MATHIAS, Louis John
| Service Number: | 967 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 2 February 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 33rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Brewarrina, New South Wales, Australia, 9 February 1886 |
| Home Town: | Coolah, Warrumbungle Shire, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Gunnedah Public School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Farme Labourer, Shearer, Wharf Labourer |
| Died: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia , 21 June 1965, aged 79 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
New South Wales Garden Of Remembrance MEMORIAL ID - 248573240 |
| Memorials: | Coolah Memorial School of Arts HR1, Tambar Springs War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 2 Feb 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 967, 33rd Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 May 1916: | Involvement Private, 967, 33rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Marathon embarkation_ship_number: A74 public_note: '' | |
| 4 May 1916: | Embarked Private, 967, 33rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Marathon, Sydney | |
| 5 Apr 1919: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 33rd Infantry Battalion |
Lt Louis John Mathias (aka Jack)
Lieutenant L. J. Mathias DCM and BAR MM, of Coolah, served in the 33rd Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, during the First World War, 1914-1918. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, 2 March 1918; bar to the medal, 8 August 1918; Military Medal, 31 August 1918.
Submitted 18 April 2015 by Jen Milne
Biography
Lieutenant L. J. Mathias was awarded the DCM and BAR and MM. He was from Coolah, New South Wales and served in the 33rd Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, during the First World War, 1914-1918. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 2 March 1918; bar to the medal, 8 August 1918; Military Medal, 31 August 1918.
He was born at Boorooma station in 1886, on the upper Darling River, being the fifth child of James Mathias, farmer and contractor, and his wife Susannah Dennewald.
He attended the Gunnedah Public School.
Prior to World War I, he worked as a farm labourer and blade shearer around Gunnedah, Tambar Springs, Coolah and nearby localities on the Liverpool Plains.
Louis (known as Jack) was an all-round athlete, well known around Quirindi and Trinkey as an amateur boxer, shearer, foot runner, rough rider and all-round athlete.
In 1912, he married Harriet Fanning at Gungal, near Merriwa. At the beginning of 1916, Louis and Harriet were living in Coolah.
He was inspired to join the army when he heard it was to form the 33th Battalion to consist of recruits from the New England and the Liverpool Plains.
“C” Company of the Battalion was to be composed of enlistees from Narrabri, Gunnedah and Quirindi.
This Battalion was initially referred to as “The New England Battalion” with a name change later to the “Northern Battalion”.
He enlisted on January 2, 1916 and became a member of “C” Company 33rd.
By the middle of February, more than 1000 recruits were undergoing initial training at Armidale.
They were then posted to the Army Camp at Rutherford near Maitland.
Louis embarked for England on the HMAT Marathon on May 4, 1916, and then proceeded to France on November 21, 1916, having been promoted to Corporal.
Louis suffered a gas attack on April 17, 1917, and was unable to return to his units for three months.
He became a sergeant on June 26, 1917, and on April 5, 1919, his promotion to Lieutenant was confirmed.
‘Gallantry and devotion’
During his three years, five months of army service, he was awarded the following medals:
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM):
“For exceptional courage, initiative, skill and able leadership during the period 22 September, 1917, to 28 February, 1918. He was very successful as an instructor in bayonet fighting and physical training and has never failed to obtain the best from his men.
In action, he proved himself to be a fearless fighter and courageous leader. By his strong personality, his influence for good, and his devotion to duty, he has won the wholehearted support and high esteem of his men.”
Military Medal:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations against enemy positions in the south of the Somme on 8 August, 1918. In the advance through Accroche, Warrant Officer Mathias with four men captured three enemy strong posts, killing three and capturing 16 prisoners. Although cut off from the rest of the company owing to the dense fog,
Warrant Officer Mathias went through fearlessly and with an admirable dash to Long
Valley and rushed a field gun which was firing over open sight.
“He captured the field gun killing two gunners and taking two others prisoners. On reaching the objective, he greatly assisted in reorganising the Company and its consolidation.
By his splendid leadership and initiative, he not only largely contributed to the success of the company, but also had a most inspiring influence on all ranks.”
Bar to Distinguished Conduct Medal:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on Road Wood near Bouchaveshes on August 31, 1918. Warrant Officer Mathias organised a small party to deal with our left flank and to assist with troops on our left, who were held up. He immediately brought heavy reverse fire to bear on the enemy, holding a terrace southeast of Harrier Wood. So accurate and intense was this fire that the enemy surrendered in large numbers; that allowed the English advance to continue.
“The Warrant Officer took a prominent part in the capture of the old quarry south of Bouchaveshes; this position strongly held by the enemy. He rendered great assistance in the reorganisation and establishing of defensive posts. In the second advance, he again distinguished himself by his sound judgement and splendid leadership. Throughout the operation, Mathias displayed great gallantry, determination and initiative. His presence always inspired his Company with the highest confidence.”
Return to Coolah
Upon his discharge on 26 July, 1919, Louis returned to Coolah and took up a soldier-settler block on the nearby Oban Soldiers’ Settlement.
He left the Coolah area in 1925 and went to Sydney to work as a wharf labourer. For some years, he returned to the country for seasonal work, particularly as a shearer.
His three medals are held at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Louis’ brother, James (1875-1958) served in 33rd Battalion, C Company, He was invalided home from France on December 22, 1918. Another brother, Rex, fought in France with the 10th Field Artillery Brigade. Both the names of Louis and James are on the Tambar Springs War Memorial.
This memorial is said to be the oldest World War I monument in Australia.
The names of the three Mathias brothers, Louis, James and Rex, are inscribed on the WWI Soldiers’ Memorial at the former Coolah School of Arts building in Binnia Street, Coolah.
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