Born in 1878 to his coal miner father John and mother Eliza. A coal miner himself he played for Newport RFC 1899 to 1912 and played 6 times for Wales. Often credited with being the first Welsh player to score at Twickenham, being the first Newport player to score in the game on 8th April 1911 against Harlequins (Draw 3 v 3). Played for Newport vs 1905 New Zealand, 1906 South Africa and 1908 Australia.

W. J. T. Collins in his book "Rugby Recollections" wrote:-

"E.("Beddoe") Thomas (Newport) played only six games for Wales - two in 1904, three in 1909, one in 1910. He was not showy, but for dogged, hard, unsparing work he had no superior, whether playing for his country or his club, and no man was ever more effective at the short line-out."