Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

In June 1910 a quaint announcement appeared in the Perth based Sunday Times that the marriage of Leonard Augusta Mathews, Norseman, to D'Arcy Cogden, Perth had ‘been arranged to take place at an early date.’ D’Arcy was English born, quite a contrast to her future married life in the dry, dusty and hot conditions of Iron Knob in South Australia.
Older sister, Lorna Mabel was born in 1907 in Claremont, followed by brothers Leonard Alwyn born in WA in March ’11, Harold Vernon born in Norsman on 28 June 1914 and Charles (Charlie), the fourth son, also being born in Norsman on the 15th February ‘16. Later in Iron Knob, Eric George was born on the 21st January ’22.
After Charlie’s birth, the family moved to live at Iron Knob, a prolific iron ore mining town which supported the massive steel production based at BHP in Whyalla from the late 1800’s to 1998. At that time, the town of Iron Knob had its own large community, as did the nearby Iron Baron. Employment at ‘The Knob’ was reliable because of the close connection to the Whyalla BHP Steelworks. Both of Charlie’s parents were heavily involved in all aspects of the community. Darcy in the Country Women’s Association, Red Cross, Boy Scouts, the Kindergarten, Presbyterian Women’s Mothers’ Union and Bridge. Similarly, Leonard was superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday School, and picnic organiser, involved in the Boy Scouts and a talented euchre player. Leonard and Darcy remained in Iron Knob until their deaths and are amongst those who rest in the local cemetery. 72-year-old Darcy died in April 57 and Leonard in October ’64.
Children had a choice of attending the Iron Knob School, opened in 1903. They could also bus in to Whyalla Technical High. Post school, BHP was the major employer of locals, including Charlie and his younger brother, Eric. Charlie worked in the assay department of the B.H.P. Company's quarries, responsible for quality control of the iron ore. Eric had an apprenticeship with BHP as a boilermaker before being employed full time with the company.
With the outbreak of WWII 24-year-old Charlie enlisted on the 23rd July ’40 and was allocated SX9555 in the 2/48th Battalion. His older brother, 27-year-old Harold Vernon enlisted just after his 27th birthday in July ’41, becoming SX13582 and rising to the rank of sergeant, before being discharged in November ’45. Jack was the third of the Mathews’ sons to enlist in ’42, serving for six years in the Merchant Navy as an engineer. Again, the Iron Knob Farewell Committee organised a valedictory social in his honour. He was presented with an inscribed wallet and notes. Eric enlisted the following year at Wayville on the 29th May ’43 becoming SX19739 and the fourth in his family to enlist. He later transferring to the Army Water Transport Unit. He went to Melbourne Technical School where he passed a diesel engineering course and was promoted to sergeant. He then continued service in the Pacific on the Lylah as chief engineer. In honour of those who had enlisted from Iron Knob, individual trees were planted in the surrounds of the Iron Knob Oval in ’44.
For the new soldiers in the 2/48th Battalion, initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before they headed to Woodside in the Adelaide Hills for their preliminary training. The men had pre-embarkation leave, with Charlie returning to Iron Knob for precious time with his family. The local Whyalla News reported the generous farewell quickly organised for Charlie that November. ‘Pte. C. Mathews, the fourth son of Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Mathews; well-known residents of the town, came home on November 9. The committee in Iron Knob hastily arranged a gathering for Saturday evening. The short notice meant that it was impossible to let everybody know, but a large crowd was present at the Memorial Hall to give Charlie a happy time. Mr. F. S. Bonnar was chairman and eulogistic speeches were made about the guest of honor who had an important position in the assay department of the B.H.P. Company's quarries. At the Presbyterian Church the next evening, after the impressive Armistice Day service, Mr. S. Hemmings spoke in appreciation of Charlie's help over the past years and handed him a pipe from the members of the Board of Management.’
Following this leave, the 2/48th Battalion then embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940. Back home, Charlie’s father continued to serve his community and those who served by organising a dance in aid of the Cheer-Up Hut in the Soldiers' Memorial, Hall in December, but he also found time to continue playing euchre.
