Melbourne Thomas
{{short description|Wales international rugby union footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Melbourne Thomas
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Beriah Melbourne Gwynne Thomas
| birth_date = {{birth date|1896|6|11|df=y}}
| birth_place = Nantymoel, Bridgend County Borough, Wales
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1966|6|23|1896|6|11|df=yes}}
| death_place = Pontypridd, Wales
| height =
| weight =
| position = wing
| amatyears1 =
| amatteam1 = Nantymoel RFC
| amatteam2 = Ogmore Vale RFC
| amatteam3 = St. Batholomew's Hospital
| amatteam4 = Bridgend RFC
| amatteam5 = London Welsh RFC
| amatteam6 = Cardiff RFC
| amatteam7 = Barbarian F.C.
| ru_amclubcaps =
| ru_amclubpoints =
| ru_amupdate =
| repteam1 = Wales
| repyears1 = 1919–1924
| repcaps1 = 6
| reppoints1 = 6
| ru_ntupdate =
| coachteams1 =
| coachyears1 =
| ru_coachupdate =
| school = Bridgend County School
| university = University College, Cardiff
}}
Beriah Melbourne Gwynne Thomas (11 June 1896 – 23 June 1966)[http://www.espnscrum.com/wales/rugby/player/2549.html Melbourne Thomas player profiles] Scrum.com was a Welsh international rugby union player. He played club rugby several teams including Nantymoel, Ogmore Vale, Bridgend, St. Batholomew's Hospital, London Welsh and Cardiff. At international level he represented Wales on six occasions.
Rugby career
"Melbourne" Thomas was a Doctor of Medicine, having studied first at University College, Cardiff and then at St Bartholomew's Hospital, he also played rugby for both institutions. During the First World War he enlisted in the Royal Navy, serving as a surgeon sub-lieutenant. After the war came to a close, in an effort to rebuild the sport of rugby, a match was organised between a Wales team and the New Zealand Army. The game was arranged for 21 April 1919, to be played at St. Helen's in Swansea. Thomas was chosen to represent Wales, earning his first international cap.
International games played
Wales
- {{ru|ENG}} 1924
- {{ru|IRE}} 1921
- {{ru|FRA}} 1921, 1923
- {{flagicon|NZL}} New Zealand Army 1919
- {{ru|SCO}} 1921
Bibliography
- {{cite book |last=Billot |first=John |title=All Blacks |year=1972 |publisher=Ron Jones Publications |location=Ferndale }}
- {{cite book |last=Smith |first=David |author2=Williams, Gareth |title=Fields of Praise: The Official History of The Welsh Rugby Union |year=1980 |publisher=University of Wales Press |location=Cardiff |isbn=0-7083-0766-3}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Melbourne}}
Category:Alumni of Cardiff University
Category:Alumni of the Medical College of St Bartholomew's Hospital
Category:Barbarian F.C. players
Category:People educated at Ysgol Brynteg
Category:Royal Navy personnel of World War I
Category:Rugby union players from Bridgend County Borough