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War Memorial
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Distinguished Service Order

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer commanded his battalion in an attack, previous to which he had reconnoitred the jumping off ground, and throughout all the arrangements and dispositions. During the attack he moved about under heavy fire, keeping in touch with the situation, directing and controlling the men, and by prompt action in altering dispositions, minimized the losses from shell fire.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15
Date: 4 February 1919

From Ballarat & District in the Great War

Major Leslie William Matthews DSO

You learn a lot about a man on the battlefield. That is the “stuff” men are socially expected to be made of – the bravery, the mischief, the ingenuity, the strength, the stoicism. If you are fortunate enough to read letters written by those same men, you are given a deeper understanding of their ability to articulate what they were experiencing. However, just occasionally you are given a rare glimpse into the innermost thoughts of an individual. That was certainly the case with Les Matthews – a man who could encapsulate in a few words more than most could in a thousand.

Born at Maryborough, Victoria, on 11 February 1888, Leslie William Matthews was the eldest of nine children born to James David Matthews and Jane Reeves. Whilst both families had long connections to the Amherst district, their origins varied somewhat – the Matthews family had come to Australia from Cambridgeshire in England, whilst the Reeves clan haled from Devon.

The death of David Matthew’s father and Jane’s mother, saw the young family return to the Talbot-Amherst district following Les’ birth. David continued working in the district goldmines and they lived in the original Matthews family home at White Horse Reef. It was there that the couple’s next six children were born. Amongst those arrivals, was Les’ younger brother, Jack, who would also later serve in the AIF.

Les began his education at the Amherst State School. It was an interesting time for the young lad – he was figuratively the “man of the house” when his father travelled to the Western Australian goldfields hoping to strike it rich. The venture was short-lived, however, and David returned luckless to Amherst.

Gold mining is a fickle beast, as fickle as luck. And, as that luck would have it, David’s return to Amherst resulted in an unexpected discovery. On 1 June 1897, within days of the birth of his daughter, Ruth, he and his best mate and brother-in-law, Bill Reeves, came across a rocky outcrop that was to become one of the richest gold producing reefs in the area. The pair named their claim Jubilee Reef in honour of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee of the same year.

The reef eventually played out, but not before the two men amassed a considerable fortune. They both continued to chase further gold prospects, before David settled his family in Ararat.

Having completed his primary education at the Ararat State School, Les turned to student teaching as a career path. He passed the State School teaching exam, before taking posts at Ararat, Beaufort and at the Pleasant Street State School in Ballarat.

After several years teaching, Les found that this was not the profession he wanted to devote his life to. In 1910, he “retired” from the Education Department and travelled to Western Australia, where he became Area Officer for the Citizen Forces at Boulder.

Returning to Victoria, Les enrolled at the Ballarat School of Mines. There he studied a course in municipal engineering – including surveying, geology, and minerology.
The war had been raging in Europe for over six months when Les Matthew’s made the decision to apply for a commission in the AIF. His younger brother, Jack, had already joined up on 14 September 1914 and had sailed for Egypt with the 14th Infantry Battalion.

Les had a substantial amount of experience in the citizen forces and held the rank of captain with the 73rd Infantry of the Victorian Rangers. He was still in the midst of his SMB course in civil engineering, but more importantly, he was in love with a young woman from Ballarat: Nell Tucker. The daughter of a local hydropathist, Ellen Edith Tucker was Ballarat born, and was living with her parents in Wendouree Parade when she met Les Matthews.

Having carefully weighed up the situation, Les applied for a commission in the AIF on 17 March 1915. He provided multiple certificates in infantry, map reading, field engineering, and Light Horse to support his application and signed off as the Area Officer of the training area 71B at Ballarat.

His application also involved passing the required medical examination. Major Archibald Campbell, with the Australian Army Medical Corps, added Les’ physical details to the application – he was 5-feet 10½-inches in height and weighed 11-stone. His chest measurement was within the guidelines and he had normal eyesight.

On 24 March 1915 Les Matthews was appointed to the AIF with the rank of captain.

He immediately took to keeping a small pocket diary and his entries began to provide the most appealing insight into his everyday life. On 12 April he left Ballarat making his way to Broadmeadows to join the 23rd Battalion. On his way there he purchased the necessary the necessary gear at a Melbourne store and arrived in time to meet his company commander, have French lessons and take in that the ground of the camp was in a bad state after heavy rain.

