Stepping out onto a rugby field for your country takes a certain type of character, but stepping out into an onslaught of bullets on the battlefield takes something else entirely.

Not a lot of people do both.

By now, most people in Wales will have probably heard about the battle that took place at Mametz Wood during the First World War.

It was a brutal and bloody fight in France that claimed the lives of thousands of Welsh solidiers.

But it was on the first day of the battle that a Wales rugby international - along with around 5,000 others - heroically gave his life for his country.

Sergeant-Major Edward John Richard Thomas - better known as Dick Thomas - died on July 7, 1916.

He was just 32 years old.

"He was killed leading his men over the top into a hail of bullets," said 83-year-old Sid Robling, who is Dick's great nephew.

Dick Thomas in 1906

The battle

Eight days of fighting saw the 38th Welsh Division suffer heavy losses in a bid to capture the French wood, which was one of the largest on the Somme - the location of a battle that would last months.

The Welsh division was tasked with driving German troops out of the wood.

And after days of losses and bloody struggle, they did.

Mr Robling, who was born in Porth and now lives in Llanharan, explained that he believes his great uncle was one of the first men to be killed at the battle of Mametz Wood.

He added: "The Germans had mounted fixed line machine guns - they were well dug in - the Welsh brigade took a battering that day.

"Dick Thomas led the van, I think he was one of the first to be killed.

"The Welsh lost about 5,000 men on the day in that attack, but they took the woods days later.

"But a great loss of life."

Painting that depicts the Battle of Mametz Wood between July 7 and July 12, 1916
A painting that depicts the Battle of Mametz Wood between July 7 and July 12, 1916

Life before the war

Before Dick enlisted in the army, he was a sergeant in the "old Glamorgan police force".

Mr Robling said: "He gave up the police to enlist in the Welsh Regiment, during the war.

"He had no need to go to France, being a policeman. But he went.

"He was made sergeant major quite soon after joining because of his experience with the Glamorgan police. He was able to handle men, because of his experience with the police."

The family often told tales of Dick, and Mr Robling said he was always described as "tough" and bit of a "joker".

He added: "There was always a photograph in my auntie's house up in the Rhondda."

But Dick was probably most well known for his rugby career - playing at club level for Mountain Ash RFC among others.

It was 10 years prior to his death that Dick was called up to collect his first cap for Wales. In 1906, he became Welsh rugby's 213th international player in a game against South Africa.

He went on to win four caps for his country.

From what he'd heard about his great uncle, Mr Robling said: "He was a fine rugby player, a hard man, he could take a bump and give one - a typical strong Welsh forward."

Edward John Richard Dick Thomas who played for Mountain Ash RFC and Wales who fell in Mametz Wood in 1916
Edward John Richard 'Dick' Thomas who played for Mountain Ash RFC and Wales who fell in Mametz Wood in 1916

Honouring the soldiers

Mr Robling was also involved with the military and remembers his National Service fondly. He said: "I was with the Welsh - great regiment - I enjoyed my time in the national service immensely."

And he'll be joining more than 2,200 armed forces veterans and supporters from across the world in travelling to France and Belgium.

The event will echo the way the Legion commemorated the 10th anniversary of the conflict in 1928 - with a pilgrimage to honour the First World War soldiers.

A series of tours to First World War trenches, battlefields and cemeteries, which started on Sunday, August 5 will culminate with a two-mile march to Ypres’ Menin Gate on Wednesday, August 8 , featuring 1,100 standard bearers and 1,100 wreath layers.

A service of commemoration will take place under the Gate and will include readings from the UK’s Ambassador to Belgium and the Archbishop of York, with hundreds of wreaths being laid containing messages written by school children from across the UK.

Mr Robling added: "We're going to the ceremony, I just wanted to be there.

"I'm going to wear my beret with great pride."

For details on the event, visit The Royal British Legion Website .