- Date of Birth18 / 05 / 1897
- Died22 / 01 / 1980
- Lions Tours1924
- International CapsEngland / Lions
- Lions Origins ClubsGloucestershire, Richmond, Barbarians, British Army, Blackheath, Gloucester Rugby, Cheltenham
“The King of Gloucester” Tom Voyce was arguably the finest back row in the British Isles when he set off with Dr Ronald Cove-Smith’s 1924 British & Irish Lions.
He made 218 Gloucester appearances and scored 54 tries in his Kingsholm career playing every single match of England’s 1921, 1923 and 1924 Grand Slam triumphs – a fact made even more remarkable given he seriously damaged his eye in World War One.
But what truly singled Voyce out as special was the versatility he displayed on South Africa’s hard grounds.
Springbok captain Pieter Albertyn dubbed him as the Lions “second-best wing”. Gloucester’s favourite son kicked five conversions and scored six tries – one of which came in the third Test against South Africa.
Voyce went on to be awarded an OBE, was President of the Rugby Football Union in 1960 and President of Gloucester between 1970 and 1978.
His great nephew, also called Tom Voyce, played internationally for England in the 2000s.
He made 218 Gloucester appearances and scored 54 tries in his Kingsholm career playing every single match of England’s 1921, 1923 and 1924 Grand Slam triumphs – a fact made even more remarkable given he seriously damaged his eye in World War One.
But what truly singled Voyce out as special was the versatility he displayed on South Africa’s hard grounds.
Springbok captain Pieter Albertyn dubbed him as the Lions “second-best wing”. Gloucester’s favourite son kicked five conversions and scored six tries – one of which came in the third Test against South Africa.
Voyce went on to be awarded an OBE, was President of the Rugby Football Union in 1960 and President of Gloucester between 1970 and 1978.
His great nephew, also called Tom Voyce, played internationally for England in the 2000s.