Stanley Williams DSO (2 November, 1886 - 30 April, 1936) was an Welsh rugby union fullback who played club rugby for Newport. He won five caps for England and was selected for the British Lions 1910 tour of South Africa, in which he played in all three test games. Williams first played for Newport in 1901 and was part of the team that faced the touring 1908 Australians. Whilst with Newport he had several trials with Wales and was at one stage selected as a reserve for the team, but was never officially selected to represent his birth country. In 1910 Williams was one of five Newport players chosen to represent the British Isles on their tour of South Africa. Williams played in all three test matches. When the English rugby union invoked Newport's rugby union membership Williams switched his international allegiance to England. Williams was first capped for England on 21 January 1911 when he played against Wales at St Helens. England lost the match 11-15, but in the second game of the Championship Williams finished on the winning side when the English team crushed France 37-0. Williams played in the next two games for England when they lost in tight game to Ireland and beat Scotland to leave them with the Wooden Spoon. Williams served his country during World War I, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his actions during the conflict. In 1936 on a return trip form Rio de Janeiro to Southampton on the Royal Mail ship Arlanza Williams fell overboard and was declared lost. Stanley Horatio Williams Clubs - Newport Education - Newport Intermediate School (Wales) Honours - British and Irish Lions / England Born in Rogerstone - attended Newport Intermediate School. Started as Association footballer but switched to rugby. Started as wing but was a real success when switched to fullback.Welsh trialist and reserve but never capped. Played vs 1908 Australia. British Lion 1910 SA (3 tests). The ERU invoked Newport’s RU membership and he was capped for England vs Wales Jan 1911. Won 4 caps Jan - March 1911. Won DSO in WW1. Lost overboard on returning home from Rio de Janeiro to Southampton 1936 on Royal Mail liner Arlanza. Newport RFC record : 1901/2-1910/1 : 151apps / 21t / 4p / 8dg.
Stanley Horatio Williams - 10th Battalion 1st Monmouth http://timbergroves.com/family/docs/Bowen/Ivor_Bowen_London_Gazette/Major.pdf
Williams, Stanley Horatio DSO played for England and Great Britain Internationals: 4: 1911 W- F+ I- S+ Great Britain Internationals: 3 : 1910 SA- SA+ SA- Stanley Williams was born on 2 November 1886 at Rogerstone, Gwent. Played as a Full back for: Newport Intermediate School, Newport, Monmouth Profession: Manager, Ebbw Vale Iron Ore Mines Company. War service: T/Lieutenant 10th Battalion (1st Monmouth) South Wales Borderers, 3 December 1914 [the Gazette of 5 January incorrectly indicates the Royal Welsh Fusiliers]. Captain in the South Wales Borderers from 14 January 1915, transferred to the Royal Artillery on 2 December 1915, later Acting Major, Royal Field Artillery; he was twice gassed and was Mentioned in Despatches three times in 1917, DSO Gazetted 4 June 1917 for ‘distinguished service in the field’. Remarks: He made 143 appearances for Newport from 1904-1905 to 1910-1911, scoring 21 tries, 4 penalty goals and 8 dropped goals. Reserve for Wales 1910-1911. Described as playing full back almost faultlessly in all four [international] games and then retiring. Uncapped when selected for the Great Britain tour of South Africa 1910. He was injured in the 3rd Test v SA and carried from the field. He died on 30 April 1936 when he was lost overboard from the SS Arlanza when returning from Rio de Janeiro to Southampton.