Knowing that he was going to war raised many matters for Les. Most importantly was his relationship with Nell. On 20 April, he returned to Ballarat with things clear in his mind. The following day he entered the events in his diary.

‘…With N. in Perry Park. Lovely afternoon. Talk re marriage. Settle that night. Tea with N. in the kitchen. Quiet, happy tea. Arranged that marriage to take place on 5th May. Darling N…’

The next day was to be a very special for both Les and Nell.

‘…Brought engagement at Joneses. Saw Mr Tucker. Gave ring to N. Tears in her eyes. Happiness & joy as well as sadness at my going to the front. Bed fairly early – thoughts of N…’
When the engagement was announced on 24 April, it was made clear that, with Les soon to leave for the Front, it was to be of a short duration.

The wedding was set for the 30 April. On the morning of the ceremony, Les had several things to deal with.

‘…Wedding Day. Rush around to fix up matters. Fell off Joneses bike – cut face & eye blackened…’

It was not an ideal start. Everything else, however, went beautifully. Reverend A. P. Bladen conducted the service at the Tucker family home on Wendouree Parade at 1:30 in the afternoon. A photograph of the wedding breakfast was taken before the newly married couple prepared to leave for their honeymoon.

‘…Catch Geelong train. Parents & friends see us off. Everything passes off well. Arrive at Geelong. Stay at Sydney Hotel. Happy times. Dear Nell. Pleased with hotel…’

Ten days later, Les had to say goodbye to his Nell. He boarded HMAT Euripides at Port Melbourne on 10 May and sailed out through the heads on his way to Egypt.

After docking at Alexandria on 12 June, Les went straight into camp in command of B Company of the 23rd Infantry Battalion.

Les was still training in Egypt when rumours began to surface that his 20 year-old brother, Jack, who was a second-lieutenant with the 14th Battalion, had been killed in action at Lone Pine. It was a terrible time of uncertainty and sadness for Les, who first received word on 16 August.

‘…Heard that Jack had been killed in assault during previous week. Rev Bladen [the minister who had performed Les and Nell’s marriage] called for me to come into his tent – had been told by QMS Loveridge who saw 14th Bttn man in Heliopolis. Man said Jack had been killed in the advance on Hill 971 on left of position. As rumours of men killed have been found to be without foundation I have hope that Jack is safe… Feel rumours about Jack. Hope everything alright…’
The following morning it was clear that the worry was getting to Les.
‘…Slept badly. Couldn’t help thinking of Jack. Capt Bladen could not hear any definite news of Jack. Hopes of Jack being alright…14th Btn heard rumours that all C Coy Officers 14th Btn had been killed – Jack’s Coy. Could hardly carry out work with Coy at night. Still only rumours. Lt Jacques reported for duty – had heard of Jack being killed while he was in Alexandria. Tossed and turned before I got to sleep. Poor old Jack…’

With no news of his brother, Les began checking for himself – he went to hospitals and spent hours looking for Jack and asking for information. On 23 August, when it became obvious that the rumours were true, he took the painful step of writing to his family.

‘…Wrote home. Felt that I couldn’t write as I feel certain that Jack has been killed. Wrote to Nell also at night. Dear Nell – it will cause her some anxiety when she hears about Jack…’

The most difficult thing for Les was being unable to share his grief personally with his family. The notes in his diary showed how he was dealing with his loss, ‘…continually thinking of happy times Jack & I had spent together. Dear Mother. It’s the loved ones who have to suffer…’

On 26 August, Les travelled into Cairo to mail some photos to Nell. While there he ‘got a cable from Nell about Jack. Sent from Ararat. She must be up home. I was just going to cable and dreaded it. Dear Mum…’

Shortly before Les began his own journey to Gallipoli, he was appointed to the rank of major. On 30 August, he arrived in Alexandria with the full complement of the 23rd Battalion. The majority of the 23rd boarded the transport Haverford, but Les and his company, along with General J. G. Legge and Headquarters staff, men of the 21st Battalion and other Divisional units, boarded the transport Southland.

Before sailing, Les received official confirmation that his brother, Jack, had been killed on 8 August. The brief entry in his diary was entered without elaboration.

They sailed at around 5pm and Les remarked, ‘…Hope last of Egypt & sand, dust & heat…’ He continued in his diary, ‘…Sea very smooth. Other transports ahead & astern. Bed early. Dead tired…’ It had certainly been a long and emotional day.

It is definitely best to leave the description of the next few days at sea to Les himself.

