William Percy Matthews
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 2 Oct 1896 |
| Place of Birth | Mundijong, Western Australia |
| Death | 15 Nov 1965, aged 70 |
| Place of Death | Pinjarra, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 21 years, 7 months |
| Description |
5'6" (1.68m) tall ; 123 lbs 55.792 kg ; dark complexion ; brown eyes ; dark brown hair |
| Occupation | Jockey |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | North Dandalup, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr James Matthews |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 2368 |
| Date of Enlistment | 6 Jun 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 43rd Battalion, 4h reinforcement /11th Brigade, 3rd Divison |
| Date of Embarkation | 30 Oct 1916 ‒ 28 Dec 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A16 Port Melbourne |
| Date of Return | 3 Mar 1919 ‒ 10 Apr 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A14 Euripides |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Mundijong Honour Roll Keysbrook Roll of Honour |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Found on the list of students at Serpentine School on 21 Jan 1901.
War Service
A fortnight after entering camp, Bill was allocated to the 5th reinforcement draft for the 44th Battalion. However, on 5 Sep 1916 this was changed to the 4th draft for the 43rd Battalion. On arrival in England he was sent to the 11th Training Battalion in Durrington, before proceeding overseas on 10 Apr 1917 through Folkestone. Spent a day or two with the 3rd Australian Division Base Depot before being taken on strength by the 43rd Battalion who were at Oosthove Farm near Ploegsteert, Belgium on 13 Apr 1917.
From 15 - 19 Aug 1917 Bill was detached to the Pidgeon School, before rejoining the 43rd Battalion. From 4 Oct to 16 Oct 1917 he was sick in hospital (Vomiting). Seen first on 3 Oct 1917 by the 1st New Zealand Field Ambulance he was treated for influenza.
On 12 Apr 1918 he was remustered as a Driver, and on 13 Aug 1918 he was granted English leave, but was ill with influenza again, requiring hospital treatment on 28 Aug 1918 from the 2nd Australian Auxiliary Hospital (discharged to No 1 Command Depot on 21 Sep 1918). On 12 Oct 1918 he was admitted to Sutton Veny Military Hospital still suffering with Influenza.
While waiting for his ship home, he was again impacted by influenza during early January, and on 7 Feb 1919 he was charged with being AWOL from 4 - 5 Feb 1919 for which he was awarded 2 days Confined to Barracks, and the forfeiture of a day's pay. Discharged by the 5th Military District on 5 Jun 1919.
Post War
Married Bertha Elizabeth Hastie in the Murray district during 1922, Children were Geoffrey V (b. 1931), Noel, and Bertha F (b. 1924).
Electoral Roll entries - 1930 - 1943 a teamster living in North Dandalup; 1949 - 1958 a repairer (railways). During 1968 - 1980 Bertha had remained in Railway Parade, North Dandalup following Bill's death
In WW2 he had served in the militia as a Driver with Regimental No. W26716 from 27 Nov 1941 until 16 Nov 1943
Notes