff, and scored 51 tries in 115 games for the city's club before resigning in 1908. He made a key contribution to the historic Welsh win (3-0) against the All Blacks in 1905, and with Erith Gwyn Nicholls William (‘Willie’) Morris Llewellyn and Edward (‘E.T.’) Morgan he formed the most brilliant three-quarter line that ever played for Wales. He d. 15 Sept. 1967 at Cardiff. http://yba.llgc.org.uk/en/s2-GABE-THO-1880.html
