Born 1883 in Virginia, County Cavan, Ireland [30]
Contractor in Three Springs, Western Australia in 1916 [50]
He and two other locals travelled from Three Springs to Perth to apply to enlist in the A.I.F. in mid August 1916 [10: 18-Aug-1916]
He was accepted for service in the Australian Imperial Force on 17 August 1916, and officially enlisted the following month [30]
Presented with a wristlet watch and tendered a farewell at a function held in Three Springs on Friday 29 September 1916 [10: 6-Oct-1916]
On enlistment was recorded as 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing 140 lbs. with blue eyes, dark brown hair and a fresh complexion [30]
As both of his parents were deceased he gave his next of kin as his brother Patrick MATTHEWS of Ballieboro, Cavan, Ireland [30]
After initial training he was appointed at Belmont on 1 November 1916 to the 7th Reinforcements of the 5th Pioneer Battalion [30]
Embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia for active service abroad on the H.M.A.T. A8 Argyllshire on 9 November 1916 [18]
Disembarked in Davenport, England and after further training in Larkhill proceeded from England to France on 5 April 1917 [30]
Private 3204 in the Australian Imperial Force's 5th Pioneer Battalion in France during the First World War [30: item 8216855]
Wounded in Action on 13 May 1917, and after treatment for wounds to his face and chest, rejoined his unit on 30 May 1917 [30]
His name appears on the Three Springs Honour Board, which was unveiled on Tuesday 3 June 1919 [9: 6-Jun-1919] [10: 13-Jun-1919]
Embarked from England on the Barambah on 3 September 1919 and disembarked back in Western Australia on 17 October 1919 [30]
Discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on 2 December 1919; received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal [30]
Labourer in Three Springs 1921-1925 [19]
Reference: Carnamah Historical Society & Museum and North Midlands Project, 'Frank Matthews' in Biographical Dictionary of Coorow, Carnamah and Three Springs, retrieved 3 October 2024 from www.carnamah.com.au/bio/frank-matthews [reference list] |
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