William Owen Gooding Williams

William Owen Gooding Williams

William Owen Gooding Williams was born in the Gower on 19 November 1929. He attended Gowerton Primary School but left school at the age of 14 to work in the dry docks and then in the steelworks. He did National Service in the Royal Navy and in 1951 played for the Combined Services against South Africa. Originally a lock with the local Gowerton club he joined Swansea and eventually converted into a loose-head prop. Between 1951 and 1956 he played in 22 internationals for Wales and was a member of the XV that beat New Zealand in December 1953. He captained Swansea for two seasons and played for the club against the All Blacks, Wallabies and Springboks. 'W.O.'Williams toured South Africa with the British Isles in 1955, playing in 17 matches, including the four tests. He also captained the Lions in their penultimate fixture against Border.