James Albert Lawrence Matthews
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | Not known |
| Place of Birth | Toodyay, Western Australia |
| Death | 17 Sep 1916 |
| Place of Death | 8th Australian General Hospital, Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 23 years old |
| Description |
5'8" (1.m) tall ; 123lbs 55.792 kg ; fresh complexion ; brown eyes ; dark brown hair |
| Occupation | Jockey |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | NOK 221 James street, Perth |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Madge Thelma Matthews |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 2369 |
| Date of Enlistment | 15 May 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 43rd Battalion, 4th Reinforcement |
| Fate | Did not leave Australia |
| Monument |
Keysbrook Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial |
Contents
Pre War
War Service
Entered Belmont camp on 15 May 1916 and began his training with the 68th Depot Company. On 19 May 1916 James was absent from a Commanding Officer's Parade without good reason and was admonished. Two days later, on 21 May 1916 Janes was charged with being Drunk, and for Absenting himself from Hospital without leave for 4 hours. For this he was fined 5/- (50 cents), and forfeited 1 days pay. On 8 Jun 1916 James was again charged with AWOL, this time from 7:00pm on 8 Jun 1916 until 7:00am on 9 Jun 1916. Fined 5/- (50 cents). Again on 17 Jun 1916, James was in trouble for being drunk in camp - fined 2/6d (25 cents) and forfeit of a day's pay. On 19 Jun 1916 he was again drunk in the camp, and was absent from a parade at 7:00am. He was also charged with Fouling lines. Total fines amounted to 30/- ($3.00)
On 20 Jun 1916 he was allocated to the 22nd reinforcement draft for the 11th Battalion, and a week later was transferred to the 5th reinforcement draft for the 44th Battalion. On 4 Jul 1916 James was charged with being Drunk in Murray street, Perth at 9:50pm on 4 Jul 1916 when he was arrested by Military Police. This time he copped a fine of 5/- and was Confined to Barracks for 7 days.
James was reallocated again on 5 Sep 1916, this time to the 4th reinforcement draft for the 43rd Battalion. On 18 Aug 1916 he was charged with 'Being on closed remises, to wit, the Perth Central Railway Station until apprehended by Military Police at 3:00am on 18 Aug 1916. Fined 10/- for his troubles.
On 11 Sep 1916 James was admitted to the 8th Australian General Hospital, suffering with influenza and he died there at noon on 17 Sep 1916.
Notes