St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future

PH050

Photograph, B&W, mounted and titled. Wing Commander Walker's XV 1949. Dimensions: w18. 1/2" x h14 1/2" (w47.5cm x h37.5cm)

Photograph

CIC

1949-1950

This is a photograph of Wing Commander (later Group Captain) S G "Ranji" Walker's XV when they played Swansea RFC at St Helen's on 8th October 1949 on the occasion of Swansea's 75th anniversary. Walker's team won 5 - 0. The idea for a touring team was devised by Walker himself along with T C Prosser the incumbant Swansea RFC Hon, Secretary in 1949. It was a means of promoting rugby and friendship after the war years. Walker's team's motto was:" NIL PERDENDUM NISI AMICITIA" (Nothing lasts except friendship). Walker's teams toured in April and September in South Wales, northern England and Ireland. they featured the great players of the day and more importantly, up and coming players, many of whom were capped later. The tours lasted until 1959. Swansea played host to Walker's XV on 10 occasions. Seven matches were won by Swansea, with two draws and this 1949 win for Ranji Walker's team. But the results were not as important as the displays of skill and free spirit in which the matches were played. They did much to encourage people to watch rugby again after the hardships of war.

photograph, ranji walker, walker's XV, 1949-1950, tour,