William Guest (rugby player)
Encyclopedia
William Guest MBE
was a rugby player for Wakefield RFC
, a major
in the Territorial Army and was awarded the MBE for services to Army sport.
William Guest was from Ackworth, near Wakefield and educated at QEGS Wakefield
from 1913 to 1921.
He played for the school team and captained it during the 1921/22 season with a playing record of 18 wins in 22 games.
The QEGS 1874-1987 A history of school rugby booklet described him
He also played for South Elmsall RFC before joining Wakefield RFC
in 1923 until his retirement through injury in 1939, playing in 372 games - the fourth highest number of games for the club. He was captain of Wakefield between 1928 and 1936 (two spells), Honorary secretary between 1933 and 1939 and club President between 1980 and 1989. He also held posts at Wakefield Sports Club limited and remained active at the rugby club until his death. His contribution to the club was described in Wakefield Rugby Football Club—1901-2001 A Centenary History book as "probably unsurpassed".
He also represented Yorkshire 22 times between 1922 and 1928 and was in the county team that won the County Championship by beating Cornwall at Bradford in 1928.
In 1940 he was called up as a member of the Army Officer's Emergency Reserve to the 6th Gordon Highlanders and served throughout the war in North Africa, Italy and the Far East. He served for a time as a staff officer and left with the rank of major.
In 1946 he joined the Territorial Army (KOYLI) transferring in 1954 to the Army Cadet Force.
In January 1971 he was awarded the MBE
for his work as County Sports officer for the Army Cadet Force.
He was a manuafacturing confectioners agent.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
was a rugby player for Wakefield RFC
Wakefield RFC
Wakefield RFC was an English rugby union club, founded in 1901, and which dropped out of the English leagues in 2004 as a result of the effects of professionalism...
, a major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
in the Territorial Army and was awarded the MBE for services to Army sport.
William Guest was from Ackworth, near Wakefield and educated at QEGS Wakefield
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School is an independent school in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England. QEGS is distinct from most other schools in that it was founded by Royal Charter of Queen Elizabeth I in 1591 at the request of leading citizens in Wakefield 75 in total and some of whom formed the...
from 1913 to 1921.
He played for the school team and captained it during the 1921/22 season with a playing record of 18 wins in 22 games.
The QEGS 1874-1987 A history of school rugby booklet described him
"His experience of many seasons at full back has made him a most useful kick and his tackling has always been most fearless. Playing at three-quarter this season and although his passing has at times been erratic, his grit and determination has been invaluable. Fearless as a player and as a captain. Has developed that frequently neglected or over looked factor of success, the morale of the side. He has proved himself a real leader and captain of the most successful fifteen the school has had for many years"
He also played for South Elmsall RFC before joining Wakefield RFC
Wakefield RFC
Wakefield RFC was an English rugby union club, founded in 1901, and which dropped out of the English leagues in 2004 as a result of the effects of professionalism...
in 1923 until his retirement through injury in 1939, playing in 372 games - the fourth highest number of games for the club. He was captain of Wakefield between 1928 and 1936 (two spells), Honorary secretary between 1933 and 1939 and club President between 1980 and 1989. He also held posts at Wakefield Sports Club limited and remained active at the rugby club until his death. His contribution to the club was described in Wakefield Rugby Football Club—1901-2001 A Centenary History book as "probably unsurpassed".
He also represented Yorkshire 22 times between 1922 and 1928 and was in the county team that won the County Championship by beating Cornwall at Bradford in 1928.
In 1940 he was called up as a member of the Army Officer's Emergency Reserve to the 6th Gordon Highlanders and served throughout the war in North Africa, Italy and the Far East. He served for a time as a staff officer and left with the rank of major.
In 1946 he joined the Territorial Army (KOYLI) transferring in 1954 to the Army Cadet Force.
In January 1971 he was awarded the MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for his work as County Sports officer for the Army Cadet Force.
He was a manuafacturing confectioners agent.