Rob Morgan Memories

Robin (Rob) played for the club in the 1950s and early 1960s and still meets up with a couple of his team mates, as you'll see below. Also below are some of Rob's rugby related memories that, although not Harwell related, will be of interest to most of us.

In the links on the right you'll see some fixture cards and a Harwell team that went to South Wales.

Here's, in Rob's own words, is his "potted history"!:

Having done National Service in the Royal Artillery in the Far East & Korea from 1948-52, joined the Ministry of Works as a Surveyor at Harwell. Joined Harwell RFC approx 1952-3. Played regularly until 1956. Played almost all my games on the left wing with Hamish Small playing on the right wing.

Left for South Wales, where I played for Newbridge, Abertillery (played with Alan Pask, future Welsh Captain who played at No. 8) and Hayden Morgan (who played at No. 7 for Wales).

Returned to Harwell early 60’s and continued to play for Harwell while working for Agip Oil Company and Amoco (American Oil). During this time had several games for Oxford RFC and played with Roy and Ray Tapper, and Duncan Kilgore. At the time, Geoff Windsor-Lewis was also a member of Oxford RFC.

Also played for Charlie Eades’ (Windsor Fish and Chip shops) Oxford Thursdays, which team often included Oxford Blues and some internationals.

Left Harwell 1965-6 and played for Havant RFC, and occasionally for Trojans RFC in Southampton. My last game was against United Services Portsmouth when I was 37.

I set up my own company in 1970, buying, developing and selling on service stations to the oil companies, and continued this until my retirement at 69 (1999).

Got involved with rallying in the early 70’s, and in 1971 did the RAC Rally of Great Britain with an Escort Twin Cam. I was also involved with an interior landscaping company run by my partner, Bronwyn Burrell.

In 2004 I did The Inca Trail – 5 days/4 nights overland, walking, to Machu Pichu in Peru, and the same year I did the Lycean Way in Turkey with Jack Cameron.

In 2005, went with the Lions Tour to New Zealand with Fran Cotton and Derek Quinnell.

Three hard weeks! And as always, what happens on tour stays on tour!!

I now live in Milford-on-Sea and am currently a Vice-President of Crawshays RFC in Wales. I still support the Welsh and manage to get to a lot of the internationals.

Rob

Photo 1: Rob Morgan, Jack Cameron, Johnny Roberts - August 2011

Photo 2: Taken on the British & Irish Lions Tour of NZ in 2005, of Rob and Fran Cotton playing front row with Russ Jenkins (ex Chairman of Manchester RFC) playing hooker

Photo 3: Rugby lunch with Mervyn Davies (“Merv The Swerve”) and Barry John (“King John”).

1953/54 1st XV Team Photograph

Back Row: ? - Frank Williams—"Chummy" Woodhouse—Brian Bell—? - ? - ? -? - Clayton Evans—Jimmy Hill (in blazer)

Front Row: ? - ? - ? - Jack Cameron—Eddie Relph- Derek Ricketts—Hamish Small

Photo 2: 1954

Chummy looks on as Rob is scragged by the opposition!

This is a photo of a Harwell team that went to a match in South Wales arranged by Johnny Roberts, whose brother, I believe, played for Swansea.

195x/5x South Wales Tour

Back Row: ? - ? - ? - Rob Morgan - ? - ? - Derrick Ricketts—Johnny Maskery

Front Row: ? - ? - ? - Wally Spittle—Frank Williams—Johnny Roberts—Jack Cameron—Malcolm Adams —Ken Allen