Tasker Watkins

Sir Tasker Watkins was a distinguished Welsh jurist, rugby administrator, and British Army officer who served with distinction during the Second World War. Serving in the infantry, his extraordinary bravery in the face of the enemy earned him the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the British and Commonwealth armed forces. His wartime leadership and actions in August 1944 established him as a legendary figure.

Following the war, Watkins embarked on an illustrious career in the legal profession. He rose to become a Lord Justice of Appeal and served as the deputy Lord Chief Justice, earning a Knight Bachelor appointment and later being appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire. His contributions to public life and the law made him one of the most respected figures in Wales.

In addition to his legal and military achievements, Watkins was a prominent figure in sports administration, serving as the President of the Welsh Rugby Union from 1993 to 2004. Widely revered throughout his homeland, he was often described as 'The Greatest Living Welshman' prior to his passing.