Murray Farquhar’s early book, Derrick V.C. records the oft told story of the arrival of the men in the Middle East. Following an exceptionally efficient dis-embarkment, the troops waited for transport which turned out to be cattle trucks. He recorded that ‘Soon battledress adhered to the molten tar where they sat. Even spreading sawdust made little difference. To this day all are adamant the vans had misshapen wheels. With a little railway experience, Charlie Matthews attributed these regular bumps and grinds to the absence of proper couplings. In their place, loose chain had been pressed into service.’ Throughout Charlie’s childhood and working life, a train heavily loaded with iron ore would regularly travel from Iron Knob to Whyalla, part of his everyday life, so his explanation was creditable.
Farquhar later wrote of the Battalion being housed in Hotel Derna for three weeks, which came as almost a holiday for A Company. ‘Seven Platoon had to guard prisoners “but as Charlie Matthews puts it “each of us had a couple of Italian batmen. They cleaned our rifles, everything. “Some let the Italians shave them. I couldn’t wear that.” He went on “Some volunteered to do guard duty for us. Probably they would have done it just as well as we did.”
The rigorous training that ensued in Cyrenaica preceded the 2/48th Battalion going to Tobruk at the start of April 1941 where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to these fresh new enlistees. They were to become the famed Rats of Tobruk. Events of early April ’41 came to be known as ‘The Benghazi Handicap.’ With the prize being control of the sea and access to Middle East oil. Just after 1:00am on April 7th the 2/48th were ordered to evacuate with a section of 7 Platoon at the Prisoner of War cage to remain until daybreak. Farquhar recorded ‘Charlie Matthews chiacked the section detailed to stay. Stopped in his tracks, he was ordered to join them.’ However, in the rush, this group was forgotten until halfway up the pass. Fortunately, a vehicle backed around, returned and carried them to safety.
Later, in the bitter attack on Hill 209, the 2/48th initially had to retreat just 200 metres from the top. During that attack Derrick showed his daring and confidence as a leader. Morphett recommended him for a Military Medal. Again, Farquhar recorded that ‘Although richly deserved it was not awarded. Charles (Chook) Matthews is adamant that Morphett had made Diver, and that his promotion to corporal was just the stimulus this gallant young man needed.’
Amongst the fierce fighting stories emerged of the different characters who were thrown together in the tightly knit 2/48th battalion. One such incident is frequently retold. Rations were very basic with bully beef, biscuits, tea, milk and sugar being the basics and extras including jam being shared sparingly, but extras from home were always a welcome addition. Australians were renown for making the most of any situation. Murray Farquhar eloquently told of this incident which highlighted the men’s resourcefulness. ‘Manna from heaven can come in many forms. On the eastern sector the Italians had occupied a defensive line. The 23rd May dawned like so many other days.. suddenly someone shouted, ‘There’s a camel, shoot it.’ Damn you. Dirty your own rifle.’ Alf Meyer did the honours. Then there was a commotion as two more camels came into view.’ This then meant that the company commander had huge slabs of meat to share amongst the men, although the laconic complaint from Chook (Charlie) was that “None one stayed to help bury the carcass.” “One bloke had his cooked and eaten before we finished skinning the first one.”
Soon after that gastronomic delight, on May 26th highly respected platoon commander, Hurtle Morphett was moved to C Company. Farquhar reported that ‘He is without doubt the best officer and man in the battalion” Billing Fennell and Matthews all said ‘amen’ to that.’
By July 29th ’41 after six days of rest, A Company was back in the cramped, confined salient trenches. Knowing of the boredom that would ensue, Diver created a cross word to pass the time. One of the clues eluded ‘Chook’ Matthews. ‘One evening he decided to tackle Derrick about it. He edged his way across the fire-swept area. The clue was ‘a coin’. ‘Akka’ was slang for the Egyptian piastre. It had four letters, but the answer required five.’ Chook maintained that Akka only had four letters to which Diver responded ‘A akka’, much to Charlie’s incredulity.
