Willie Llewelyn - a short profile by Andrew Hignell

---

Player:

WD Llewelyn

---

DateLine: 30th December 2007

 

Willie Llewelyn might have been one of the greatest batsman in Glamorgan`s Minor County days, but just when on the verge of an illustrious career, Llewelyn took his life in August 1893 by shooting himself in the grounds of Penlegaer House, just a few weeks before his marriage to the daughter of Lord Dynevor.

 

Llewelyn was the son of Sir J.T.D.Llewelyn, the squire of Penllegaer, who was rightly called the father of Glamorgan cricket as he was the man who had convened the meeting in July 1888 at which the county club was founded. Willie Llewelyn had been educated at Eton College, where he won a place in the school`s eleven, and also won the Public Schools Racquets competition in both 1886 and 1887.

 

In 1888 Willie went up to Oxford, where he won a Blue in 1890 and 1891, besides striking a career best 116 in 1890 against A.J.Webbe`s Eleven. The undergraduate also captained the Glamorgan side on occasions and he had been in the county team which recorded their first ever victory by defeating Surrey Club and Ground at The Oval by six wickets.

 

In 1893 Llewelyn took over as the county`s Treasurer and also struck a cavalier 99 against Monmouthshire at the Arms Park. It seemed that the 25 year old was poised to play a leading role both on and off the field, but within weeks of his innings of 99, Llewelyn had tragically taken his life. His funeral was attended by hundreds of people from the local gentry and sporting world, and al of the Glamorgan committee attended as a mark of respect to someone who they had seen as a future captain and administrator of the club.

 

(Article: Copyright © 2007 Dr.A.K.Hignell)