Name
William James Matthews
17/11/1885
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
30/11/1915
30
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
21157
Grenadier Guards
3rd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
RUE-DAVID MILITARY CEMETERY, FLEURBAIX
I. G. 33.
France
Headstone Inscription
UNITED IN LIFE WITH LOVE SINCERE IN DEATH NOT DIVIDED WHILE MEMORY HOLDS DEAR
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Green Tye memorials, Village Green War Memorial, Hatfield Heath, Essex, Hatfield Heath Village Hall, Memorial Plaque, Holy Trinity Church, Hatfield Heath, Essex, Book of Remembrance
Pre War
William James Matthews was born on 17 November 1885, in Hatfield Broad Oak, Essex, son of Arthur Matthews an Agricultural Engine Driver and Sarah (nee Bolton) Matthews, he was one of seven children. Christened on the 13 June 1886, in Takeley, Essex.
1891 Census records William aged 5, at school, living with his Parents, and four siblings in Blocks Road, Hatfield Broad Oak, Essex.
By 1901 William had left school and was working as an Agricultural Labourer, living at home with his parents, and three siblings at Pool’s Farm, Hatfield Broad Oak, Essex. His father Arthur died in 1902.
1911 Census records William working as a horseman on the farm, living with his widowed mother Sarah and three siblings at Pool’s Farm, Hatfield Broad Oak, Essex.
On the 10 January 1915, William married Ella Vale, the daughter of Henry Vale, at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Hatfield Broad Oak, Essex.
They lived at Joyce Villa, Green Tye, Much Hadham, Herts. They went on to have one son Bernard John Matthews.
Wartime Service
William enlisted at Saffron Walden, Essex, posted to the Grenadier Guards with the service number 21157,
He arrived in France on 15 August 1915, and was killed in action on 30 November 1915.
Additional Information
His wife Ella received a widow’s pension of 17/6 a week from 12 June 1916, for herself and son Bernard. She also received his effects of £3-10s-3d, Pay Owing and a War Gratuity of £3.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Malcolm Lennox
