Name
Charles William Matthews
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
10/07/1918
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Leading Stoker
8558
Royal Australian Navy
H.M.A.S. “Sydney”
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HERTINGFORDBURY (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hertingfordbury Village Memorial, Church of St Mary and St John Church Roll of Honour, Hertingfordbury, Birch Green School Memorial, We are not aware of any Cole Green memorial
Pre War
Charles William Matthews was born on 11th January, 1889 at Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, England to parents Joseph and Rose Matthews (nee Barron). He was baptised at Bishops Stortford on 1st May, 1889.
The 1891 England Census recorded William Matthews as a 2 year old living with his family at Great Habers Farm, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, England. There were 5 separate households listed at Great Habers Farm. His parents were listed as Joseph Matthews (Farm Labourer, aged 34, born Little Hadham, Herts) & Rsina Matthews (aged 34, born Bishops Stortford, Herts). William was the youngest of 4 children listed on this Census – Emma Matthews (Scholar, aged 10, born Little Hadham, Herts), Alice Matthews (Scholar, aged 8, born Shorley, Herts), Harriet Matthews (Scholar, aged 4, born Little Hadham, Herts) & William.
The 1901 England Census recorded William Matthews as a 12 year old living with his family at Hazel End, Farnham, Essex, England. His parents were listed as Joseph Matthews (Horsekeeper on Farm, aged 42) & Rosea Matthews (aged 42). William was one of 4 children listed on this Census – Fanny Matthews (Hand in a Milk Factory, aged 16), then William, Edith (aged 8, born Bishops Stortford, Herts) & Eva (aged 4, born Amwell, Herts).
[The 1911 England Census recorded the Matthews family living at Cole Green, Hertford in a 4 roomed dwelling. The family consisted of Joseph Matthews (Horsekeeper on Farm, aged 53) & Rose Matthews (aged 53). Joseph & Rose Matthews had been married for 31 years & had a total of 6 children, all still living. Only 2 of their children were living at home in this Census – Edith Matthews (Dairying, aged 18) & Eva Matthews (aged 14).]
Charles William Matthews was a Farm Labourer when he enlisted on 4th April, 1910 with the Royal Navy for a period of 12 years. His service number was K. 6436 & his religion was Church of England. His next of kin was listed as his mother – Mrs Rose Matthews of 2 Cole Green, Hertford, England. (Note – his date of birth on the Royal Naval records is 11th January, 1890).
Before the war he served in the following (training establishments and ships:
Pembroke II, as Stoker 2nd Class from 4 April, 1910, Indomitable from 9 August, 1910, then as Stoker 1st Class from 7 November, 1911, Pembroke II from 25 November, 1911, Blenheim from 12 January, 1912, E? from 1 October, 1913, Pembroke II from 4 November, 1913, Eclipse from 26 February, 1914 and Yarmouth from 14 April, 1914.
Wartime Service
When war was declared he was serving on the HMS Yarmouth. His service number was 8558.
Charles William Matthews served on the following ships with the British Royal Navy:
Yarmouth and as Acting Leading Stoker from 27 May, 1915, then as Leading Stoker from 9 December, 1915, Pembroke II from 22nd November 1917.
Charles William Matthews was on loan from Royal Navy to the Royal Australian Navy on 8th December, 1917 for a period of 3 years, and served on H.M.A.S. Sydney.
H.M.A.S. Sydney was a Chatham class light cruiser of the Royal Australian Navy (R.A.N.). Laid down in 1911 and launched in 1912, the cruiser was commissioned into the R.A.N. in 1913.
During the early stages of World War I, Sydney was involved in supporting the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force, and escorting the first ANZAC convoy. On 9th November 1914, the cruiser defeated the German cruiser SMS Emden at the Battle of Cocos. During 1915 and 1916, Sydney operated on the North America and West Indies Station, before joining the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron at Greenock, Scotland in November 1916. On 4th May 1917, the cruiser was involved in an inconclusive action against the German zeppelinL43; neither was damaged. (Wikipedia) Later in 1917, Sydney was fitted with an aircraft launching platform and equipped with a Sopwith Ships Pup fighter. On 1 June 1918, while patrolling in the Heligoland Bight, Sydney and Melbourne launched their aircraft to engage two German reconnaissance aircraft. Sydney's fighter destroyed one of the enemy aircraft. Sydney was present at the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet on 21 November 1918. She returned to Australia on 19 July 1919. After the war, Sydney carried out routine fleet duties until paid off in 1928. She was broken up the next year.
Leading Stoker Charles William Matthews died on 10th July, 1918 on Hospital Ship Soudan as a result of burns of body, face & limbs. The Hospital Ship Soudan was in the vicinity of Invergordon, Scotland on 30th June, 1918.
Leading Stoker Charles William Matthews was buried in St. Mary’s Churchyard, Hertingfordbury, Hertfordshire, England and has a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.
Additional Information
Acknowledgments
Malcolm Lennox, Cathy Sedgwick, https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/