On 31 August, ‘…Up about 8:15. Best & longest sleep for months. Jolly warm though as I have lower cabin and away from port hole. Coy supplying submarine guard. Received cholera injection afternoon…Good meals for men & officers. Feel tired again. Get to bed early and read letters from home & Nell again. Dear Nell…’

The next day, ‘…Got up after 8. Lovely to have a ‘lay in’…wrote to Nell after dinner. Read through her letters as I wrote. Dear old Nell. Am writing her a nice long letter. Got to bed about 11 o’clock…’

At that stage everything was proceeding smoothly. However, on the 2 September, the Southland was going to be caught up in a major dramatic event. And Les Matthews had a front row view as it all unfolded…

‘…Torpedoed by submarine about 9:45am right forward. Saw torpedo coming about 200 feet off on port-side…waiting for the explosion. Coy assembled & behaved splendidly. No5 Platoon stuck to post as Submarine Guard magnificently. About 11 I sent them aft. Other platoons 7 & 5 I got away at intervals. No6 was on Submarine Guard right aft. Some were sent away in first boats. Stayed till last boat launched and Hospital Ship ‘Neuralia’ came alongside. Went down gangway onto one of her boats about 12:15pm.

Saw Grieves & McLean of my Coy badly hit. Told off some men to look after them. Can hear nothing of Mr Jacques or Mr Main. Am afraid Jacques has been drowned as he was one of the first away & the boat capsized. Hope he is alright. Cannot hear anything definite about Mr Main. Some of my men say they saw him helping one of the wounded into a boat. Mr Atkinson & Mr MacDonald worked like Britons in getting away the collapsible boats aft…Chief officer, another officer and one of the crew were with us aft launching the boats. Some of the crew I’m sorry to say did not show to advantage. Saw one shot. I had a roll call of my Coy – 86 all ranks – on the Neuralia…

Am comfortable now in a cabin with Majors Bateman & Forbes of 23rd. Men are all supplied with blankets and are asleep. We have been looked after splendidly. Most of men have no uniform or very little. Some have been in the water when their boat capsized. I tried to get a box of bullion off the ‘Southland’ but was too heavy to get down the gangway. Ship’s officer said it had better be left – there were two boxes in our boat…when I went into my cabin just before leaving I took Nell’s letters, letter or part of one I had written to her yesterday, letters to Cis, Aunt Jessie…made sure I had Nell’s photo with me, got Coy roll and took haversack, books, and pack also rug – only have rug and haversack now. Last I saw of other things were floating about in water in hospital boat. Took my boots off earlier and put sand shoes on.

As soon as I saw the torpedo strike – or rather heard the explosion – I watched the track of the torpedo until it was right up to the ship. I rushed to my cabin – put on the lifebelts and although I didn’t waste any time I found 7 & 5 Platoons had fallen in on their parade ground. It was an act of providence that they were not struck in a more vital spot otherwise we would have had an awful casualty list. The ‘Neuralia’ was the first boat alongside and it was 12 o’clock when she arrived.

It was a sight never to be forgotten – to see warships, destroyers and transports hurrying to the scene. It was pitiful to see some of the men in the water crying out for help, some on pieces of grating, others clinging to wreckage, etc. Then to see the boat loads being picked up by our ships. Destroyers cruised around for several hours picking up men. I think our casualties will be small… Dear Nell…’

Les’ thoughts over the ensuing days were often of Nell – as the casualties were identified and the sadness became overwhelming, he wrote as if he was speaking to his wife. He was also aware of the ‘men [being] rather nervy about submarines’ when they finally left Lemnos on 7 September. The good news was that both his mates, Main and Jacques, had turned up unscathed.

Nine days after leaving Egypt, Les finally landed at ANZAC Cove on 8 September. They arrived around midnight in a barge and a guide led them through to Rest Valley, where they bivouacked in the open.

Within hours, Les was out checking over the Australian positions around Lone Pine. As he was quickly to realise, they ‘…live like animals here…’

The juxtaposition of it ‘being weird in fire trenches with bullets whistling around’ and ‘flies pretty bad,’ plus an ironic complaint about the constant shelling (‘Turks might let us have tea in peace’) showed how quickly Les settled into life at Gallipoli.

