This is one of a series of posts to mark the international Rugby players who served in, and survived, The Great War. If anyone has further information on the men concerned, I’d be most grateful if it could be added to the thread. Gareth Cope, Sir William Bt KC JP DL played for Wales Internationals: 1 : 1896 S+ Wlliam Cope was born on 18 August 1870, in Roath Played as a Forward for: Repton, Cambridge University (Blue 1891), Cardiff, Blackheath, Barbarians Profession: Barrister and Member of Parliament. War service: Major, Glamorgan Yeomanry and on the Staff of Eastern Command Remarks: William Cope played 47 games for Cardiff’s First XV between 1891-1892 and 1894-1895. Played for Barbarians: v Gloucester (9-10) in 1892, v Cardiff (3-14) and Newport (0-19) in 1893, v Hartlepool Rovers (8-7) in 1895, v Cardiff (3-16) and Newport (6-24) in 1896. The son of a colliery owner, he practised as a solicitor and was director of several companies, including Albion Colliery and Welsh Navigation. He was elected as MP for Llandaff and Barry in 1918 and served until1929, when he lost his seat. He was made a Baronet in 1928 and appointed as Comptroller of the Royal Household in 1928. In 1932 he was appointed High Sheriff of Glamorgan, made a Knight of St John, a sub-prior of the Priory of Wales and a Justice of the Peace. In 1946, he was created Baron Cope of St Mellons. Played Cricket for Glamorgan. He died on 15 July 1946, in St Mellons
Cope, William. Adm. at CLARE, Oct. 8, 1888. S. of Matthew, of Quarry Hill, St Mellon's, Cardiff. [B. Aug. 18, 1870.] School, Repton. Matric. Michs. 1888; B.A. 1891; M.A. 1895. Football (rugby) 'blue,' 1891. Adm. at the Inner Temple. Called to the Bar, 1894. K.C., 1933. M.P. for Glamorgan (Llandaff and Barry div.), 1918-29. Junior Lord of the Treasury, 1923-4 and 1924-8. Comptroller of the Royal Household, 1928-9. Served in the Great War (Major, Glamorgan Yeomanry). Created Bart., June 28, 1928. Of St Mellon's, Co. Monmouth. J.P. and D.L. for Co. Glamorgan. High Sheriff, Glamorgan, 1932. Married and had issue. (Repton Sch. Reg.; Burke, P. and B.; Who's Who, 1939.) Alumni Cantabrigienses: A Biographical List of All Known Students, Graduates and Holders of Office at the University of Cambridge, from the Earliest Times to 1900
