St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future

JY114

Jersey

CIC

Joe Rees

1923-1924

Jersey, Wales, 1924, red with P.O.W. feathers on breast. No number on back. Worn by Swansea & Wales full-back Joe Rees.

This is the jersey worn by Swansea and Wales full-back Joe Rees in his final match for Wales on 19th January 1924 at St Helen's. Rees was captain that day of a Welsh side that lost to England 17 - 9. England's first win in Swansea for 29 years was witnessed by a crowd of 35,000. Joe Rees was capped 12 times for Wales between 1920 and 1924. He made his debut for Swansea in 1912 and he also captained the club in 1922-23. In 1912 Joe Rees was drafted in to play against Llanelli as Swansea hit injury problems at full-back, with both Bancroft and W J (Pontardawe) Lewis unavailable. In October 1913 Rees was selected at full-back for Llanelli in their match against Swansea. So he had played full-back for both clubs. Rees came to prominence after WW1 when he became known as the safest full-back in Wales and won all of his 12 caps after the war. Joe Rees' appearances for Swansea before and after the Great War totalled 129.

Joe Rees, 1924, wales