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Gerald Davies left ‘dumbstruck’ and ‘humbled’ by knighthood in New Year Honours

By Mark Mansfield
Wales great Gerald Davies. Photo David Davies/PA Wire

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.

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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.”

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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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6 comments

Y Cymro

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. Gerald Davies and other so-called Welshmen & women should know their history. And If any awards are given should be presented by the people not an unelected Monarch who uses the name British Empire that caused untold suffering around the world, Wales included. An award given should be based on merit and achievement above & beyond, and not given for party political reasons as seen with crooked UK Labour's nepotism or should they be handed to celebrities who are highly paid and don't do their day job for nothing. And even if they were given a gong for their charity work should refuse as the only reward is raising money and seeing it benefit those in need not themselves.

Reply
J Jones

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 the All Blacks, though he did refuse an invitation on the next tour because of his views on apartheid. A bit like the Prince of Outsiders feathers on our rugby shirts, something that we tolerate short term but make sure, as with the honors system, that it's phased out for the long term, for ever.

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Y Cymro

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 in empire building before the coupling occurred? Wasn't Britain. Twas England. After all, Wales was invaded in 1283 and later annexed in 1535 being the very first trophy country turned blood red by England. We were the very first leaf in their empire building portfolio. And don't get me wrong. I'm not negating responsibility for individuals from Wales who were obviously involved in the so-called British Empire , but Wales as a state played no part seeing we could not even stop Liverpool & Westminster from flooding valleys in Wales let alone be party to colonialism. We suffered as much as those in India and other colonies with resource rape and abject poverty. At least they are now independent and shackle free. That cannot be said of Wales. Thinking about it. We are still suffering its ill effects today. Still no representation as a constitute country. No real control. As a country we are on a leash and can be pulled back by our English master when they deem we've stepped out of place. The days of empire never really set on Wales being ground zero. We are still pegged out in sun suffering third degree burns. First in last out. But getting back to the honours system. As said, I don't have a problem rewarding those high achievers and ones who selflessly do charitable work. It's what the current system stands for. No doubt those Monarchists in favour will say I'm jealous , the usual bull****, but I don't fall for their BritNat baiting. See, I have principle which they lack. It's a Honours System that not only sanitises imperialism but maintains the class system. A question. How many domestic cleaners are Knighted or made Dames? I think we all know that answer.

Reply
J Jones

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 in the modern world. The Presidency of the WRU used to hold a lot of influence as a senior guardian for the good of the national sport, obviously this is no longer the case. For him I'm glad in a way that he ended his term in 2023, before the sabotage report from England along with the very odd couple who are now the farce at the top of the WRU. The 70s saw us at the top of the sport, 3 Grand Slams, the first Cymru allowed to captain the Lions who won in New Zealand. I never thought we'd come close to repeating it in the 2005-2019 4th Golden Era. Maybe in time, the likes of Jamie Roberts, Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton, etc, can follow the likes of Gerald and bring our governing body and national sport back to somewhere near to where it should be.

Reply
Frank

Do the right thing Gerald and hand it back.

Reply
Dr John Ball

The great Carwyn James refused and Martin Sheen returned his.

Reply

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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...

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