The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (2438b) Private Kenneth Matthews, 27th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Joanne Smedley, the story for this day was on (2438b) Private Kenneth Matthews, 27th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

2438b Private Kenneth Matthews, 27th Battalion, AIF
DOW 3 March 1917
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 30 July 2016

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Kenneth Matthews.

Known as “Ken”, Matthews was born on 5 May 1894 to Edgar and Annie Matthews of Edithburgh, South Australia. He grew up on the Yorke Peninsula and attended the local school. When he was four years old his mother spent an afternoon playing with her children but went to bed feeling unwell. She died unexpectedly in the early hours of the following morning. His father worked as an engineer for the Castle Salt Company, and Ken went on to work as a clerk in the office of Bagot, Shakes, and Lewis in nearby Minlaton.

Matthews enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in March 1916. He underwent a period of training in Australia before leaving Adelaide on the troopship Commonwealth for service overseas. Originally posted to the 50th Battalion, after arriving in England he was transferred to the 27th Battalion. He later wrote, “at first I was sorry when I was transferred, but still, one battalion is as good as another here at the front as you have to fight just the same”. He received four days’ leave, which he spent in London having “a ripping time”, visiting the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Zoo, and Madame Tussaud’s.

In December 1916 Private Matthews arrived in France to fight on the Western Front and was posted to the 27th Battalion. The battalion spent most of the harsh winter of 1916–17 rotating in and out of the front line. Matthews did not enjoy the cold, writing, “I often think that they made a mistake and landed us at the North Pole instead of in France.”

In February 1917 Matthews was evacuated to hospital with the mumps, but was able to re-join his battalion after three weeks. Just two weeks later he was in the front lines as part of the 27th Battalion attacked towards the French town of Bapaume. The attacking party sustained heavy casualties, including most of its commanding officers, with 22 men killed and another 95 wounded.

One of those wounded was Private Kenneth Matthews. He suffered shell wounds to the face and hands and was evacuated to the 45th Casualty Clearing Station. He died of his wounds the following day, on the 3rd of March 1917. He was buried in the Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension under the epitaph: “In memory of our dearly loved son and brother”.

Kenneth Matthews was 23 years old. His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among more than 60,000 Australians who died while serving in the First World War.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Private Kenneth Matthews, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Dr Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section