Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Private Herbert Norman Matthews (Service No:67439) applied to enlist in the AIF in 1915, and was rejected on health grounds. He later enlisted on 31 May 1918, and was attached to NSW Reinforcement 25 on 7 November 1918 when he embarked with his Unit from Sydney NSW on board SS Carpentaria. On 28 November 1918, the Troopship was recalled to Sydney, and Private Matthews was Discharged on 12 December 1918.

Bert was born at 'The Farm' in Peak Hill, NSW in 1891, eleventh of twelve children of Jacob (Jake) Matthews (b1846 in Wiltshire, England) and Mary Ann Higginbotham (b1850 in Molong, NSW). Jake immigrated with his parents and siblings in 1855, arriving in Sydney NSW on board the Lloyd. He worked in the Obley and surrounding districts as a Gold Miner, Hotel Proprietor and Dairy Farmer, and he and  Mary married in Sydney in 1872. They settled at 'The Farm' in Peak Hill, where they raised their children - Jacob was Mayor, Alderman and JP, and member of  the Hospital, the Pastoral and Agricultural Committees, the Stock Board, Pastoral Protection Board, and Licensing Board and was President of the Railway League. Following Jake's death in 1906, Mary lived in Peak Hill and Sydney.

Bert worked as a Farm Labourer in Peak Hill, and was a Dairy Farmer when he enlisted in the AIF in 1918. Following his Discharge, in 1920 in Parkes NSW, he married Eileen Sylvia Hocking (b1895 in Parkes, NSW). Bert and Eileen settled at Peak Hill, where they raised their family and Bert was a Dairy Farmer. Bert died in 1983 and Eileen in 1985.