COSIER, Matthew Norman
| Other Name: | Steward , Mathew Norman - WW1 Service Record |
|---|---|
| Service Numbers: | 756, 1117 |
| Enlisted: | 19 August 1914, Enlisted under the name Matthew Norman Steward (real name Matthew Norman Cosier - attested by Sworn Declaration 12 October 1918). |
| Last Rank: | Driver |
| Last Unit: | 6th Motor Transport Company |
| Born: | Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia, 1890 |
| Home Town: | Golden Square, Greater Bendigo, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Traveller |
| Memorials: | Gormandale War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 19 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 756, 7th Infantry Battalion, Enlisted under the name Matthew Norman Steward (real name Matthew Norman Cosier - attested by Sworn Declaration 12 October 1918). | |
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| 19 Oct 1914: | Involvement Lance Corporal, 756, 7th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: '' | |
| 19 Oct 1914: | Embarked Lance Corporal, 756, 7th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Hororata, Melbourne | |
| 23 Jan 1915: | Transferred AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 8th Infantry Battalion | |
| 30 Apr 1915: | Wounded AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 756, 8th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, GSW to foot. Evacuated to England. | |
| 28 Aug 1915: | Transferred AIF WW1, Driver, 2nd Divisional Ammunition Column, Given new Regimental No. 1117 | |
| 19 Nov 1917: | Transferred AIF WW1, Driver, 1st Motor Transport Company | |
| 17 Apr 1918: | Wounded AIF WW1, Driver, 1117, 1st Motor Transport Company, German Spring Offensive 1918, GSW left leg, fractured tibia. Evacuated to England. | |
| 10 Apr 1921: | Discharged AIF WW1, Driver, 1117, 6th Motor Transport Company, Medically unfit |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Larna Malone
Mathew Norman’s real name was Matthew Norman Cosier. Born in Wagga Wagga he was the son of James George & Marie Cosier. His father was deceased and his mother married James George Steward, of Devon Lodge, Golden Square. Matthew Norman used his step-father’s name when he enlisted in the Expeditionary Force.
He was Holidaying with his family in Golden Square when war was declared. He was 24 years old, and worked as a Traveller although he had previously been in business in Singapore. His previous military service was spent in the Singapore Royal Engineers/Singapore S.S. V.R.E., with the rank of sergeant. He Enlisted on 19/8/14 and arrived at Broadmeadows Camp on 21/8/14. He was allotted Service no. 756 and appointed to ‘G’ Company, 7th Battalion, as Lance-Corporal.
The 7th Battalion left Broadmeadows Camp on 18 October, 1914, and embarked for service overseas on board HMAT ‘Hororata’. Arriving in Egypt the battalion moved into camp at Mena, at the foot of the pyramids. (6/12/14)
In January, 1915, the Australian force was re-organized. Matthew Norman Steward was transferred to the 8th Battalion (23/1/15)
On 2nd April, 1915, Matthew Norman wrote a letter home. “Orders just out. Much excitement in the camp. We move out for the front in 24 hours. Everybody is busy in packing up. We are after the Turks, and are informed that the job we are on is to be a tough affair, and one that is given to very highly-trained men of the British army. We are to effect a landing under fire, and fight our way into the particular place we are going. The colonel asked any man who is a bit afraid to say so, and he would make arrangements for him, as there are plenty of reinforcements only too anxious to be with us. Just imagine the reception that got after our waiting so long and dying for a scrap.” [Bendigo Advertiser May 22, 1915]
The 8th Battalion was part of the force which landed at Anzac Cove on 25th April, 1915. Matthew Norman Steward was Wounded on 30/4/15, sustaining a GSW to his foot.
He did not return to the 8th Battalion but was appointed a Motor Transport Driver with 2nd DAC (28/8/15) with the Regimental Number 1117. On 5/11/17 he was with 1st Aust Army Troop Coy Engineers. He was wounded on 18/4/18, sustaining a GSW to his left leg. He assumed his true name by sworn declaration on 12/10/18. He RTA on 6/11/18 and remained on the strength of the AIF until 1921.
“The First Lot. 7th Battalion. The first men of the Bendigo district to volunteer for service in the First World War.”: Larna Malone
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