Gomer Gunn

Gomer Llewelyn Gunn (third ¼ 1885^[2] – fourth ¼ 1935^[3]) was a Welsh rugby union, and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1900s. He played representative level rugby union (RU) for Welsh Schoolboys, and at club level for Treherbert RFC, and representative level rugby league (RL) for Other Nationalities, and at club level for Bradford FC (now Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C.), Wigan and Keighley, as a fullback or centre.^[1]

Gomer Gunn

Gomer Gunn in his Welsh Schoolboys shirt with his Other Nationalities 1904-5 cap
Personal information
Full name	Gomer Llewelyn Gunn
Born	third ¼ 1885 Treherbert, Wales
Died	fourth ¼ 1935 (aged 50) Bradford, England
Playing information
Rugby union
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P –1903 Treherbert RFC
Rugby league
Position	Fullback, Centre
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1903–08 Bradford F.C. 178 1 41 ≥0 85 1908–09 Wigan 10 2 5 ≥0 16 1909 Keighley Total 188 3 46 101 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1905–≥05 Other Nationalities ≥1
Source: ^[1]

Background

Gomer Gunn's birth was registered in Treherbert, Wales, and his death aged 50 was registered in Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire, England.

Playing career

International honours

Gomer Gunn won a cap for Other Nationalities (RL) while at Bradford F.C., he scored a goal in the 11-26 defeat by England at Park Avenue, Bradford on Monday 2 January 1905.

Career at Bradford

Gomer Gunn was a non-playing interchange/substitute to travel in Bradford FC's 5-0 victory over Salford in the Championship tiebreaker during the 1903–04 season at Thrum Hall, Hanson Lane, Halifax on Thursday 28 April 1904, in front of a crowd of 12,000.^[4][5] Gomer Gunn played fullback in Bradford F.C.'s 5-0 victory over Salford in the 1906 Challenge Cup Final during the 1905–06 season at Headingley, Leeds, on Saturday 28 April 1906, in front of a crowd of 15,834.

Career at Wigan

Gomer Gunn played left-centre and scored a try in Wigan's 18-2 victory over Batley in the Championship semi-final during the 1908–09 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 17 April 1909, but he did not play in the 7-3 victory over Oldham in the final during the 1908–09 season at The Willows, Salford on Saturday 1 May 1909, with Lance Todd taking his place in the team.^[6]

Notable tour matches

Gomer Gunn played left-centre in Wigan's 16-8 victory over Australia in the tour match at Central Park, Wigan on Wednesday 20 January 1909.^[7]

Genealogical information

Gomer Gunn was the son of James Gunn, the manager of several cinemas in the Rhondda Valley, and the brother of Alfred Gunn, George Gunn, Walter Gunn, Susan Ann Gunn (married name Mitchell, husband Arthur Mitchell), Elizabeth Mary Gunn and Albert Gunn. Gomer Gunn's marriage to Annie (née Bentley (birth registered during second ¼ 1885 in Keighley district)) was registered during second ¼ 1906 in Keighley district.^[8] They had children; Annie Elizabeth Gunn (birth registered during second ¼ 1907 in Keighley district), and the future hairdresser (initially in Bradford, and later at Elstree Studios), and actress (in the film Blackdamp in c. 1931, alongside her friend the actress; Madeleine Carroll^[9]); Dolly Gunn (birth registered during fourth ¼ 1909 in Keighley district), also known by the nickname of "Doris". Gomer Gunn's first wife Annie died during first ¼ 1922 in North Bierley district.^[10] Gomer Gunn's marriage to Elsie (née Richardson) took place at Bradford Cathedral (St Peter's Church, Bradford until 1919) on Saturday 30 March 1929, and was registered during first ¼ 1929 in Bradford district.^[11]

Note

In the referenced photograph "Welshman Gomer Gunn" at rlhp.co.uk, Gomer Gunn is shown wearing a 1904-5 cap, and what appears to be a Wales national team shirt, as yet there are no references detailing him playing for Wales at either rugby league, or rugby union. The Wales national rugby league team did not play its first international until Wednesday 1 January 1908, so the 1904-5 cap is unlikely to be associated with Wales national rugby league team, and may be his Other Nationalities cap as this was won in the 1904-5 season, and the shirt being his Welsh Schoolboys shirt.^[12]

References

1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org (RL)". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
2. "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
3. "Death details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
4. Irvin Saxton (publish date tbc) "History of Rugby League – № 9 – 1903–04". Rugby Leaguer ISBN n/a
5. "1903/04 Northern Union Champions". rlhp.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
6. "Wigan RL History - 1908-09 Season". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
7. "1909 Tour Match: Wigan 16 Australia 8". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
8. "First Marriage details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
9. "Madeleine Carroll at Yorkshire Main Pit At Doncaster". bufvc.ac.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
10. "Annie Gunn's death details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
11. "Second Marriage details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
12. "Image "Welshman Gomer Gunn - Gomer Gunn played full-back for Bradford from 1903 until 1908. - 01/01/1905"". rlhp.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.

External links

• Statistics at wigan.rlfans.com
• 1909 Tour Match: Wigan 16 Australia 8
• "Welshman Gomer Gunn - Gomer Gunn played full-back for Bradford from 1903 until 1908. - Date: 01/01/1905" at rlhp.co.uk
• Search for "Gomer Gunn" at britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk