N. Williams played one First Grade game for Wests in 1914. Identifying this player had proven problematic. However, rugby league historian, Tony McCarron was able to find related news reports which connected this player’s game and life history. He was able to be identified as Nelson Wilton Williams.
Nelson Williams was born in 1894, at Brewarrina in the far north west of New South Wales. His father was a Baker and by 1897 the family had moved to Sydney. They were living near Hyde Park in the city centre.
Soon after the Williams family settled in the Ashfield district and it was here that Nelson learned to play rugby league.
Nelson’s military file from 1916 records him as being just under 5ft 4inches tall (1.62m) and weighing 140lbs (63.5kg).
