NOEL FORBES HUMPHREYS
N.F. Humphreys was picked for the British Isles touring squad for the 1910 tour to South Africa. At that time he was playing stand-off (fly-half) for Tynedale Rugby Club. However he only played for the club for one season before moving to Durham City RFC.

Noel (on official tour photo above he is standing at back, far right) had been born and brought up in Bridgend, Wales, where his father was a vicar. Later the family moved via Cheshire to Thornley Vicarage, Tow Law, Co. Durham, and Noel attended Durham School and Armstrong College (later part of King’s College, Newcastle).

Nowadays his selection would be regarded as an extreme ‘bolter’, in that, despite being picked for the British Isles squad, he had not played, nor would he ever play, for Wales in an international match.

Another surprising fact was that, at 19 years and 186 days of age, he became the youngest Welshman to play for the British Isles when he made his debut in a 17-0 win over Pretoria. So, he was a good bit younger than the current young Welsh star Louis Rees- Zammit’s 20 years and 93 days! And, at least Noel wouldn’t have had to look after a fluffy “Bill the Lion” or “Simba” mascot. (The “Lions” moniker only became relevant after it was adopted in 1950).

In another more tenuous link with the Tynedale club, it should be noted that the British head coach on the 1910 tour was a Mr. W. Cail. This was the same William Cail who, 21 years earlier, had suffered at the hands of Tynedale spectators when refereeing a cup match at Hexham, and allegedly only just avoided being cast into the river Tyne because of a police presence. The incident is described on the Tynedale club web-site under Information/History /Anecdotes.

Noel Humphreys enlisted in 1914 and fought and died in the First World War. He had been promoted to Captain in the Tank Corps (10th battalion), was mentioned in Dispatches and awarded the Military Cross. He was wounded in June 1917 and again in March 1918. This time there was no recovery and he died from his wounds. Noel’s death is honoured at Etaples Military cemetery, and commemorated on both the Tynedale RFC and Durham City RFC memorial boards.

In a story that was eerily echoed in the Hollywood film ‘Saving Private Ryan’, five Humphrey brothers were involved in World War One. Henry died when RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-boat as he crossed from Canada in May 1915 to enlist; John, a second-lieutenant, aged 21 years, was killed in East Africa on the 19th July 1917 and Noel, as we have seen, died in March 1918.

What torment must the Rev H.J. Humphreys and his wife have suffered during this time! A further son Herbert was an officer in the Royal Flying Corp and was awarded the Military Cross, whilst the fifth son Owen served with the Canadian Royal Flying Corp. Both survived the War.

Noel Forbes Humphreys was certainly part of a very very brave family.

D.F.Hamilton