Gerald Davies left ‘dumbstruck’ and ‘humbled’ by knighthood in New Year Honours
Wales rugby great Gerald Davies admitted he was left “dumbstruck” after being awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours.
The 79-year-old former Wales and British and Irish Lions wing has been recognised for services to rugby union and voluntary and charitable service in Wales.
Sir Gerald is among a select group of Wales players to win three Grand Slams.
Attacking game
His devastating attacking game and try-scoring ability was highlighted by him collecting 20 touchdowns in 46 Tests for his country across a stellar 12-year international career.
His performances ranked him among Wales’ finest players, taking a place alongside the likes of Gareth Edwards, Barry John and JPR Williams as a box-office star.
He also featured in five Tests for the Lions, including all four on the 1971 New Zealand tour that remains the Lions’ only Test series triumph against the All Blacks.
His club rugby played out with Cardiff, Llanelli and London Welsh, and after his retirement he became a highly-respected administrator in the sport.
He was Lions manager for the 2009 tour to South Africa, and he also served as Welsh Rugby Union president between 2019 and 2023.
“It is an amazing honour,” Sir Gerald told the PA news agency.
“I am humbled by it and moved by the thought that somebody, somewhere, has thought it worthy of giving me that honour.
“With that in mind, you are always aware in getting an honour like this of the enormous support you get from your family – my wife Cilla and children Emily and Ben.
“They are constantly at my side in giving me support over the years. It is not something that you achieve entirely on your own.
“I thank those who have encouraged me over the years, the generosity and kindness of friends, colleagues and countless others.
“I feel very emotional about it. I am surprised by it. Words are really quite inadequate to describe it.
“It comes out of the blue. I was dumbstruck in many ways, but you don’t achieve these things on your own.”
CBE
Sir Gerald was made a CBE in 2003, and his work off the rugby field also won him many admirers.
“I have supported charities in the communities, and I have done so throughout my life. I think that is important,” he added.
“I have always believed that I should participate in the game.
“Once the game, playing-wise, was over I always wanted to do something in addition to that, not just as a player, but as an administrator for Wales, the Lions, the Barbarians.
“I am not involved now in the earnest way that I have been right throughout my life. It is nice and calm, and I like it that way, to look at it from a distance.
“Rugby will be part of my life forever.”
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Although I am a huge admirer of Gerald Davies and his rugby playing days with Wales and the Lions don’t agree with the Honours System. He should not have a accepted his Knighthood. Sorry Gerald. It would have been better if he would have said thanks but no thanks. I must regretfully refuse. Sadly effectively he’s accepted a peanut from the organ grinder. Don’t those know what the British Empire did? After all, Wales was the very first trophy country and blueprint to England’s future Empire. And let it be known as that. England’s Empire. It was no British Empire.… Read more »
Some good points made, but as Y Cymro you should know we are Cymru, not Welsh/Outsiders, but we are British because we are from the indigenous Brythonic people, whereas the English Anglo Saxons are not. Maybe replace the British with English for their empire, such as the Anglo-Boer War where they invented concentration camps that killed off women and children. That element of English imperialism makes me proud that we Cymru are not on their Union Jack that flew above it all. Anti-British would have meant Gerald refusing to tour with the British Lions packed with the Cymru that beat… Read more »
Indeed. And as I highlighted regarding the name, British Empire, an inaccurate term used because the country that invaded half the globe turning it pink was England on behalf of the English Monarchy. The English have not only appropriated our ethnicity but chose to taint by association. Share the blame so to speak. Bit like when English football thugs terrorised Europe during tournaments. Apparently they were referred to as British football thugs not English. Before the Act of Union of 1707 that incorporated Scotland which effectively created what is now known as the birth British State which country was involved… Read more »
Llongyfarchiadau Gerald. I’m going to sound a hypocrite here as I usually ignore the honours system, from a very discredited family who throw them around like to confetti, to so many undeserving dodgy individuals who have bought them for cash or political favours. But as Gerald was a star of the British Lions from their greatest days and the greatest days of rugby, as they did included the odd Englishman it’s fitting that he receives an award from that country. He’s put so much back into the sport, representing us with his moral and ethical standards that are so lacking… Read more »
Do the right thing Gerald and hand it back.
The great Carwyn James refused and Martin Sheen returned his.