On 12 September, Les noted, ‘…Went into firing line at 10am – relieved past 7th & 4th Pltn. Went around position with Capt Simpson
4th Ptn had little sleep last night. Bombing & rifle fire keeps one awake… Turks shelled Lone Pine…shells struck overhead cover. Smothered in dust. Not nice sight seeing men cut up being carried out on stretchers. Took over. Practically no reserve of bombs & amm. Had to arrange for supply. Turks got rather cheeky until we bombed back. The supply of Egyptian bombs in my Sec. were practically useless – not 25% bursting…

The following day, ‘…Everything quiet. Sniping & bombing. One soon gets used to bullets & shells whistling around… Feel like pigs. Biscuits very hard. Bully beef gets very monotonous. Wonder what Nell would think if she could see me now. Puts one in mind of a rabbit warren…’

Les was quick to decide that ‘trench warfare is rotten,’ and recognised the strain on his men, although they ‘work splendidly.’ He remarked a number of times that the ‘75’s are deadly.’

The daily diary entries continued over the coming weeks. On 29 November made a particular long and significant entry.

‘…A never to be forgotten day. Lone Pine very heavily shelled by Turks – started about 9:30am. Heavy fort guns firing shells up to 2cwt, 9.2 inch, also 8.2’s, 75’s, heavy howitzers, Hotchkiss, broomstick bombs and a heavy iron bomb. Place just an inferno – ground continually rocking with the explosions of the shells – great lumps of earth weighing sometimes over 1cwt thrown into the air, sandbags tossed about like feathers, trenches levelled and men being buried in all directions. Saps A & B blown in. LP.14 both entrances blown in. Latrines levelled. Communication trenches filled in. My Headquarters blown in. Ammunition and bombs covered up. Phone smashed – no communication with Btn Hd Qrs possible. A Coy’s phone and Hd Qrs wrecked.

Shell came in while I was going down into the tunnel to inspect the bombs. Covered me with earth. Got through the end of the tunnel into dressing station where I rested. Another shell almost blew dressing station up – landed a few feet away and buried men in the tunnel. Some were wounded. Shelling lasted three hours. Fully expected Turks to attack. They certainly missed an opportunity as the trenches were battered beyond recognition, but men would have fought like tigers. The awful waiting for the shell as it whistles towards one is nerve breaking.

Our Dr Green was killed by a shrapnel bullet at the 6th Field Ambulance – while at operating table – Major Johnson killed at Lone Pine also Lieuts Fogarty & Findlay 24th Bn. Lt Ross & Lt MacDonald were buried…My Coy – four men killed – thirteen wounded or buried and evacuated. Several bad through shock and burial but not sent away. Did not have more than 25 men in Lone Pine at time fortunately for my Coy. Experience something awful. Everyone would prefer to go over the parapets…’

As talk of evacuation began to circulate, Les was definitely feeling the strain. He got urgent letters away to Nell, and even sent her a cable. She was definitely the single thing that got him through the ordeal.

His work during this period did not go unnoticed and he was put forward for a decoration for ‘meritorious service during the period when the battalion was in the Lone Pine.’ Unfortunately, the High Command turned down the recommendation.

At 2am on 19 December, with Les in charge of the second party, the evacuation of ANZAC began in quiet and utmost secrecy. He finally arrived at Lemnos eight hours later.

After three months in the frontline, Les disembarked back in Alexandria on 10 January 1916. His experiences at ANZAC may have tempered his views of Egypt somewhat, but nevertheless he was probably quite glad that he was amongst the earliest of Australian troops to head to France.

The voyage across the Mediterranean on the transport Lake Michigan, from 19 to 26 March, was fortunately uneventful.

On 1 April, Les was transferred to the 22nd Infantry Battalion.

The 22nd had been on a lengthy deployment at Pozieres when Les was caught in a shell blast on 5 August. Suffering from shellshock, he was admitted to a Rest Station at Warloy. Although he recovered fully, it was decided to place him on secondment at the Acting Town Major at Steenvorde in the north of France.

Then, on 9 September, he was transferred on further secondment as the Area Commandant for the 2nd Australian Division in preparation for the winter campaign. He was out of the firing line for nearly twelve months before resuming regimental duty on 27 July 1917.

When the commander of the 22nd Battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel A. R. L. Wiltshire, was granted an extended furlough, Les Matthews took over temporary command from 1 January until 2 February 1918.

The 22nd Battalion was in the line at Ville-sur-Ancre on 19 May 1918 when Les showed his true value as a commanding officer. Prior to the attack he reconnoitred the jumping off line and supervised the moving up of the troops to their assembly positions.

