Lindsay Norman (Meggs) MATTHEWS

MATTHEWS, Lindsay Norman

Service Number: NX47206
Enlisted: 27 August 1940
Last Rank: Lance Corporal
Last Unit: 2nd/10th Field Ambulance
Born: Cessnock, New South Wales, Australia, 25 June 1919
Home Town: Pokolbin, Cessnock, New South Wales
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Vigneron Farmer
Memorials: Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Pokolbin Public School Memorial Gates
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World War 2 Service

27 Aug 1940: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Lance Corporal, NX47206
29 Jul 1941: Embarked Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), NX47206, 2/10 Field Ambulance
9 Apr 1942: Imprisoned Malaya/Singapore, F Force
22 Sep 1945: Embarked Lance Corporal, NX47206, emplaned from Singapore to Darwin following release from POW camp and medical treatment. Further hospital treatment in Darwin and other medical facilities. Fair skin/red hair had caused solar keratosis in Jap camp conditions.
13 Nov 1945: Discharged Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Lance Corporal, NX47206, 2nd/10th Field Ambulance

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Biography contributed by Barbara Boon

Lindsay, known as Meggs due to his red hair and freckled skin, returned to Cessnock/Pokolbin and his family after being released from hospitals following 3 and half years of Jap imprisonment and work camps. His skin colouring caused much suffering in and after his captivity and the deprivations. His father was a WW1 vet, Clarence Matthews, who had served in France, been wounded twice and suffered shellshock, cared for and helped Lindsay pick up his life. Lindsay resumed his work as a vigneron/farmer, married and raised his family. Lindsay also wrote some poetry.  He was part of a very big, closeknit family in Pokolbin/Cessnock/Wollombi area who were original settlers. 

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