Bill Byron Explained

Bill Byron
Full Name:William Grant Byron
Birth Date:6 March 1876
Birth Place:Derry, Ireland
Death Place:Belfast, Northern Ireland
Occupation:Accountant
University:University of Edinburgh
Position:Forward
Repyears1:1896–99
Repcaps1:11
Reppoints1:0

William Grant Byron (6 March 1876 — 24 December 1961) was an Irish international rugby union player.

Born in Derry, Byron played varsity rugby during his studies at the University of Edinburgh and was with Belfast club North of Ireland when he gained his first Ireland call up for the 1896 Home Nations, having impressed in provincial matches with Ulster.[1] He gained a total of 11 international caps, finishing his career as a triple crown winner in 1899.[2]

Byron, an accountant, served as an officer in both the Second Boer War and World War I, the latter with the rank of captain. Injured by shellfire in World War I, Byron was left blinded until undergoing a successful procedure by renowned ophthalmic surgeon Richard Cruise in London.[3]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: W. G. Byron (North of Ireland) . . 16 March 1896.
  2. News: Oldest rugby shirt in world set to sell for £21,000 . . 9 December 2015 . en.
  3. News: Former rugby international . . 28 December 1961.