The Black and Ambers will play the former British Army champions at Rodney Parade on Wednesday, September 30, at 7.15pm.
The Rodney Parade side’s historian Mike Dams explained: “Ex-Welsh Guards Major Julian Peel Yates OBE, grandson of Stanley Horatio Williams, a former Newport RFC, England and British Lions full-back, was the driving force behind the match.
“Julian made contact with us back in 2013 and visited Rodney Parade to donate various items of memorabilia associated with his famous grandfather.
“This first visit led to discussions about Stanley’s distinguished military service.
“He served in the Royal Field Artillery in World War I where he was a Battery Captain on the Somme in the 38th (Welsh) Division providing gunnery support for 1st Battalion Welsh Guards. In 11 months from 1916 to 1917 he was awarded a Distinguished Service Order with three mentions in despatches before being invalided home after being gassed twice at Ypres and Passchendaele.
“(With the Welsh Guards celebrating their 100th anniversary this year) it was felt that it would be appropriate to hold a match at Rodney Parade between Newport RFC, the team that Julian’s grandfather played for with such distinction, and the Welsh Guards.” Stanley made 143 appearances for Newport between 1904-1911. He was Welsh-born and had a Welsh trial in 1909, but never played for his native country.
A Black and Ambers vice-captain in 1909/10, he played in three Test matches for the Lions team in South Africa in 1910 while still uncapped.
Eligible for England, he made his debut for them the following year, the first of his four caps coming in a defeat to Wales at St Helens.
During the Great War, on Saturday, April 17, 1915, a ‘military international’ was played at Cardiff Arms Park between a Wales XV and the Barbarians, which resulted in a 26-10 victory for the latter.
The match was arranged to boost recruitment for the newly formed Welsh Guards and to raise money for the war effort.
In addition to the match the band of Welsh guards will be playing music prior to kick off, with the choir signing a selection of sings whilst wearing bearskin and tunics. There will also be a number of armoured vehicles in attendance and numerous displays of equipment and kit.
Tickets for the encounter on September 30 are £5, £1 for children and free for Newport and Newport Gwent Dragons season ticket holders.
The Black and Ambers are also offering every club in the region ten tickets to attend without charge.
The Welsh Guards are set to receive the freedom of the city later this month.
