St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future

PH083

Photograph

CIC

Swansea RFC

1900-1913

Photographic portrait B&W, hand painted in colour. W J "Billy" Trew of Swansea and Wales. Dimensions: w15 1/2" x h20" (w40.5cm x h50.5cm).

This photographic portrait of Swansea and Wales legend Billy Trew has been hand tinted by the (unknown) photographer. Photographers at this time often described themselves as "photographic artists" because they were expected to achieve the equivalent posed and compositions as traditional painters. Also, the corrections to photographic plates, either to enhance, modify or repair the images, were a part of a Victorian photographer's skills. Born on 1st July 1878, W.J. (William John) Trew was accepted by his contemporaries and ever since as a true rugby genius. He made his debut for the Swansea first fifteen on 8th October 1897 as a nineteen year old against Penarth, scoring a drop goal. He played for Swansea until his retirement from rugby in 1914, captaining the team for six seasons from 1906-07 to 1912-13, Dicky Owen's tenure in 1911-12 aside. His ability to read the game and the timing of his runs and passes, along with his athletic skill - he was a sprinter of more than average ability and had an almost in perceptible turn of pace and swerve in his running - gave him the time to marshal play and make scoring opportunities for team mates. He was also a prolific try scorer himself, amassing 33 tries in the 1898-99 season and topping the try scoring list for Swansea for six seasons. His debut for Wales followed in 1900, on the wing against England at Gloucester, where he scored a try in a Welsh win that heralded their first 'Golden Era'. He went on to achieve 29 caps as a wing, centre and outside-half, captaining his country 14 times. His last cap was in the win in Paris against an improved French side (8 - 11) in which he tore a groin muscle, ending his career. For Swansea Trew played in the 1905 team that narrowly lost to the first 'All Blacks' (3 - 4) and he captained the Swansea teams that beat Australia (1908) and South Africa (1912). In the latter victory in atrocious conditions at St Helen's, Billy Trew moved two players out of the pack as extra defenders against the Springbok forwards' foot rushes. A frail looking, gaunt figure, susceptible to injury, Billy Trew had many lay-offs and was frequently targeted by unscrupulous opponents as the man to stop. The battering he suffered over a long career unquestionably led to his early death on 20th August 1926 aged just 46. Thousands of townsfolk lined the route to his burial place in the Danygraig cemetery. his soon W.J. Trew jnr. also played for Swansea, captaining them for a season before 'going north' to rugby league in 1934.

PH083.jpg, PH083a.jpg, billy trew, w j trew,