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Arthur MATTHEWS

Main CPGW Record

Surname: MATTHEWS

Forename(s): Arthur

Place of Birth: Barnoldswick, Yorkshire

Service No: 14701

Rank: L/Corporal

Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion / Unit: 9th (Service) Battalion

Division: 17th (Northern) Division

Age: 24

Date of Death: 1916-03-01

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: I. L. 2.

CWGC Cemetery: SPOILBANK CEMETERY

CWGC Memorial: ---

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE

Local War Memorial: EARBY, YORKSHIRE

Local War Memorial: KELBROOK, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

Arthur Matthews was the son of Richard and Eliza Matthews, née Turner. Richard was born near Truro, Cornwall and Eliza at Ashreigney, Devon.

1901 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: Wellhouse Square - Arthur Matthews, aged 9 years, born Barnoldswick, son of Richard and [stepson of] Martha A. Matthews. [Arthur's mother died in 1897 and his father married Martha Ann Jackson in 1898.]

Arthur was married to Florence Maude Downes in 1909. Florence, the daughter of James and Elizabeth Downes, was born at Caston near Thetford, Norfolk, c. 1882 and died in 1918.

1911 Salterforth, Yorkshire Census: Widdup Houses Towngate - Arthur Matthews, aged 20 years, born Barnoldswick, Yorkshire, husband of Florence M. Matthews.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: L/Cpl Arthur Matthews, 14701, W. Rid. R. Theatre of War first served in: (1) France. Date of entry therein: 15.7.15. K. in A. 1.3.16.

British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Arthur Matthews, 14701, 9 W. Rid. R. K. in A. 1.3.16.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Lce-Cpl Arthur Matthews, 14701, 9 W. Riding Regt. Date and Place of Death: 1.3.16. In action. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow - Florence M. £3 6s. 0d. Self & child. Father [in law] - James £2 3s. 4d. Mother in law - Elizabeth £4 6s. 8d.

See also:
‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).
‘Earby in the First World War’ by Stephanie Carter, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2014).
‘Our Finest Crop’ by Steven Marshall, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2020).

Data Source: Local War Memorial

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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---

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No photo available for this Soldier
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 17th (Northern) Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 17th (Northern) Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: MATTHEWS

Forename(s): Arthur

Born: Barnoldswick, Yorks

Residence: Kelbrook, Lancs

Enlisted: Wimborne, Dorset

Number: 14701

Rank: L/Cpl

Regiment: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion: 9th Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 01/03/16

Died How: Killed in action

Theatre of War: France & Flanders

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: MATTHEWS

Forename(s): Arthur

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: 14701

Rank: Lance Corporal

Regiment: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

Unit: 9th Bn.

Age: 24

Awards:

Died Date: 01/03/1916

Additional Information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Matthews, of 7, Ribblesdale Terrace, Barnoldswick, Yorks.; husband of the late Florence M. Matthews.

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Craven Herald and Wensleydale Standard Logo

17 March 1916

BARNOLDSWICK – SOLDIER’S DEATH CONFIRMED

Official intimation was received on Wednesday morning of the death in France of Lance-Corporal Arthur Matthews, of the 9th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. Last week it was rumoured that he had been killed during the big engagement on March 2nd, when other Barnoldswick men were wounded. A letter from Sergt. Frank Watson of the same regiment, now in Chichester Hospital, states that he saw Matthews struck, and that he only lived a few hours afterwards. Deceased was 24 years of age, and leaves a wife and one child. He enlisted August 31st, 1914, and went out to France in the following June. During his period of training he was in the garrison military police at Wimborne and Winchester. He had previously served in the East Lancashire Regiment, and at the time of rejoining the Army was employed at Sough Bridge Mill, Kelbrook. Two of his brothers are on active service, one of whom was wounded in July last.

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09 October 1914

KELBROOK

TO JOIN THE ARMY – The following men here left St. Mary’s Parish, Kelbrook (Vicar, Rev. A. E. Chance), to join the Army or Navy:– Allan Atkinson, John Edmondson, Albert Adams, Geo. Frederick Baldwin, Albert Burbridge, Philip Hodgson, George Ion, Wm. James Little, Arthur Matthews, Dick Slater, James Wormwell, Herman Widdup, Wm. Williamson, Thomas Walsh and Alfred Pickles.

17 March 1916

BARNOLDSWICK SOLDIER’S DEATH CONFIRMED

Official intimation was received on Wednesday morning of the death in France of Lance Corporal Arthur Matthews of the 9th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. A rumour gained currency last week that he had been killed during the big engagement on March 2nd, when other Barnoldswick men were wounded, but no confirmation came to hand until the early part of the present week, when the matter was set at rest by the receipt of a letter from Sergeant Frank Watson, of the same regiment, now in Chichester Hospital, stating that he saw Matthews struck and that he only lived a few hours afterwards.

Deceased was 24 years of age and leaves a wife and one child. He enlisted on August 31st 1914, and went out to France in the following June. During his period of training he was in the garrison military police at Wimbourne and Winchester. He had previously served in the East Lancashire Regiment, and at the time of rejoining the Army was employed at Sough Bridge Mill, Kelbrook. Two of his brothers are on active service, one of whom was wounded in July last.

02 March 1917

In loving memory of Lance-Corpl. Arthur Matthews, 9th Batt. Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, killed in action March 1st, 1916.

It may be a soldier’s honour,
For his country’s sake to fall;
But those who feel the sorrow
Never think of the glory at all.

–From Father and Mother, Brothers and Sisters. 17, Ribblesdale Terrace, Barnoldswick.

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