Alfred Edwin MATHERS

Regimental number467
Place of birthSydney New South Wales
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationMiner
Address89 Phelps Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation30
Next of kinFather, Edwin Mathers, 89 Phelps Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, New South Wales
Enlistment date12 June 1916
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll7 June 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit nameMachine Gun Company 5, Reinforcement 7
AWM Embarkation Roll number24/10/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on 25 October 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll2nd Machine Gun Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 23 July 1919
Miscellaneous details (Nominal Roll)*second given name two spellings Edwin and Edward
Medals

Military Medal

'On 20th September 1917 near WESTHOEK he kept his gun in action and fired some thousands of rounds at the enemy who were launching a counter attack on the right - under an intense bombardment. His gunpit was blow in and he and the two others buried. The other two were found to be dead. He remounted his gun and carried on under intense shell fire. In the night hours he maintained traversing grazing fire. There until relieved, he fought with only 2 on the gun in spite of hostile shell and Machine Gun fire, snipers and planes.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31
Date: 7 March 1918

Family/military connectionsBrother: 3502 Sergeant Thomas MATHERS, killed in action, 1 September 1918.
Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal