No.300235, Rifleman, Frederick Montague Leslie MATTHEWS
Aged 19
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Born on 17th July 1896 (3rd qtr BRENTFORD 3a:80) son of Frederick and Frances Caroline MATTHEWS (née NOBLE). Baptised 9th October 1896 at St.Stephen
East Twickenham when resident "Broad Oak" Stables, Cambridge Park when father was steward of Lord Cadogan.
1901 census...None found in this census.... father Frederick MATHEWS, born Mattingley, Hants, his mother Frances Caroline born Clapham 1911 census...Aged 14, he was a boarder at Framlingham College [1909-1912]. His parents (father steward for Lord Cadogan.)were at 56 Fornham Road, Bury St.Edmunds. His father died in 1918. His mother Frances was at 89 Avenue Road, Acton on the pension card. She re-married in 1919 to Edgard D JOHNSON |
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He enlisted in Ealing. Given that he arrived in BEF on 4th November is maybe that his relatives failed to claim the clasp to his 1914 Star. His earlier number of 9923 indicates joining after Dec 1913 and before 6th August 1914. 23rd June 1917, Bury Free Press :- BURY PARENTS LOSE THEIR ONLY SON -It is our melancholy duty to record the death of Lance Corpl. F.M.L (Leslie) Matthews of the London Rifle Brigade, which distressing occurrence took place possibly as long ago as July 2 1916. For some months the gallant young Lance-Corpl has been posted as missing, but recently his parents have been officially notified that he was reported to have been killed on or since the date mentioned. A sad feature of his death is that he was the only child of his parents Mr.and Mrs.Matthews of 58 Fornham Road, Bury St.Edmunds, with whom real and deep sympathy is felt in the town. His age as 19. Lance-Corpl Matthews was a favourite with all who knew him, possessing a bright and happy disposition, which won him a large circle of friends. His parents have received numerous ;letters from regimental comrades and officers which testify as to his popularity. The deceased soldier volunteered his service very early in the war. At the time he took part in the attack which had a fatal termination for him, he had seen twenty months service in France, during which period he experienced many exciting and hairbreadth escapes. Lance-Corpl Matthews was educated at Mr.Martyn's School, Bury and Framlingham College. He became a cadet in the Officers Training Corps. On leaving college he entered the firm of Messrs Clement and Talbot's, motor engineers. Upon the outbreak of war he enlisted in the L.R.Brigade and proceeded to France on November 1st 1914 and went straight into the trenches and took part in his first battle in December of the same year. He was one of the few survivors that came through the Battle of Ypres in April 1915, being the only soldier in his section to do so. He was home on leave in may 1916 and returned to France apparently quite cheerful and happy. On the night of July 1st he went out in charge of a party of bombers. A German mine was sprung and nothing was known of the fate of the party until next morning when the enemy threw over into the British lines three dummy rifle grenades, each bearing a message attached, one of which read:"Second Corpl Matthews T.R.B. taken prisoner mortally wounded, since died, and has been buried in a cemetery behind our line". The ground upon which fighting on that occasion took place has since fallen into British hands and Lance-Corpl Matthew's grave has been found in a much battered, shell ridden graveyard with a white cross, bearing the date of burial,2/7/16, number, name and regiment. The parents have received the following letter from his officer:- Beresford Lodge, Birchington 16th August 1916. Dear Mrs Matthews - Your letter was duly forwarded to me here, where I have come to convalescence. Your son Lance-Corpl Matthews had just returned to the Company from the Machine Gun Corps when we were in the middle of preparing for the attack. As he was a splendid bomber, and as I was Company Bombing Officer I placed him in charge of the Bombing Section of No.4 Platoon.It was this Section that he headed during the attack.I am afraid, and deeply regret to have to admit it, that I have had no news of your son at all since July 1st.I do hope you will soon hear one way or the other, as the suspense must be very terrible for you. He was a splendid fellow, and I was sorry to lose him even, as I believed, temporarily from my Platoon. Please accept my sincerest sympathy. As several of our men are prisoners, your son may be one of them.I should be very pleased if you would let me know should you have any news- Believe me, yours very sincerely B.L.F. Pocock Lieut.L.R.B. A check has been made of the International Red Cross Prisoner of War records, but Frederick has not been found there.
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