| Regimental number | 160 |
| Place of birth | Hopetown, Victoria |
| School | Nhill State School, Victoria |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Farm labourer |
| Address | Hopetoun, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 24 |
| Height | 5' 9.5" |
| Weight | 140 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, William Matthews, Hope Vale, Hopetoun, Victoria |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Ararat, Victoria |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 39th Battalion, A Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/56/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A11 Ascanius on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 39th Battalion |
| Fate | Died of wounds |
| Place of death or wounding | Messines, Belgium |
| Age at death | 25 |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 25 |
| Place of burial | Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Plot III, Row C, Grave No. 218), France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 131 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: William and Christina MATTHEWS, Hopevale, Victoria |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Melbourne, 27 May 1916; disembarked Devonport, England, 18 July 1916. Proceeded overseas to France, 23 November 1916. Admitted to Divisional Rest Station, 1 December 1916 (erythema), and transferred to 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station; discharged to duty, 12 December 1916; rejoined Bn, 13 December 1916. Admitted to 10th Field Ambulance, 19 December 1916 (mumps); transferred to 1st Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, 20 December 1916; to No 7 General Hospital, St Omer, 21 December 1916; discharged to Base Depot, 10 January 1917; rejoined Bn, 12 January 1917. Wounded in action, 7 June 1917 (bomb wound, right side), and admitted to 11th Casualty Clearing Station. Died of wounds, 8 June 1917. Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, MATTHEWS William James |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
