Emily Valentine

Valentine, born in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Ireland on 14 March 1878, was the youngest of six brothers and sisters, as the daughter of William John Valentine, a teacher of classics, and Grace Valentine (nee Dalton).^[3][4][5] She played her first match of rugby union at the Portora Royal School, three years after her father William Valentine was named Assistant Headmaster.^[5] According to her memoirs, in the winter of 1887, she removed her hat and overcoat to play alongside her two brothers (William, aged 16, and John, aged 10 or 11)^[6] as their team was a man short.^[3][5][7] Valentine first kicked place, but then scored a try in her first game after moving to the wing alongside her brothers in the backline.^[5][7] Valentine would continue to participate with the team in practices and intra-school matches according to the school's records which also includes correspondence from Valentine in 1951.^[5]

Valentine moved to South Africa in the late 19th century.^[1] She became a nurse and changed her name to Galway after marrying military doctor Major John Galeway OBE in 1909.^[3][5] Valentine moved to India until about 1915^[3] (and possibly Canada)^[6] before settling in England.^[5][8]