eBay

Hawkes Bay RU

RUGBY TIE

 
The tie has been previously worn and is in very good condition.
 
The width of the tie at it's widest point is 10 cm
 

from the collection of Bill Clement


Llanelli, Wales & the British Lions,

Welsh Rugby Union Secretary 1956 - 1981 

 
******

THIS ITEM IS ACCOMPANIED BY A BILL CLEMENT POSTCARD

WHICH ALSO ACTS AS A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY

GUARANTEEING IT'S ORIGIN, PLEASE SEE EXAMPLE BELOW

 
Certificate Of Authenticity
 
 

 
 

W.H. 'BILL' CLEMENT O.B.E., M.C., T.D., J.P

Llanelli, Wales & the British Lions, Welsh Rugby Union secretary 1956 - 1981 

 
 
 

BILL CLEMENT 1915-2007  

A tribute by Alan Hughes

L. K. OBRIEN, Chief Cashier at the bank of England, I knew his name well! For his rather stark and unwieldy signature appeared in my young days on the back of every bank note that came our way. Ten bob, quid, occasional fiver (were there others?).
                   To anybody in the Principality's rugby public however, there was another, perhaps more meaningful signature that became synonymous with the part the game played in their lives.

It was that of W. H Clement, whose written name was printed on every international ticket for over a quarter of a century, in his capacity as Secretary of the Welsh Rugby Union. 

But what of the man? Bill Clement was born in Llanelli in 1915 during the years of the first World War, and was educated at the local county School . He was a fast and elusive three-quarter, before winning the first of six international caps for Wales against England in 1937, and touring South Africa with the 1938 British Lions.        

                   The outbreak of the second World War saw him Commissioned into the 4th Battalion of the WELCH regiment, with whom he took part in the D-Day landings in June 1944.

                   One month later, Clement (Now major) was involved in hand to hand fighting near Caen in Northern France , in which all but two of the men in his leading platoon were either killed or wounded. The action became known as the ‘’battle of the bulge’’. Though wounded himself Clement, with his men, continued to their objective before inflicting considerable damage to the enemy positions. For his outstanding qualities of leadership Clement was awarded the military cross.

                   Bill Clement was demobilised in 1946 and settled into post war life as an accountant with Brecon County Council.             

It ‘’ Twas Autumn and Sunshine arose on the way to the home of my fathers that welcomed me back’’  

The year 1956 saw him take up the post in which he became almost without parallel one of rugby's great administrators.

                   Under his stewardship Wales were to win nine Championships, three grand slams, and seven triple crowns, and he played a prominent part in the re-building of Cardiff Arms Park .

He was awarded an O.B.E in the new years honours list in 1981.

Bill Clement died, aged 91, as the oldest Welsh International in February 2007. His wife pre-deceased him and he is survived by his daughter.

He had become what after all, is far more important than being a great rugby player, he was a great rugby man. The game, its spirit and camaraderie were dear to him and he knew and cherished the fraternity that exists in rugby as perhaps in no other sport.

 

 
 
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