1928-1929 ANECDOTES

ANECDOTES 1928-29

WHO’S WHO ? (BATH CHRONICLE)

“W. H. SHEPPARD this season’s leader of the Bath XV., possesses what is, perhaps, the greatest qualification for captaincy; he is a Bathonian born and bred. Born in 1900, he is an old boy of King Edward’s School, where he obtained Soccer colours during the period before his school reverted to the handling code. Sheppard’s interests were more for Rugby, and he played several games while in the Army at Plymouth. On returning to civilian life he very soon gained a place in Bath ‘A,’ and did so well that after only eight games he was promoted to the first team, and has held his place ever since with the exception of the two seasons of his ‘retirement.’ Playing for Bath in 1919, he gained his Bath cap in the season 1919-20, was selected for Somerset, and gained his county cap in the season 1921-22. Altogether he has played nearly 20 games for Somerset, and was in the side which won the County Championship in 1922-23. In the season of 1923-24 he led the Somerset pack, and was also selected for the combined West of England team v South Wales. At the end of the 1924-25 season W.H. announced his retirement, and took no part in first class Rugby for two years, although he played a few games for the Bath Old Edwardians, a club he was largely instrumental in forming. Last season, however, he returned to the Bath Club, regained his place in the 1st.XV, and showed such splendid form that, not only did he once more walk into the Somerset side, but was also selected for the combined Somerset and Gloucestershire team which opposed the Waratahs. A player of splendid physique, W.H. Sheppard is a born leader. He abounds in enthusiasm and energy, and is one of the most popular players to wear a Bath jersey. An all round sportsman, he plays cricket for Lansdown during the summer.”