MATTHEWS, Lancelot James
| Service Numbers: | 2975, 82178, 67268 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 23 November 1915, Underage (big time!) discharged |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 16th to 27th Reinforcements (NSW) |
| Born: | Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, 25 February 1898 |
| Home Town: | Cooks Hill, Newcastle West, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Seaman |
| Died: | Cooks Hill, New South Wales, Australia, 28 July 1951, aged 53 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Sandgate General Cemetery, Newcastle, NSW CATHOLIC 1-E Spec. 59. |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 23 Nov 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2975, 30th Infantry Battalion, Underage (big time!) discharged | |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Aug 1917: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 82178, 18th Infantry Battalion, Still underage. | |
| 15 Jan 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 82178, 18th Infantry Battalion, Unfit | |
| 14 Oct 1918: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 67268, 16th to 27th Reinforcements (NSW) | |
| 14 Oct 1918: | Embarked Private, 67268, 16th to 27th Reinforcements (NSW), SS Wyreema, Sydney | |
| 14 Oct 1918: | Involvement Private, 67268, 16th to 27th Reinforcements (NSW), --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '20' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: SS Wyreema embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
| 5 Jan 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 67268, 16th to 27th Reinforcements (NSW), 2nd MD |
Help us honour Lancelot James Matthews's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
Served during The Great War, resting at Sandgate Cemetery.
71 years ago today, on the Monday afternoon of the 30th July 1951, Private Lancelot James Matthews, also known as Smacker, 24th General Service Reinforcements (Reg Nos 82178 & 67268), horse driver and seaman from 59 and 53 Charles Street, Cooks Hill, New South Wales and 120 Church Street, Newcastle, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 53. CATHOLIC 1-E Spec. 59.
Born at Newcastle, New South Wales on the 25th February 1898 to William and Ada Josephine Matthews of 88 Laman Street, Cooks Hill, N.S.W., Smacker enlisted November 1915 with the 30th Battalion at Newcastle, N.S.W.
Absent without leave - 1.1.1916 to 12.4.1916.
Reenlisted-28.8.1917, (18th Battalion) Newcastle, N.S.W.
Discharged 5.1.1918 (unfit).
Reenlisted-14.10.1918, (24th New South Wales Reinforcements) Sydney, N.S.W.
Smacker returned home December 1918, being discharged on the 5th January 1919.
Did not receive Victory Medal.
I have not located Mr. Matthew’s name inscribed on any known War Memorial or Roll of Honour.
I located this Forgotten Digger resting in an unmarked grave, so March 2020 I placed a cross adorned with poppies at the gravesite in remembrance of his service for God, King & Country.
Lest We Forget.
Click images to start slideshow.