Bill Watkins, who played once for Glamorgan during 1950 had been awarded the DFC as a teenage pilot of Lancaster bombers during the Second World War.
He had a fine as a batsman with Swansea CC and was called up by Glamorgan during August 1950 when Gilbert Parkhouse was a late withdrawal for the match at St. Helen’s against Hampshire. Despite his late call-up Bill opened the batting with Emrys Davies against the visitor’s lively new ball attack but, as befitted someone who had taken part in 31 missions and 121 hours of sorties, many of them at night, over industrial targets in Germany during 1944, he was not overawed by the occasion.
Bill had also been a decent rugby player for Swansea RFC and his talents with the oval ball also led to trials with the Wigan rugby league team. However, he turned down offers to turn professional and remained in South Wales.
WATKINS, William Martin
Born – Swansea, 18th January 1923.
Died – Sketty, Swansea, 15th March 2005.
Best performance for Glamorgan:
First-class – 3 v Hampshire at St. Helen’s, Swansea, 1950.
| M | I | NO | RUNS | AV | 100 | 50 | CT | ST | |
| First-class | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3.00 | – | – | – | – |