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Delme Thomas is remembered most for being carried off shoulder-high with both arms triumphantly raised after leading Llanelli to victory over New Zealand at Stradey Park (1972). He was the Llanelli captain in 1972-73 and was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1974. He played in 44 matches on three Lions tours, firstly while still uncapped in 1966 to Australia (3 games) and NZ (14 games inc 2 tests), though one test was amazingly as a prop forward. Next he toured South Africa in 1968 (12 games, inc 2 tests with one being as a replacement prop. The third tour was in 1971 to Australia (1 game) and NZ (14 games, inc 3 tests with one as a replacement lock. He captained Wales in a defeat by NZ (1972) and toured with Wales to NZ/Australia/Fiji (1969) and Canada (1973). He appeared for Llanelli against NZ (1963) and Australia (1967); Western Counties against Fiji (1964); West Wales against NZ (1967); Barbarians against Fiji (1970) and England-Wales v Scotland-Ireland (1970). He was educated at St Clears School, playing for St Clears and Felinfoel Youth sides, gaining two Youth caps (1961). He was with Carmarthen Athletic before joining Llanelli in 1961 and he played until 1975 making 452 appearances. He finished with a few games for Llandybie and became a member of the Gorsedd of the Bards at the National Eistedfodd (2000). He worked as a linesman for the Electricity Board.
