By Tony Organ
Graham Tregidon was born in Swansea on 3rd February 1935, but grew up on Lawrenny Street in Neyland and attended Pembroke Dock Grammar School, travelling each school day across the Haven on the ferry. He became the captain of the school’s Rugby 1st XV and went on to become its first international. In the school magazine ‘Penfro’ of 1953 it states: “Graham Lloyd Tregidon, this season’s First XV captain, has brought honour to the school and himself by being the first boy from Pembroke Dock Grammar School to be awarded a rugby international cap.”
In the 1952-53 season Graham played two internationals: 29th March ’53 versus France at Agen, which Wales won 6 – 9, and on the 11th April versus England at Cardiff which they won 8 – 0. He also played two representative games – against Yorkshire at Otley and against Welsh Youth XV at Pontypool Park. He played in two positions, fullback and outside half. In the game against Yorkshire he played so well that GW Abbott, in the February issue of the periodical ‘Rugger’, described him as the “outstanding player in the match”.
Graham also played cricket for the school and soccer for the extremely successful Neyland Youth soccer team which won the Wiltshire Cup in two consecutive seasons.
Graham became a teacher and spent his entire career at Canton High School in Cardiff. This position led him to teach the legendary Welsh International John Toshack. He also carried on playing rugby, joining Penarth RFC.
Graham was honoured in 1993 when he was elected President of the Welsh Rugby Union. He remained in Cardiff and passed away in 2022.