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Son of John and Annie MATHESON, Solomon Street, Cottesloe Beach, Western Australia

Died of Wounds.—Gunner H, T. Matheson, well known in Narrogin and a resident here for a considerable time, is reported as having died of wounds on April 17th, 1918.  Gunner Matheson was a member of the 15th Battery, 5th Brigade, and was the youngest son of Mrs. Annie Matheson, of Cottesloe Beacb, and brother of Sapper A. J. Matheson (Prisoner of
War Lechfield Camp Germany), Mrs, A. Edwards, Mrs. Fred Storey, and the late Mrs A. J. Salmon, of Narrogin

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland 

Died on this date – 17th April…… Henry Thomas Matheson was born at Walhalla, Victoria in 1883. His father John Matheson died on 30th July, 1894.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 12th July, 1915 as a 30 year old, single, Butcher from Perth, Western Australia.

Private Henry Thomas Matheson, service number 3142, embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia on HMAT Themistocles (A32) on 13th October, 1915 with the 16th Infantry Battalion, 10th Reinforcements & disembarked at Egypt. He was taken on strength of 16th Battalion at Ismalia on 8th January, 1916.

On 3rd March, 1916 Private Matheson was transferred from 16th Battalion to 48th Battalion & was taken on strength of 48th Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir on 3rd March, 1916.

Private Matheson was transferred from 48th Battalion to 5th Australian Field Butchery on 17th March, 1916.

He was sent sick to Hospital at Ferry Post on 25th April, 1916. He was discharged from Hospital on 29th April, 1916 & rejoined his Unit on 1st May, 1916.
On 20th June, 1916 Private Matheson embarked from Alexandria on Troop Ship Caledonia to join B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force). He disembarked at Marseilles, France on 29th June, 1916.

Private Matheson was written up at Rouen, France for being drunk in town & being in town without a pass on 1st August, 1916. This was later admonished.

He was written up while posted at Rouen – while on active service absent from 21.45 on 28th September, 1916 to 06.00 on 29th September, 1916. This was admonished & Private Matheson was required to forfeit 1 days’ pay.

Private Matheson was on leave to United Kingdom from Boulogne, France from 17th July, 1917. He was written up for an offence at Edinburgh on 25th July, 1917 – 1. Drunkenness and 2. Violently resisting arrest by kicking & struggling. He was awarded 15 days detention by Lt. Col. G. H. Knox at Edinburgh.
On 30th July, 1917 he was marched in to No. 1 Command Depot at Perham Downs, Wiltshire from Edinburgh. He was medically classified as B1 A4 (fit for overseas training camp when passed dentally fit) on 4th August, 1917. Private Matheson was medically classified as A3 (fit for overseas training camp) on 15th August, 1917 & was dentally fit on 21st August, 1917.

A Court of Enquiry was held at Boulogne, France on 19th August, 1917 declaring that 3142 Pte H. T. Matheson had illegally absented himself without leave from 5th Australian Field Bakery, A.A.S.C. on 28th July, 1917 and that he was still absent.

Private Matheson was marched out to Overseas Training Brigade from No. 1 Command Depot at Perham Downs on 21st August, 1917. He was transferred to A.A.S.C. (Australian Army Service Corps) Training Depot at Parkhouse, Wiltshire on 31st August, 1917 from Overseas Training Brigade.
He was transferred to Artillery Details at Heytesbury, Wiltshire on 16th November, 1917 with the rank of Gunner.

Gunner Matheson proceeded overseas to France via Southampton from Heytesbury on 18th December, 1917. He was marched in to A.G.B.D. (Australian General Base Depot) at Rouelles, France on 19th December, 1917. Gunner Matheson was marched out from A.G.B.D. & was taken on strength of 2nd D.A.C. (Divisional Ammunition Column) on 24th December, 1917.

On 6th January, 1918 Gunner Matheson was transferred to 5th Field Artillery Brigade – 15th Battery.

Gunner Matheson was wounded in action on 12th April, 1918. (From details in the War Diary of 5th Field Artillery Brigade – they were situated at Somme from 11th April, 1918.) He was admitted to 5th Australian Field Ambulance with gunshot wounds to thighs & scrotum then transferred the same day to 20th Casualty Clearing Station. Gunner Matheson was transferred & admitted to 6th General Hospital at Rouen, France on 14th April, 1918. He was transferred to England on 15th April, 1918 on Hospital Ship Carisbrooke Castle.

Gunner Henry Thomas Matheson died at 6.30 am on 17th April, 1918 at Sea on board Hospital Ship Carisbrooke Castle during the voyage upriver to Southampton, England from wounds received in action – Gunshot wounds to both thighs, scrotum & bladder. His body was transferred to Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley, Hampshire, England.

He was buried in Netley Military Cemetery, Hampshire, England where 49 other WW1 Australian War Graves are located.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/k---w.html