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Alexander Matheson was born on the 22nd of March 1881, to Allan and Jane Matheson, in Glasgow, Scotland. He moved to Australia with his family in 1888, settling in Perth, in the Colony of Western Australia. Alexander enlisted the Western Australian Highlanders at the age of 21 years, in 1902. He served with various units and commissioned in 1911. He transferred to the Army Service Corps in 1912. Alexander also maintained a civilian occupation of insurance superintendent. He married Miss Olga Beatrice Parrant in 1913 and later that year their only child Rosella was born. Shortly after he was posted to Rawalpindi, in British India for training from 1913-1914.

With the rise in hostilities in Europe which led to the Great War, Alexander enlisted into the Australian Imperial Forces on the 15th of August 1914. He participated in the Gallipoli landings on the 25th of April 1915 and served in Egypt and the Western Front, until being returned to Australia shortly before the Armistice, discharging in January 1919. During the interbellum period he returned to his prewar army career, re-enlisting into the Army Service Corps and prewar occupation of insurance superintendent. In late 1919, Alexander moved to Melbourne, Victoria leaving his wife and daughter in Perth, Western Australia. In 1921, he moves to the Liverpool Military Area and where he meets his new partner, Miss Amy Craggs.

In 1936, Alexander is retired from the military with the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel. With the outbreak of the Second World War he re-enlists in 1940, at the rank of Captain, promoting to Major in 1941, holding the position of claims and transport officer at Ingleburn Barracks. With his re-enlistment, his information varies, he is born on the 22nd of March 1888 or the 22nd of March 1889 (his real birth year being 1881) and his next of kin is listed as either his wife in Perth or his partner in Sydney. In March 1943, Alexander retired from the army due to age, at the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Alexander dies on the 1st of December 1943 at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, he was survived by his wife, partner, and daughter. During the late 1970’s Alexander’s medals, war memorabilia and masonic regalia were found during a house demolition in Glenhaven, New South Wales. These items are now held by the Castle Hill RSL Sub-Branch.

References-

NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages Website

WA Births, Deaths and Marriages Website

Ancestry Website

NAA War Records Website

Daily Telegraph 4th of August 2014

Alexander MATHESON (1881–1943) • FamilySearch

S Cox & C Jolly, PM, May 2023

MATHESON. —The Relatives and Friends of the late Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Matheson V. D., are advised that his Funeral will leave the Kinsela Chapels, Taylor Square. Darlinghurst, This Friday at  10 a.m., for the Eastern Suburbs Crematorium. Charles Kinsela Pty., Ltd., A.F.D.A., Taylor Square, Darlinghurst. Phones, FL-136-7-8.

MATHESON. —The Members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Royal Order of Scotland in New South Wales are invited to attend the Funeral of the late Esteemed Bro., Alexander Matheson, to take  place To-day. For details see family notice. L. F. Meredith P.G.M.

MATHESON. —Members of Sedgwick Chapter A, and A.S.R. are invited to attend the Funeral of late Ill. Bro., Alex. Matheson, This Day. See family notice. H. F. Wilkins, M.W.S. H. J. Salter, Sec.

MATHESON. —The Members of Societas Rosecruciana in Scotia, Aurora Australis College, are invited to attend the funeral of their late R. W. Fr. Alec. Matheson. VIII degrees. For particulars see family  notice. H. W. Levy, P.G. Sec. and Suff.

MATHESON. —The Members of D.G. Priory of Aust. are invited to attend the Funeral of there late Ven. Frater, Alec Matheson For particulars see family notice. H. W. Levy, D.G. Sec.

MATHESON. —The Officers and Fratres of the Preceptory of Granville are invited to attend the Funeral of the late Ven. Frater A. Matheson, P.P. For further particulars see family notice. R. Sutton, Ven. Preceptor.

MATHESON. —The Officers and Knights of Strathfield Conclave No. 29 are invited to attend the funeral of the late V. Em. Knight A. Matheson, P.S. For further particulars see family notice. R. Sutton,  M.P.S.

MATHESON. —N.S.W. Consistory. —The Brethren are kindly invited to attend the Funeral of the late Ill. Brother Alexander Matheson. See family notice. Regalia, F. W. E. Heyner, Grand Commander; Louis Hurnet, Grand Secretary.

MATHESON. —Members of the N.S.W. Masonic Club are fraternally invited to attend the funeral of our late esteemed Bro., Lt.-Col. A. Matheson, To-day. For further particulars see family notice. L. R. Weldon, President; H. J. Snedden Secretary.