MATTHEWS Roland John

Additional information on the memorial: 13th Batt Australian Imperial Forces.

Roland Matthews enlisted as a Private in the Australian Imperial Force on 12th July 1916 at Sydney, New South Wales.  On his attestation paper he gave his place of birth as Alvechurch, Worcestershire, England, his age as 26 years 3 months, and his occupation as a carpenter and joiner.  He was 5 feet 2½ inches tall with a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and light brown hair.  Roland left Sydney on 8th November 1916, disembarking at Devonport, England on 10th January 1917.  He was posted to France, departing from Folkestone on 28th February 1917.  On 17th October 1917 he was wounded in action, receiving shell wounds to his right thigh and left buttock.  After initial treatment in France he was transferred to England and admitted to the 9th Canadian General Military Hospital at Shorncliffe, Whitstable on the 24th October.  Roland died of his wounds on 2nd January 1918 in the Tankerton Military Hospital, Whitstable, Kent, England.

Australian Service Records accessed via:
https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/
Reference: Barcode 8030270 Series Accession No B2455 Location: Canberra

The following information has been researched and transcribed by Jeff Taylor:
Cofton Common Soldier Dies, Funeral at Alvechurch
Mr and Mrs Richard Matthews, Poolbank, Northfield, formerly of Cofton, have received the sad news of the death of their youngest son, 6865, Private Roland John (Lal) Matthews, who was dangerously wounded by gunshot in October last. They visited him in Tankerton Hospital, Kent, in November, and saw a marked improvement in him during their stay. However, on 2 January a sudden relapse occurred, caused by a third attack of haemorrhage, from which he never regained consciousness, passing away in half-an-hour after being carried back to his ward. His body was returned home to Poolbank, Northfield, for private burial at Alvechurch on the 8th January 1918. The coffin was carried shoulder high and covered with the Union Jack and flowers. The Funeral Service was conducted by the Rector (Archdeacon Peile). Deceased was accorded full military honours on removal from hospital to Whitstable Station.
Private Matthews, formerly a chorister at Hopwood Church, Worcestershire, emigrated to Australia in 1912. In July 1916 he joined the forces there, and landed in England in January 1917, where he completed his military training, proceeding to France in February of that year. The deceased’s brother who is also in the Australian Imperial Forces, has received permanent injuries from wounds received in action, and is now on his way home to Australia. His eldest brother, Richard, is serving in the Royal Engineers.