Projects
1. Billy Spiller
Policeman and Sportsman
In 2021 the Heritage Centre led a research project to tell the story of former police officer and all-round sportsman, Billy Spiller.
Billy was born in St Fagans on 8th July 1886. In 1904, aged eighteen, he followed his father, who was also named William, and his older brother Harry into policing. In a career spanning over thirty years, Billy served in Cardiff, Hirwaun and throughout the Vale of Glamorgan.
While serving as an officer, Billy was also propelled to relative fame for his abilities both in the sports of rugby and cricket.
Between 1910 and 1913, he made ten appearances for Wales and played a role in the Grand Slam winning side of 1911. He also played club rugby for the likes of Cardiff, Glamorgan County, Glamorgan Police and Pontypridd.
At the cricket stumps he represented St Fagans and later Glamorgan at Minor and County Championship level.
Throughout his cricket career Billy scored numerous centuries but none were more important than that he scored for Glamorgan after the club’s elevation to first-class status in 1921. To mark the centenary of his record-making innings, this short video was produced using original police footage and rare photographs of Billy at various stages in his life.
Billy's fascinating story has also been recounted in a booklet written and edited by representatives from the Heritage Centre and the Museum of Welsh Cricket. Click on the link below to read the booklet today.