In Feb ’42 Chook ran into Diver ‘who was counting a roll of notes. The following evening, Chook, after training walked into the same canteen to have a beer. Forlornly sitting alone at another able was Derrick. ‘After a while, Matthews threw out an invitation, “Care for a beer, Diver?” Thought you’d never ask” was the response.” Diver was broke following a bad time at the swy school.
Service in New Guinea followed the Middle East, with a totally different terrain and enemy. In September the troops received news of the unconditional surrender of Italy. However, in New Guinea jungle fighting continued. Farquhar described an evening where, exhausted and wet, Seven Platoon returned to company area and got a cooking fire going, which was immediately ordered to be smothered. Charlie challenged the order and was supported by Diver returning with his group and in support calling “Keep that fire going, Chook. We want it.” They had collected some taro, a tasty, nutty flavoured native root vegetable, greatly adding to the meagre rations of the group. A win for ‘Chook’ and Diver.
Unfortunately, soon after, Charlie and five of his fellow 2/48th Battalion were wounded in action with this being reported in the November ’42 issue of the Advertiser. Wounded In Action SX9835 A-Sgt. Martin Hambour. 2/48th Kapunda. SX13691 Pte. Frank B. Bald, 2/48th Moonta. SX12699 Pte. Angus G. Kirk. 2/48th Victor Harbor. SX9555 Cpl. C. T. Mathews, 2/48th Iron Knob. SX7467 Pte. Alfred S. De Caux, 2/48th Jervois. SX8665 Pte. George W. Lamming, 2/48th Adelaide.
Charlie, a Corporal and his brother Private Vernon, had leave to return to Iron Knob in March ’43 having served two years overseas. Their community were delighted to see both men, with a heartfelt welcome being made from the Sunday evening church service where Reverend Tremewan asking God's blessing to be with them in all their future undertakings. A large crowd also gathered at the Institute for a welcome back dance in their honour. Having honed his card skills overseas, in a separate evening Corporal Charles won the cribbage competition.
Charlie rose to become a Lieutenant. Both he and Diver Derrick were amongst 49 men who attended an officer training course in ’44. Of these 32 qualified with Charlie finishing a creditable 17th in the group. However, according to Mark Johnson in his recently published Derrick VC in His Own Words, Charlie described the course ‘as “an excuse in bastardry” designed to see how much candidates could take without breaking, he said, “Diver gave cheek” and “got away with things others couldn’t”. He indicated there was some ill-feeling at the end of the course.’ This is possibly an accurate assessment of military life.
Derrick was renown for the use of rhyming slang, at one stage writing in his diary of May ‘45 about Charlie as ‘Oats and Barley’ and that “I must write soon, I believe he is back at Canunga. Should any of the gang still be there, hand on regards of TC (Derrick)and tell them a page or so would be gladly accepted.”
Charlie was eventually discharged on the 5th December ’45 to return to Iron Knob. There he continued his involvement in the Presbyterian Sunday School picnic events, even winning the married men’s race! He was also involved in a cricket match against the visiting Liquor Trades cricket team, the first time since 1940 that they had had a team. Charlie gained a wicket for 19 runs as a bowler. Both he and his brother Jack briefly returned to playing football for Iron Knob against other Whyalla based teams. Charlie playing at half back put in a creditable performance, being named as best player, with Jack also praised for playing well in patches. However, by ’46 Charlie had made the decision to leave Iron Knob, with the local paper commenting that this loss would weaken the apprentice cricket team, as three other players also were leaving.
Charlie’s wife Florence Joan died 22nd June ’96 and Charlie on the 1st June 1997 the following year. Plaques commemorating their lives are at the Enfield Memorial Park in the Rose Garden Memorial Site CJZ 20. Their ages are given as 77 and 81 respectively. Charles is also commemorated at the Centennial Park Cemetery in Plot Acacia B, Path BM, Grave 540 where his age is given as 84.
Written and researched by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.