The thoroughness of his planning, made under his orders and supervision, were seen to be splendidly thought out and organised. ‘…During the attack he moved round under heavy barrage fire and kept in touch with the situation. After consolidation, by personal inspection of the most advanced positions he verified reports and proved his dispositions. When losses were being suffered from shell-fire on one portion of the line, his prompt action and initiative in altering the dispositions saved further loss. His work of directing and controlling this attack was carried out under the heaviest fire. The manner in which preliminary details were arranged by this officer, the courage and resource he showed in his active supervision, and his energy and initiative in promptly dealing with the contingencies arising in the action, all contributed materially to the complete success of the operation. His disregard of personal danger and his active leadership inspired all with whom he came in contact…’

For his outstanding work, Les was awarded the Distinguished Service Order – the decoration that recognises leadership by officers – on 18 June.

The following month, Les was sent to England to undertake a course of instruction at the Senior Officers’ School at Aldershot.

In a Confidential Report made by Lieutenant-Colonel A. Blunt, of the York & Lancashire Regiment, at the conclusion of the course, Les Matthews was described in most glowing terms. ‘…Determined, cheerful; very conscientious and reliable. Very level headed. Energetic, with plenty of drive. Tactful. Smart appearance. Man of the world. Quick at learning and good at instructing. Application good. Has plenty of ideas. Good initiative and quite ready to take responsibility. Military knowledge good. Handles troops well. Good progress during course. Fit to command a Battalion…’

In response, the Commandant of the school, Brigadier-General H. W. M. Watson concurred totally. ‘…Well above the average. A most reliable officer who inspires great confidence. I agree, he is fit to command a battalion now…’

Fortunately, the war was all but over before Les could be sent back into the firing line. He was, however, mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s Special Despatch of 8 November 1918, as being ‘deserving of special mention.’

Due to his 1915 service, Les was given priority repatriation to Australia. He sailed home on 1 April 1919 onboard the transport Shropshire. When his mother heard that Les was returning, she applied for a free rail pass to Melbourne in order to meet him off the ship. She was informed that the only pass was available to his wife, which, given that she had suffered the loss of a son in the war, seems churlish and thoughtless with the passage of time.

Les arrived back in Ballarat by the evening train on Wednesday 21 May. Given how he constantly thought of his Nell throughout his time away, it can only be imagined how happy was their reunion.

Their first home together was at 106 Webster Street in Ballarat, and Les resumed his duties as Area Officer for the 71B district. His appointment in the AIF was terminated on 21 July 1919.

When their first son was born at Ballarat on 26 May 1920, he was given the honour of being named for Les’ brother – Jack Hilbert Matthews. A second son, Alan Telfer, arrived on 11 February 1923.

By this time, Les had decided that he wanted to pursue a career as a grazier. With the opening up of land for soldier settlement, Les took advantage of purchasing the substantial property “Merribogie” at Tullibigeal near West Wyalong in New South Wales.

The family grew with the arrival of their only daughter, Marjorie, on 4 January 1925, and finally James Lyndon in 1928.

As the boys grew, they helped their father on the property. Les ran a large flock of sheep over the 1629 acres and concentrated on cross-breeding Fontenoy ewes and Wallder rams.

With the outbreak of World War II, Les enlisted once again. He served with Eastern Command Recruiting Staff and as a recruiting officer in Cootamundra and Parramatta. From December 1939 until 8 May 1946, he and Nell removed to Bondi; it was to be the only time they spent away from their home at Tullibigeal.

Both Jack and Alan served with the Australian Army during the war – and both came home safely. Jack continued to help his father on Merribogie, whilst Lyndon farmed the adjacent property of “Hillview”. Alan was a bank officer in Penrith.

Soon after the end of the war it became apparent that Nell was very ill. She received specialist treatment in Sydney, and an operation at the Masonic Hospital in Ashfield. It seemed that she had rallied and was well enough to visit her two sisters in Johannesburg in 1952. When her health deteriorated during her holiday, she was advised to return to Australia for immediate treatment.

Sadly, this time there was no improvement and she died at Tullibigeal on 7 October 1953. In the early days of settlement in the West Milby and Tullibigeal districts, Nell had become an active worker for the Methodist Church, and for many years she assisted in the organising events in the district. She was widely known for her kindly and charitable disposition within the community, so it can only be imagined how devastating her death was for Les and their children.
With his customary strength, Les continued to manage Merribogie and remained there for the rest of his life. He died at Tullibigeal in October 1980 at the age of 92. Les was then buried with his beloved Nell in the Tullibigeal Cemetery.

*Special acknowledgment to the family blog that includes the transcription of Les Matthews’ diary.