Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Matthew Stephen WILLIAMS, born 11/1/1897 at McPhail, NSW. With the outbreak of World War I, he enlisted in the Army on 24/2/1915 No.696 assigned to the 19th Battalion. His occupation was a labourer. However, his papers were later marked "Discharged - unlikely to become an effecient soldier". The following year, he re-enListed on 15/3/1916 No.1903 and was assigned to the 34th Battalion. His occupation was a baker. During training he was fined on three occasions for i) AWOL for 2 days ii) Disposing of Rations iii) Disobeying Order. He arrived in England 29/10/1916, to commence further training. He went to France on 23/12/1916, and joined his unit in the field on 26/1/1917. Sadly, only 2 weeks later on 10/2/1917, he was wounded in action with gun shot wounds to abdomen, shoulder and thigh. He was operated on immediately, but owing to the severe internal injuries he did not recover, and died as a result of those wounds, on 16/2/1917. He is buried in Triois-Arbres Military Cemetery, Steenwerck, France, Plot 1 Row 15 . His mother received a photo of the grave from the Army shortly thereafter. His meagre possessions consisting of a testament, comb, pen, 3 buttons, 2 coins, 3 badges, metal ring, mouth organ, photos and cards were also returned to his mother. In 1923 she applied for and received his 2 War Medals. She also received a fortnightly pension of 1 pound, 10 shillings, as she was divorced and was dependEnt on her son. Although Matthew enlisted at West Maitland, his name appears on the WWI Memorial in the main street of Bowraville, north coast of NSW.